At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a high-performing engineering team to develop innovative fintech solutions.
- Company: Join Engine by Starling, a fast-growing tech company revolutionising banking.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of innovation, support, and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in fintech while collaborating with talented professionals worldwide.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading teams and delivering complex projects; Java knowledge is a plus.
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 Bank, and a year 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. The Engine 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.
Our technologists are at the very heart of Engine 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 what your primary responsibilities may be; innovation and collaboration will be 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 Engine is to be a self-driven individual and be able to take full ownership of everything around you: from building things, designing, and discovering to sharing knowledge with your colleagues and making sure all processes are efficient and productive to deliver the best possible results for our customers. 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.
We’re looking for Engineers who can lead and inspire teams, collaborating to spearhead the development of the Engine platform for clients all over the world. Engine by Starling engineers are excited about helping us deliver new features, regardless of what their primary tech stack may be.
As a Staff Engineer you will:
- Coach, mentor, and grow a high-performing team, ensuring their well-being as they work on high-impact solutions that bring value to Engine and our customers.
- Have the opportunity to lead multiple complex projects from inception through to run.
- Get hands-on when needed, using your strong system design skills to help the team make smart architectural decisions and unblock complex challenges.
- 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.
- Champion a healthy engineering culture built on continuous improvement, technical excellence, and a focus on the customer.
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.
As a Staff Engineer you will bring the below experience or knowledge:
- Proven experience leading and mentoring high-performing engineering teams.
- 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.
Staff Software Engineer (Team Lead) - Engine by Starling 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 Staff Software Engineer (Team Lead) - Engine by Starling
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Engine by Starling on LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for your interview process. It’s all about making connections!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the technical challenges! Brush up on your system design skills and be ready to discuss how you’ve tackled complex problems in the past. Show us how you can own it and lead your team to success.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just talk about your skills, demonstrate them! If you have a portfolio or GitHub projects, bring them along to showcase your coding prowess. We love seeing what you can do in action!
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, 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 being part of our mission at Engine by Starling.
We think you need these skills to ace Staff Software Engineer (Team Lead) - Engine by Starling
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Tech:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for technology and innovation shine through. We love candidates who are excited about building and creating, so share your experiences that highlight your passion for fintech and software development.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the values and mission of Engine by Starling. Mention how your skills align with our focus on collaboration, ownership, and aiming for greatness. This shows us you understand what we're all about!
Highlight Leadership Experience:As a Staff Software Engineer, you'll be leading teams, so don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills in your application. Share examples of how you've mentored others or led projects to success, as this is key to thriving with us.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our careers page. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our culture and team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Starling
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re familiar with Java and the backend tech stack mentioned in the job description. Brush up on your coding skills and be ready to discuss how you've used these technologies in past projects. Being able to demonstrate your technical knowledge will show that you're serious about the role.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
As a Staff Software Engineer, you'll be expected to lead and mentor teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led projects or coached team members in the past. Highlight your ability to inspire and motivate others, as this aligns with Engine's values of collaboration and ownership.
✨Emphasise Problem-Solving Abilities
Engine is all about innovation and finding elegant solutions to complex problems. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you approached them. This will demonstrate your critical thinking skills and your ability to contribute to the company's mission.
✨Align with Company Values
Familiarise yourself with Engine's core values: Listen, Keep It Simple, Do The Right Thing, Own It, and Aim For Greatness. Think of examples from your experience that reflect these values and be prepared to share them during the interview. This will show that you not only understand the company culture but also fit into it.