At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and maintain backend services using Python, optimising database performance and creating APIs.
- Company: Join a tech-driven digital business with a collaborative and flexible culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy remote work, competitive salary, and monthly office visits covered by the company.
- Other info: Work in a small, agile team with excellent opportunities for learning and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on a high-traffic platform while working with cutting-edge AI tools.
- Qualifications: 4+ years of Python experience and familiarity with relational databases like PostgreSQL.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.
Remote (Ireland / Northern Ireland) | 1 day per month on site
Company Overview
A technology-driven digital business operating a large-scale consumer platform with significant daily user activity. This is a small IT function within a broader organisation, giving you direct visibility into how your work impacts the business in real time. You will see your changes go live, influence product direction, and work closely with key stakeholders across the company. The environment is collaborative and flexible, with a strong emphasis on ownership, autonomy, and practical problem solving.
The Opportunity
This role sits within a lean IT team made up of two developers. You will work closely with the Lead Developer, who also acts as the technical manager, bringing a complementary Python skill set. Beyond engineering, you will collaborate directly with marketing, operations, and the Managing Director, helping translate business needs into technical solutions that drive the company forward. The platform is highly data-driven, so the role is predominantly backend focused, with an approximate split of 80 percent backend and 20 percent frontend. Frontend work is increasingly supported by AI-assisted development tools, making experience with AI-driven workflows essential. This position would suit someone who is comfortable working independently, while also partnering closely with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
What we are looking for
This is an ideal opportunity for a hands-on Python engineer who enjoys solving real-world problems, working with data, and building efficient backend systems. The successful candidate will join a small, collaborative engineering team where flexibility, curiosity, and a willingness to learn are highly valued. The role is primarily backend-focused, with strong emphasis on Python development, data processing, and system performance. You will contribute to the ongoing improvement of a high-traffic web platform, helping to ensure reliability, scalability, and maintainability across the system. The team is particularly interested in engineers who are comfortable using modern AI tools (for example tools similar to Claude or other coding assistants) to enhance productivity, automate workflows, and improve development efficiency.
This position would suit someone who:
- Enjoys working in a small, agile team environment
- Is adaptable and comfortable wearing multiple hats
- Has an interest in data, automation, and system performance
- Takes ownership of problems and proposes practical solutions
- Is motivated to continuously learn and improve
Responsibilities
- Developing and maintaining backend services using Python-based frameworks
- Designing and managing database schemas to support reliable data storage and retrieval
- Writing efficient SQL queries and improving database performance where required
- Building background processing jobs and automated workflows to handle system tasks
- Creating APIs and backend functionality to support user-facing features
- Supporting deployment, monitoring, and reliability of cloud-hosted systems
- Investigating and resolving production issues in a timely manner
- Contributing to system improvements and identifying opportunities to simplify or modernize existing components
- Supporting data-related initiatives, including reporting, analytics, and data movement between systems
- Using AI-assisted tools to streamline development, testing, and troubleshooting activities
Technical Requirements
- 4+ years commercial experience developing applications in Python
- Experience working with relational databases, particularly PostgreSQL
- Ability to write and optimize SQL queries for performance and scalability
- Familiarity with asynchronous processing or background job systems
- Experience building or supporting APIs and backend services
- Understanding of cloud-hosted environments (e.g., AWS or similar platforms)
- Exposure to version control systems and collaborative development practices
- Comfortable working with data pipelines, reporting, or analytics workflows
- Interest in leveraging AI tools to improve development efficiency
Additional Information
Fully remote role within Ireland or Northern Ireland. Monthly visit to the office (one overnight stay, fully covered by the company). Office located approximately one hour north of Dublin. High level of autonomy and direct impact on business outcomes.
Python Software Engineer (Mid to Senior) – Backend Focus in Cardiff employer: Solas IT Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Solas IT Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Python Software Engineer (Mid to Senior) – Backend Focus in Cardiff
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech world, especially those who work in Python or backend development. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a GitHub profile showcasing your Python projects and contributions. This gives potential employers a sneak peek into your coding style and problem-solving abilities, making you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common backend questions and coding challenges. Practice makes perfect, so consider mock interviews with friends or use online platforms to get comfortable with the format.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. Tailor your application to highlight your experience with AI tools and backend systems, and let your passion shine through!
We think you need these skills to ace Python Software Engineer (Mid to Senior) – Backend Focus in Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your Python experience and backend development skills. We want to see how your past work aligns with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing relevant projects!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re excited about this opportunity at StudySmarter and how your skills can help us tackle real-world problems. Keep it engaging and personal.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, mention specific examples where you've solved complex issues or improved system performance. We love candidates who take ownership and propose practical solutions, so let that shine through!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from our team. Plus, we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Solas IT Recruitment
✨Know Your Python Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Python skills before the interview. Be ready to discuss your experience with Python frameworks and how you've used them in past projects. They’ll likely want to hear about specific challenges you faced and how you solved them.
✨Showcase Your Database Skills
Since this role involves working with relational databases, be prepared to talk about your experience with PostgreSQL. Have examples ready of how you've optimised SQL queries or managed database schemas to improve performance.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Mindset
This company values practical problem-solving, so think of real-world scenarios where you took ownership of a challenge. Be ready to explain your thought process and the solutions you implemented, especially in a collaborative environment.
✨Familiarise Yourself with AI Tools
As they’re interested in candidates who can leverage AI tools, make sure you understand how these can enhance development efficiency. Share any experiences you have with AI-assisted workflows and how they’ve improved your coding or testing processes.