At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and implement scalable backend systems for search and recommendation features.
- Company: Join a leading tech firm focused on AI and innovative solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with mentorship and career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make an impact in cutting-edge projects that shape the future of technology.
- Qualifications: Strong Java skills and experience with cloud-native development are essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
A Senior Software Engineer II position within a Search and AI Platform team focused on building scalable, high-performance backend systems that power search, discovery, and recommendation capabilities across large-scale scientific and research products. The role involves designing and implementing graph-based services and distributed systems that support intelligent data traversal, entity relationships, and advanced search functionality.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and implement scalable graph-based search and discovery services
- Build backend systems using Java, Spring Boot, GraphQL, and REST APIs
- Develop and maintain GraphQL federation architectures for distributed systems
- Work with cloud-native infrastructure (AWS, Kubernetes/EKS) to support scalable services
- Integrate with data stores and messaging systems (e.g. Neo4j, DynamoDB, RDS, S3, SQS, SNS, Kinesis)
- Ensure system reliability through monitoring, logging, and performance optimisation (e.g. New Relic, Coralogix)
- Apply clean code principles, SOLID design, and modern software engineering best practices
- Collaborate with product managers, engineers, and cross-functional teams to deliver search and recommendation features
- Contribute to system design discussions and architectural decisions
- Mentor engineers and contribute to engineering standards and best practices
Required Skills & Experience
- Strong experience building scalable backend systems and APIs
- Advanced proficiency in Java and the Spring Boot ecosystem
- Experience with GraphQL and REST API design
- Background in cloud-native development, ideally AWS and Kubernetes (EKS)
- Understanding of distributed systems and microservices architectures
- Strong software engineering fundamentals (clean code, SOLID principles, design patterns, CI/CD)
- Experience working in Agile or iterative delivery environments
- Strong collaboration and communication skills
Nice to Have
- Experience with GraphQL federation (e.g. Apollo Router)
- Exposure to graph data modelling and knowledge graphs
- Familiarity with search systems or AI-driven discovery platforms
- Experience with high-throughput distributed systems
What This Role Focuses On
- Large-scale search and recommendation systems
- Graph-based data modelling and entity relationships
- Cloud-native backend architecture
- High-performance, production-grade software engineering
- Cross-functional product delivery in data-intensive environments
Locations
Senior Software Engineer in City of London, London employer: SoTalent
As a Senior Software Engineer II at our London-based Search and AI Platform team, you will thrive in a dynamic and innovative work culture that prioritises collaboration and continuous learning. We offer flexible hybrid working arrangements, competitive benefits, and ample opportunities for professional growth, ensuring that you can develop your skills while contributing to cutting-edge projects in scalable backend systems. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking company that values your expertise and fosters an environment where your contributions make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer in City of London, London
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at SoTalent or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to SoTalent.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like SoTalent.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like SoTalent that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer in City of London, London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at SoTalent.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at SoTalent and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at SoTalent
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If SoTalent uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
