At a Glance
- Tasks: Build and maintain Python services for a smart meter platform, ensuring reliability and performance.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking tech company with a focus on innovation and teamwork.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Collaborate with a small, experienced team in a dynamic and growth-oriented setting.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by owning your code and contributing to essential services.
- Qualifications: 5+ years of Python experience, strong backend design skills, and AWS knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Senior Software Engineer -Python / Infrastructure
About the role
You'll be building the Python services behind our smart meter platform: the ingestion path that handles MQTT traffic from thousands of deployed devices, the APIs that expose that data, and the internal services that keep it all consistent.
Thousands of live meters depend on this working, so correctness and observability matter more here than shipping fast.
You deploy what you write and you own it once it's live.
The platform runs on a Kubernetes cluster that's stable in production - uptime is typically measured in months, and periodic cluster patching is the main source of downtime.
There's no on-call rota.
In practice, operations is an occasional afternoon rather than a firefighting habit, and the overwhelming majority of your time goes into writing code.
What we're looking for
- 5+ years writing production Python, with a track record of owning services rather than contributing to them
- Strong design instincts for backend services: APIs (Fast API, Flask or similar), async work, data modelling, testing, and handling failure in message-driven systems
- Comfortable in Linux and with Docker; able to deploy your own work to Kubernetes and debug it when it misbehaves
- Working knowledge of AWS (EC2, Dynamo DB, Io T Core or equivalents)
- Comfortable owning a service in production end to end - deploying it, knowing when it unhealthy, and being the person who works out what went wrong
- Able to debug across boundaries: You can work out whether it's the device, the broker, the network, or your code
- Sound judgement working autonomously - you'll often be making calls on your own
- Nice to have
- MQTT or other message brokers, and experience with unreliable or intermittently connected clients
- Time-series data at volume
- Embedded, telemetry, or energy-sector experience
- Profiling and performance work in Python
- Process
- CV review
- A 30-minute call
- A Python exercise based on a realistic message stream, then a conversation about it covering service design and how you'll run and monitor what you've built
- Practical details
- Hybrid working, with regular on-site presence for team collaboration.
- Small team of experienced engineers and supportive managers - not a ticket factory.
- Right to work: You must already have the right to work in the UK.
We are not able to offer visa sponsorship or a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role, and applications requiring sponsorship can't be progressed.
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Senior Software Engineer — Python / Infrastructure employer: Switch2
As a Senior Software Engineer at our company, you'll be part of a dynamic and innovative team dedicated to building robust Python services for our smart meter platform. We pride ourselves on a supportive work culture that values autonomy and encourages personal growth, offering opportunities to take ownership of your projects without the stress of on-call duties. With a hybrid working model and a focus on collaboration, you'll enjoy a balanced work environment that fosters creativity and technical excellence in a thriving sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer — Python / Infrastructure
✨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 Switch2 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 Switch2.
✨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 Switch2.
✨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 Switch2 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 — Python / Infrastructure
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 Switch2.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Switch2 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 Switch2
✨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 Switch2 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.
