At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting projects and build innovative banking solutions with a talented team.
- Company: Join Engine by Starling, a fast-growing tech company transforming global banking.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the banking industry while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Passion for coding and problem-solving; experience in Java is a plus.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with great career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
At Engine by Starling, we are on a mission to find and work with leading banks all around the world who have the ambition to build rapid growth businesses on our technology. Engine is Starling's software-as-a-service (SaaS) business, the technology that was built to power Starling, and two years ago we split out as a separate business. Starling has seen exceptional growth and success, and a large part of that is down to the fact that we have built our own modern technology from the ground up. This SaaS technology platform is now available to banks and financial institutions all around the world, enabling them to benefit from the innovative digital features and efficient back-office processes that have helped achieve Starling's success.
As a company, everyone is expected to roll up their sleeves to help deliver great outcomes for our clients. We are an engineering-led company and we’re looking for people who will be excited by the potential for Engine’s technology to transform banking in different markets around the world. Our purpose is underpinned by five values: Listen, Keep It Simple, Do The Right Thing, Own It, and Aim For Greatness.
Hybrid Working
We have a Hybrid approach to working here at Engine - our preference is that you’re located within a commutable distance of our offices so that we’re able to interact and collaborate in person.
About Engineering at Engine by Starling
We’re looking for Backend Software Engineers to work on the Engine Platform and make our existing features work for banks all over the world as well as building new features from scratch that Starling hasn’t released in the UK market. Engine by Starling engineers are excited about helping us deliver new features, regardless of what their primary tech stack may be.
Day in the Life of a Software Engineer
We are looking for engineers at all levels to join the team. We value people being engaged and caring about customers, caring about the code they write and the contribution they can make to banking around the world. People with a broad ability to apply themselves to a multitude of problems and challenges, who can work across teams do great things here at Engine, to continue changing banking for good.
As a Staff Engineer you will:
- Have the opportunity to lead multiple complex projects from inception through to run
- Be a Technical Leader, whether that be with a team to manage or without
- Take ownership of technical challenges critical to the success of the business
- Identify where existing tooling, applications, or processes can be enhanced and deliver innovative change
- Collaborate with clients, solution architects, product owners, and other engineers to help meet the client goals
- Obtain a wide and varied understanding of how banks operate around the world
- Shape the future capabilities of Engine, including our approach, tooling, automation and architecture
- Lead by example in your contributions to the codebase, setting a high bar for others to aim for
As an Engineer you will:
- Contribute to our award-winning platform and internal tooling
- Build new features and products from scratch in a configurable way
- Share your knowledge with those around you, contributing to our learning culture
- Own your projects, working in small teams across the bank to collaboratively deliver
- Aim for greatness in everything you do, staying curious and inquisitive
- Be part of a scaling team and organisation as we change banking for good
Requirements
We’re open-minded when it comes to hiring and we care more about aptitude and attitude than specific experience or qualifications. We are very open about how we deliver software. For the most part we code in Java, but you need not be an expert when you join us! We believe in clean coding, simple solutions, automated testing and continuous deployment. If you care enough to find elegant solutions to difficult technical problems, we’d love to hear from you.
We have built our entire banking platform in house and mostly in Java. We are looking for people who want to work on building the tooling that is used by our engineers on a daily basis. As a Staff Engineer you will bring the below experience or knowledge:
- Delivering change to critical systems in a distributed environment
- Be a highly proficient developer, maintaining a high standard for technical and coding excellence in the collective, through your own work
- Good understanding of DevOps practices
- Delivering complex outcomes across multiple domains and teams
- Working cross-functionally with technologists from other specialties, and non-technical stakeholders across the business
- Coaching and mentoring members of a team to upskill and develop them in their career
- Leading the technical delivery on large scale projects to successful completion
The main part of our Backend Tech Stack is listed below:
- Java, which makes up the majority of our backend codebase
- AWS & GCP - we’re cloud-native
- Microservice based architecture
- Kubernetes (EKS)
- TeamCity for CI / CD (with multiple production releases per day)
- Terraform and Grafana
Our Interview process
Interviewing is a two-way process and we want you to have the time and opportunity to get to know us, as much as we are getting to know you! Our interviews are conversational and we want to get the best from you, so come with questions and be curious. In general you can expect the below, following a chat with one of our Talent Team:
- Initial interview with an Engineer - ~45 minutes
- Take home technical test to be discussed in the next interview
- Technical interview with some Engineers - ~1.5 hours
- Final interview with our CTO / deputy CTO ~45 minutes
Benefits
- 33 days holiday (including public holidays, which you can take when it works best for you)
- An extra day’s holiday for your birthday
- Annual leave is increased with length of service, and you can choose to buy or sell up to five extra days off
- 16 hours paid volunteering time a year
- Salary sacrifice, company enhanced pension scheme
- Life insurance at 4x your salary & group income protection
- Private Medical Insurance with VitalityHealth including mental health support and cancer care
- Generous family-friendly policies
- Incentives refer a friend scheme
- Perkbox membership giving access to retail discounts, a wellness platform for physical and mental health, and weekly free and boosted perks
- Access to initiatives like Cycle to Work, Salary Sacrificed Gym partnerships and Electric Vehicle (EV) leasing
About Us
You may be put off applying for a role because you don't tick every box. Forget that! While we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’re always open to discussion. So, if you’re excited about working with us, but aren’t sure if you’re 100% there yet, get in touch anyway. We’re on a mission to radically reshape banking – and that starts with our brilliant team. Whatever came before, we’re proud to bring together people of all backgrounds and experiences who love working together to solve problems. Engine by Starling is an equal opportunity employer, and we’re proud of our ongoing efforts to foster diversity & inclusion in the workplace.
Staff Software Engineer - Engine by Starling in London employer: Starling
Contact Detail:
Starling Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Staff Software Engineer - Engine by Starling in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, dive into Engine by Starling's values and mission. This will help you align your answers with what they care about, showing that you're not just a fit for the role, but for the team too.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare some thoughtful questions! Interviews are a two-way street, so think of questions that show your curiosity about their tech stack or how they tackle challenges. This not only helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you but also impresses them with your engagement.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your problem-solving skills! Be ready to discuss past projects where you tackled complex issues. Use specific examples to illustrate how you approached challenges and what innovative solutions you implemented—Engine loves a can-do attitude!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, shoot a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that keeps you on their radar and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great way to reiterate your interest in joining the team!
We think you need these skills to ace Staff Software Engineer - Engine by Starling in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to show your passion for tech and how you can contribute to our mission.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with what we're looking for. Mention specific projects or technologies that relate to our work at Engine by Starling.
Show Your Curiosity: We love candidates who are curious and eager to learn! In your application, share examples of how you've tackled challenges or learned new skills in your previous roles. It shows us you're ready to grow with us.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of getting noticed, make sure to apply directly through our website. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for the role you’re excited about!
How to prepare for a job interview at Starling
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Familiarise yourself with the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Java, AWS, and Kubernetes. Even if you're not an expert, showing that you understand these tools and how they fit into the bigger picture will impress the interviewers.
✨Embrace the Values
Engine by Starling has five core values: Listen, Keep It Simple, Do The Right Thing, Own It, and Aim For Greatness. Be prepared to discuss how you've embodied these values in your previous work experiences. This shows that you align with their culture and are ready to contribute positively.
✨Prepare for Technical Challenges
Expect to tackle a technical test and discuss it in detail during your interviews. Brush up on your problem-solving skills and be ready to explain your thought process clearly. This is your chance to showcase your coding abilities and how you approach complex challenges.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street, so come armed with questions about the team dynamics, project goals, and company culture. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if Engine by Starling is the right fit for you.