At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our ML Projects team to design and implement cutting-edge machine learning features.
- Company: Starling Bank, the UK's first digital bank, revolutionising banking with technology.
- Benefits: 33 days holiday, paid volunteering, private medical insurance, and family-friendly policies.
- Other info: Enjoy a hybrid work environment and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in fintech while working with innovative technologies and a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Skilled in software engineering with experience in building complex systems and clean coding.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About Company
Starling is the UK's first and leading digital bank on a mission to fix banking! We built a new kind of bank because we knew technology had the power to help people save, spend and manage their money in a new and transformative way. We're a fully licensed UK bank with the culture and spirit of a fast‑moving, disruptive tech company. We employ more than 3,000 people across our London, Southampton, Cardiff, and Manchester offices. Our technologists are at the very heart of Starling and enjoy working in a fast‑paced environment that is all about building things, creating new stuff, and disruptive technology that keeps us on the cutting edge of fintech. We operate a flat structure to empower you to make decisions regardless of your primary responsibilities, and innovation and collaboration are at the core of everything you do. Help is never far away in our open culture; you will find support in your team and from across the business, we are in this together. The way to thrive and shine within Starling is to be a self‑driven individual and take full ownership of everything around you, from building and designing to sharing knowledge and ensuring efficient processes that deliver the best possible results for our customers. Our purpose is underpinned by five Starling values: Listen, Keep It Simple, Do The Right Thing, Own It, and Aim For Greatness.
Hybrid Working
We have a hybrid approach to working at Starling. Our preference is that you are located within a commutable distance of one of our offices so that we can collaborate in person.
Our Data Environment
The Data teams are aligned to divisions covering Banking Services & Products, Customer Identity & Financial Crime and Data & ML Engineering. They deliver meaningful and impactful insights to both the business and more importantly our customers.
About the Role
The ML Projects team is at the forefront of bringing cutting‑edge machine learning to the core of what we do at Starling. As a software engineer you will work with other engineers and data scientists to design, implement and maintain features that use machine learning models under the hood. This could mean creating a brand‑new ML‑powered feature from scratch or seamlessly integrating a new model into our core banking platform. You may design robust infrastructure and pipelines or discover a completely new approach to a complex problem. We empower engineers to take ownership and drive solutions from ideation to launch. You will have the autonomy to shape your own path, identify challenges, and collaborate across teams to deliver impactful solutions across technologies.
Requirements
- Skilled software engineer who thrives on building and scaling complex systems.
- Proven track record of delivering robust, multi‑technology applications within an enterprise environment.
- Experience with clean coding, simple solutions, automated testing and continuous deployment.
- Familiarity with the following stack (experience not required in all areas but preferred): Python, Java, JavaScript/React, Postgres and SQL, AWS & GCP, TeamCity CI/CD, Terraform, Prometheus, and Grafana.
- Domain knowledge of generative AI and LLMs is a plus.
Interview Process
- Stage 1 – 45 minutes with one of the team.
- Stage 2 – Take‑home challenge.
- Stage 3 – 90‑minute technical interview with two team members.
- Stage 4 – 45‑minute final interview with two executives.
Benefits
- 33 days holiday (including public holidays), with an extra day for your birthday.
- Annual leave increases with length of service, and you can buy or sell up to five extra days.
- 16 hours paid volunteering time a year.
- Salary sacrifice, company‑enhanced pension scheme.
- Life insurance at 4× your salary and group income protection.
- Private medical insurance with mental health support and cancer care.
- Generous family‑friendly policies.
- Perkbox membership for retail discounts and wellness platform.
- Access to initiatives such as Cycle to Work, Salary Sacrificed Gym partnerships, and Electric Vehicle leasing.
About Us
We are on a mission to radically reshape banking. We welcome people of all backgrounds and experiences who love working together to solve problems.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Starling Bank is an equal opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment without regard to race, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, ancestry, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Software Engineer (ML Projects) employer: Starling
Starling Bank is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture, empowering software engineers to take ownership of their projects and collaborate across teams. With a strong focus on employee growth, generous benefits including 33 days of holiday, and a commitment to work-life balance through hybrid working arrangements, Starling provides a supportive environment where you can thrive while contributing to the future of banking.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineer (ML Projects)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know Starling's culture and values! Before your interview, dive into what makes us tick. Familiarise yourself with our mission to reshape banking and how we value innovation and collaboration. This will help you connect your skills to our goals.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your technical skills! Since you'll be working on ML projects, brush up on your coding and problem-solving abilities. Consider doing mock interviews or coding challenges to get comfortable with the types of questions you might face.
✨Tip Number 3
Show us your passion for machine learning! Be ready to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially those that demonstrate your ability to innovate and take ownership. We love seeing candidates who are excited about pushing boundaries.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team. Don’t forget to follow up after applying; a little nudge can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineer (ML Projects)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Tech:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for technology and innovation shine through. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely excited about building and creating new solutions, especially in the fintech space!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with our job description. Mention specific technologies you've worked with, like Python or AWS, and how they relate to the role you're applying for.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on communicating your ideas effectively. Remember, less is often more when it comes to written applications!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at Starling!
How to prepare for a job interview at Starling
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Familiarise yourself with the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Python, Java, and SQL. Be ready to discuss your experience with these tools and how you've used them in past projects. This shows you’re not just a fit for the role but also genuinely interested in what they do.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss specific challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you tackled them. Starling values innovation and ownership, so highlight instances where you took initiative to solve complex problems, especially in machine learning or software engineering.
✨Embrace the Culture
Understand Starling's values: Listen, Keep It Simple, Do The Right Thing, Own It, and Aim For Greatness. Think of examples from your experience that align with these values and be ready to share them during the interview. This will demonstrate that you’re a cultural fit and can thrive in their environment.
✨Prepare for Technical Challenges
Since there’s a take-home challenge and a technical interview, brush up on your coding skills and be prepared to explain your thought process. Practice coding problems related to machine learning and system design, as this will help you feel more confident and articulate during the technical discussions.
