At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead projects and build innovative features for our award-winning platform.
- Company: Join Engine by Starling, a pioneering tech company transforming banking.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fintech space with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Passion for coding in Java and a collaborative mindset are key.
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 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. We have built a modern technology platform that is now available to banks and financial institutions worldwide, enabling innovative digital features and efficient back-office processes. We are an engineering-led company that values: Listen, Keep It Simple, Do The Right Thing, Own It, and Aim For Greatness.
Responsibilities
- Lead projects or functional areas/domains within the Engine team and platform.
- Contribute to our award-winning platform and internal tooling.
- Build new features and products from scratch in a configurable way.
- Share 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 as we change banking for good.
Requirements
We are open-minded about hiring; we care more about aptitude and attitude than specific experience or qualifications. We primarily code in Java, but you need not be an expert when you join. We value clean coding, simple solutions, automated testing, and continuous deployment. If you care to find elegant solutions to difficult technical problems, we’d love to hear from you. We have built our entire banking platform in house, mostly in Java, and seek people who want to work on the tooling used by engineers daily. The main Backend Tech Stack includes, but is not limited to:
- Java
- AWS & GCP (cloud-native)
- Microservice-based architecture
- Kubernetes (EKS)
- TeamCity for CI / CD (multiple production releases per day)
- Terraform and Grafana
Interview Process
Interviewing is a two-way process and we want you to have time to get to know us as much as we are getting to know you. The process is conversational, with questions and curiosity welcomed. Typical steps include:
- Initial interview with an Engineer – 45 minutes
- Take-home technical task to discuss 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)
- Extra day off for your birthday
- Annual leave increases with length of service; option to buy or sell up to five extra days
- 16 hours paid volunteering time per 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
- Partner benefits discounts (Waitrose, Mr & Mrs Smith, Peloton)
- Generous family-friendly policies
- Referral incentives
- Perkbox with retail discounts and wellness benefits
- Cycle to Work, salary-sacrificed gym partnerships, EV leasing
About Us
You may be put off applying for a role because you don’t tick every box. We’re open to flexible working discussions where possible. Engine by Starling is an equal opportunity employer, fostering diversity and inclusion. Applications are considered without regard to race, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, disability, military status, or any other characteristic protected by law. By applying, you consent to data processing for recruiting and related purposes as described in our Privacy Notice. Engine by Starling and Starling collect your personal data for recruiting purposes in accordance with our Privacy Notice.
Senior Software Engineer - Java - Engine by Starling in Southampton employer: Starling
Starling is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation, making it an ideal place for engineers to thrive. With a hybrid working model, employees enjoy flexibility while benefiting from comprehensive support for professional growth and development. The positive work environment, coupled with a commitment to clean coding practices, ensures that team members are empowered to tackle complex challenges and contribute meaningfully to the future of banking.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer - Java - Engine by Starling in Southampton
✨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 Starling 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 Starling.
✨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 Starling.
✨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 Starling 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 - Java - Engine by Starling in Southampton
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 Starling.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Starling 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 Starling
✨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 Starling 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.
