Senior Backend Engineer, Subscriptions in London

Senior Backend Engineer, Subscriptions in London

London Full-Time 70000 - 90000 € / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Spotify AB

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and build scalable Java services for Spotify's merchandising platform.
  • Company: Join Spotify, a leader in music streaming with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Flexible work options, competitive salary, extensive learning opportunities, and global parental leave.
  • Other info: Inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives and offers excellent career growth.
  • Why this job: Make an impact on millions of users while working with cutting-edge technology.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in backend systems, strong Java skills, and experience with cloud services.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.

The Subscriptions Mission builds and scales the products, platforms, and business models that convert free listeners into lifelong Premium subscribers. We focus on driving acquisition, optimizing conversion, improving retention, and delivering seamless commerce experiences that fuel Spotify’s growth and bring fans closer to the creators they love. At Spotify, our Subscriptions data powers the decision engines and experiences behind our 700M+ Monthly Active Users and 290M+ Premium subscribers. You’ll join a collaborative, cross‑functional team focused on building the systems that power merchandising, personalization, and seamless subscription experiences at global scale. Together, we shape how users discover value and choose to stay with Spotify.

What You Will Do

  • Design, build, and run scalable Java services that power our merchandising platform and support conversion and upsell journeys.
  • Work closely with your squad to design backend systems, APIs, and data models on Google Cloud Platform.
  • Partner with product managers, data scientists, and engineers to solve meaningful technical challenges.
  • Improve and scale data pipelines that support experimentation, heuristics, and machine learning applications.
  • Contribute to architecture decisions that improve reliability, performance, and long‑term maintainability.
  • Support production systems end‑to‑end, ensuring services are observable, reliable, and continuously improving.
  • Share knowledge through code reviews and collaboration, helping strengthen the team’s technical practices.

Who You Are

  • You have 5+ years of experience building backend systems using Java.
  • You have strong computer science fundamentals and experience working with distributed systems at scale.
  • You have experience designing and operating cloud‑native services (e.g., GCP or AWS).
  • You are comfortable designing APIs and working with partners to translate needs into scalable solutions.
  • You have experience running high‑volume services in production and understand reliability, observability, and performance.
  • You collaborate effectively with cross‑functional teams and take ownership of complex work from idea to delivery.
  • You seek feedback, learn continuously, and look for ways to improve systems and how teams work together.
  • You have experience with technologies such as gRPC, BigQuery, Bigtable, CMS integrations, or ML‑driven systems.

Where You Will Be

This role is based in London, England or Stockholm, Sweden. We offer you the flexibility to work where you work best! There will be some in‑person meetings, but still allows for flexibility to work from home.

Spotify is an equal opportunity employer. You are welcome at Spotify for who you are, no matter where you come from, what you look like, or what’s playing in your headphones. Our platform is for everyone, and so is our workplace. The more voices we have represented and amplified in our business, the more we will all thrive, contribute, and be forward‑thinking! So bring us your personal experience, your perspectives, and your background. It’s in our differences that we will find the power to keep revolutionizing the way the world listens.

At Spotify, we are passionate about inclusivity and making sure our entire recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We have ways to request reasonable accommodations during the interview process and help assist in what you need. If you need accommodations at any stage of the application or interview process, please let us know - we’re here to support you in any way we can.

Extensive learning opportunities, through our dedicated team, GreenHouse. Flexible share incentives letting you choose how you share in our success. Global parental leave, six months off - for all new parents. All The Feels, our employee assistance program and self‑care hub. Flexible public holidays, swap days off according to your values and beliefs.

Senior Backend Engineer, Subscriptions in London employer: Spotify AB

At Spotify, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions inclusivity and collaboration. Our London and Stockholm offices provide a dynamic environment where Senior Backend Engineers can thrive, with extensive learning opportunities, flexible working arrangements, and generous parental leave policies. Join us to contribute to innovative projects that impact millions while enjoying a supportive atmosphere that values your unique perspectives and growth.

Spotify AB

Contact Detail:

Spotify AB Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Backend Engineer, Subscriptions in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former Spotify employees on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for the technical interview by brushing up on your Java skills and cloud services. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using platforms that simulate real interview scenarios to get comfortable.

Tip Number 3

Showcase your projects! If you've built any scalable systems or worked on interesting APIs, make sure to discuss them during your interviews. We love seeing how you’ve tackled challenges and what you’ve learned along the way.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Spotify.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Backend Engineer, Subscriptions in London

Java
Cloud-Native Services
Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
API Design
Distributed Systems
High-Volume Services
Reliability Engineering

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Senior Backend Engineer role. Highlight your Java expertise and any experience with cloud-native services like GCP or AWS. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for building scalable systems and how your background aligns with our goals at Spotify. Let us know why you're excited about the opportunity to work on our Subscriptions Mission.

Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on relevant projects, don’t hold back! Include links to your GitHub or any other portfolio showcasing your backend systems, APIs, or data models. We love seeing real examples of your work and how you tackle technical challenges.

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’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Spotify!

How to prepare for a job interview at Spotify AB

Know Your Tech Stack

Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Java and cloud platforms like GCP or AWS. Brush up on your experience with distributed systems and be ready to discuss how you've designed and operated scalable services.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Prepare to share specific examples of how you've tackled complex technical challenges in the past. Think about times when you collaborated with product managers or data scientists to create effective solutions, and be ready to explain your thought process.

Understand the Business Impact

Since this role focuses on converting free listeners into Premium subscribers, it’s crucial to understand how backend systems influence user experience and business growth. Be prepared to discuss how your work can drive acquisition and improve retention.

Emphasise Collaboration

This position requires working closely with cross-functional teams, so highlight your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you’ve contributed to code reviews or helped strengthen team practices, showing that you value collaboration and continuous learning.