At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead backend projects, improve features, and innovate banking technology.
- Company: Join Engine by Starling, a dynamic SaaS company transforming global banking.
- Benefits: 33 days holiday, private medical insurance, and generous family-friendly policies.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in banking while working with cutting-edge tech.
- Qualifications: Proficient in Java and experienced in delivering complex projects.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
At Engine by Starling, we are on a mission to find and work with leading banks around the world who aspire to build rapid‑growth businesses using our technology. Engine is Starling’s SaaS business. Two years ago we split out into a separate company. Our platform powers Starling and is now available to banks and financial institutions globally, enabling them to benefit from innovative digital features and efficient back‑office processes.
Hybrid Working
We prefer you to be within a commutable distance of our offices so we can collaborate in person.
About Engineering at Engine by Starling
We are looking for Backend Software Engineers to work on the Engine Platform – improving existing features for banks worldwide and building new features that Starling hasn’t released in the UK market. Engine engineers are excited about delivering new features, regardless of their primary tech stack. We value engagement, customer focus, clean code, and meaningful contributions to banking worldwide.
Day in the Life of a Software Engineer
- Run a backend team
- Check out our shiny new Engineering careers page
Staff Engineer Responsibilities
- Lead multiple complex projects from inception through to run
- Act as a technical leader, with or without a team
- Take ownership of technical challenges critical to the business
- Identify and deliver innovative changes to tooling, applications, and processes
- Collaborate with clients, solution architects, product owners, and engineers to meet client goals
- Gain a wide understanding of how banks operate globally
- Shape future capabilities of Engine – tooling, automation, architecture
- Lead by example in code contributions, setting a high bar for others
Engineer Responsibilities
- Contribute to our award‑winning platform and internal tooling
- Build new features and products from scratch in a configurable way
- Share knowledge, fostering a learning culture
- Own projects, working in small teams across the bank to deliver collaboratively
- Aim for greatness, staying curious and inquisitive
- Be part of a scaling team and organisation as we change banking for good
Requirements
- High proficiency in Java or related backend languages
- Ability to deliver change to critical systems in a distributed environment
- Strong coding standards, automated testing and continuous deployment practices
- Good understanding of DevOps practices
- Experience delivering complex outcomes across multiple domains and teams
- Cross‑functional collaboration with technologists and non‑technical stakeholders
- Coaching and mentoring ability, upskilling teammates
- Leading technical delivery on large‑scale projects to success
Backend Tech Stack
- Java – core backend language
- AWS & GCP – cloud native
- Microservices architecture
- Kubernetes (EKS)
- TeamCity for CI/CD with multiple releases per day
- Terraform and Grafana
Interview Process
- Initial interview with an engineer – 45 minutes
- Take‑home technical test discussed in the next interview
- Technical interview with other engineers – 1.5 hours
- Final interview with CTO or deputy CTO – 45 minutes
Benefits
- 33 days holiday (including public holidays)
- Extra day off for birthday
- Annual leave increases with length of service; buy/sell up to five extra days
- 16 hours paid volunteering time per year
- Salary sacrifice, company‑enhanced pension scheme
- Life insurance at 4 × salary & group income protection
- Private medical insurance with VitalityHealth, mental health support and cancer care; partner benefits include discounts with Waitrose, Mr & Mrs Smith and Peloton
- Generous family‑friendly policies
- Referral scheme incentives
- Perkbox membership providing retail discounts, wellness platform, weekly perks
- Access to initiatives like Cycle to Work, salary‑sacrificed gym partnerships and electric vehicle leasing
About Us
Engine by Starling values diversity and inclusion. We celebrate people from all backgrounds and experiences who love working together to solve problems, even if they don’t tick every box. While we can’t meet every flexible working request, we remain open to discussion. Engine by Starling is an equal‑opportunity employer. All candidates are considered without regard to race, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, ancestry, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Staff Software Engineer - Engine by Starling in Southampton employer: Starling
Engine by Starling is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, empowering staff to lead complex projects and make meaningful contributions to the banking sector. With generous benefits such as 33 days of holiday, a supportive family-friendly environment, and opportunities for professional growth through coaching and mentoring, employees are encouraged to thrive both personally and professionally. Located within a commutable distance for hybrid working, Engine offers a unique chance to be part of a rapidly growing SaaS business that is transforming banking on a global scale.
