At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead backend projects, enhance stability, and standardise processes across engineering teams.
- Company: Join Synthesia, a leading AI video platform trusted by top brands.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, stock options, 25 days leave, and flexible remote work options.
- Other info: Work with cutting-edge AI technology and contribute to ethical AI practices.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI innovation and make a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in software engineering with leadership experience in high-performing teams.
Synthesia is the world’s leading AI video platform for business, used by over 90% of the Fortune 100. Founded in 2017, the company is headquartered in London, with offices and teams across Europe and the US. As AI continues to shape the way we live and work, Synthesia develops products to enhance visual communication and enterprise skill development, helping people work better and stay at the center of successful organizations.
Following our recent Series E funding round, where we raised $200 million, our valuation stands at $4 billion. Our total funding exceeds $530 million from premier investors including Accel, NVentures (Nvidia's VC arm), Kleiner Perkins, GV, and Evantic Capital, alongside the founders and operators of Stripe, Datadog, Miro, and Webflow.
About the role: You will focus on friction points around primarily backend issues for all teams in Engineering (90 Engineers). How should we do inter-service testing? Some teams are using monorepo, others aren’t. How can we bring overall stability up? Generally steering BE in the right direction. In the near future, standardising things across all of Engineering and bringing R&D teams (another 40 Engineers and Researchers) closer.
You will have ownership of projects that span quarters, requiring you to have the ability to break a problem down into small steps that can be delivered and validated iteratively. You will evaluate your own work, leveraging our data pipeline and frameworks that we have established to understand the impact your features have on our commercial objectives and pivoting where necessary. You will consider the long-term direction of Engineering, making sure that we are developing the engineering capabilities that will allow us to stay ahead of the challenges we are likely to encounter in 12-18 months' time. You will work end-to-end, from our client application written in React to our monolithic backend written in Python, and lead projects that span across multiple teams.
What we're looking for:
- At least ten (10) years of experience as a software engineer, at least 2 at the Senior Staff/Principal level (L7+).
- Previous leadership experience in driving projects across multiple teams (50+ Engineers).
- Experience in a high-performing engineering Org that is operating at scale. This could come from a scale-up environment or a more established organization recognised for building and shipping with a great engineering culture.
- An ability to work across the stack, with deep knowledge on server side and all things back end related.
- Relevant engineering experience for a team building an enterprise-grade SaaS product. Extra points for delivering AI-powered video generation product, billing systems, experimentation platforms, video delivery systems, online editors, real-time collaboration and so on.
- Strong alignment with commercial success.
Why join us? We’re living the golden age of AI. The next decade will yield the next iconic companies, and we dare to say we have what it takes to become one.
Our culture: At Synthesia we’re passionate about building, not talking, planning or politicising. We strive to hire the smartest, kindest and most unrelenting people and let them do their best work without distractions. Our work principles serve as our charter for how we make decisions, give feedback and structure our work to empower everyone to go as fast as possible.
Serving 50,000+ customers (and 50% of the Fortune 500): We’re trusted by leading brands such as Heineken, Zoom, Xerox, McDonald’s and more.
Proprietary AI technology: Since 2017, we’ve been pioneering advancements in Generative AI. Our AI technology is built in-house, by a team of world-class AI researchers and engineers.
AI Safety, Ethics and Security: AI safety, ethics, and security are fundamental to our mission. While the full scope of Artificial Intelligence's impact on our society is still unfolding, our position is clear: People first. Always.
Other important info: Our preference is for this role to be based either in-office or remote in the following locations: UK, Germany, Switzerland or Ireland. We may also be able to support remote workers in other locations across Europe subject to compliance and right to work checks. The salary starts at EUR/GBP/CHF 200.000 base + stock option plan. This is full-time employment only - no contractors possible - usually through OysterHR. Everyone at Synthesia gets 25 days of leave + local holidays (no extra paid or unpaid leave possible). We only sponsor VISA if you are in the UK/EU country already and need support - we do not relocate people.
Principal Backend Engineer in London employer: Synthesia
At Synthesia, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to excel in their roles. With a strong focus on AI advancements and a commitment to ethical practices, we offer exceptional growth opportunities and the chance to work alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry. Our London headquarters provides a vibrant environment where creativity thrives, and our competitive benefits package, including a generous salary and stock options, ensures that our team members are well-rewarded for their contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Backend Engineer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Synthesia on LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for the interview process. It’s all about making connections!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your backend skills. Focus on Python and system design, as these are crucial for the role. Practice coding challenges and be ready to discuss your past projects in detail.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership experience! Be ready to share examples of how you've driven projects across teams. Highlight your ability to break down complex problems and lead teams towards successful outcomes.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Synthesia team. Let’s get you that interview!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Backend Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal Backend Engineer role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in backend systems and leadership across multiple teams. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Projects:When detailing your past projects, focus on those that demonstrate your ability to drive engineering initiatives and improve stability. We love seeing concrete examples of how you've tackled challenges and delivered results in a high-performing environment.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experience and achievements. We appreciate brevity, so make every word count while still showcasing your expertise!
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 on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Synthesia
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Python and React. Brush up on your backend knowledge and be ready to discuss how you've tackled similar challenges in previous roles.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Prepare examples of your past leadership experiences, particularly those involving cross-team projects. Highlight how you’ve driven initiatives that improved engineering processes or stability, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Understand the Company’s Vision
Familiarise yourself with Synthesia's mission and values, especially their focus on AI ethics and safety. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company’s engineering culture and future challenges. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
