Senior Backend Engineer in London

Senior Backend Engineer in London

London Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Ten Eleven Ventures

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and build secure backend services in a dynamic, AI-driven environment.
  • Company: Join Harmonic Security, a pioneering team redefining cybersecurity.
  • Benefits: Competitive pay, equity, flexible work, and generous PTO.
  • Other info: Be part of a small, innovative team that values creativity and growth.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of cybersecurity while working with cutting-edge technology.
  • Qualifications: 3-5+ years in backend development, strong Java skills, and a passion for security.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

Harmonic Security lets teams adopt AI tools safely by protecting sensitive data in real time with minimal effort. It gives enterprises full control and stops leaks so that their teams can innovate confidently. We are led by cybersecurity experts and backed by top investors including N47, Ten Eleven Ventures, and In-Q-Tel. We have achieved early traction and product-market fit with a world-class team, and we are now focused on building a category-defining company. This is your opportunity to join us early and shape not just a product, but a category.

How We Work:

AI-First by Design. Harmonic exists to help enterprises adopt AI safely and at scale. We hold ourselves to that same standard. Everyone here actively leverages AI tools to perform their best work — from deep research and writing to building robust processes and automating complex workflows. We expect every new hire to bring a genuine curiosity for AI and a commitment to using it to work smarter, faster, and with greater creativity. For some, this involves tinkering and remaining open to emerging tools; for others, it means architecting entirely new systems with AI at the core. We will be transparent about expectations for every role and provide the tools and support needed for you to thrive.

About the Team

Our Product Delivery team is the engine that turns vision into impact. We ship early and often, getting valuable features into the hands of customers quickly and iterating from there. We work in the open by default, sharing progress and ideas, and we trust each other to own outcomes. We’re a small but mighty crew where every person plays a critical role and we’re committed to using AI to work smarter and faster.

About the Role

We’re looking for a Backend Engineer who has an appreciation for all things security and system interconnectivity. This is a very hands-on technical role where you will be responsible for designing, building and maintaining scalable integrations between our core applications, identity providers and data security platforms.

What You Will Do

  • Own deliveries and features from start to finish
  • Design, build, and own backend services in a microservices-based, event-driven architecture
  • Implement core domain logic that drives key product workflows and system behavior
  • Ingest and process high-volume usage and event data from customer-facing endpoints
  • Build backend services that support operational, analytics, and reporting use cases
  • Model, persist, and manage domain data, enabling querying, filtering, and lifecycle management
  • Expose well-designed APIs and webhooks consumed by customers, UIs, and external systems
  • Power customer-facing UI experiences by providing backend APIs for visibility, analytics, and configuration

What You Bring

  • 3–5+ years of professional software engineering experience building backend services and distributed systems in the Java ecosystem (Java, Spring Boot, Maven/Gradle)
  • Strong understanding of event-driven architectures, asynchronous processing patterns, messaging systems, and distributed system design
  • Proven experience designing and maintaining RESTful APIs, web hooks, and service-to-service integrations
  • Comfortable operating in AWS, GCP, or Azure environments and working with modern observability tooling, logging, and monitoring platforms
  • A track record of delivering performant, reliable and scalable applications
  • Excellent collaboration and communication skills in cross-functional teams

You Might Be a Fit if You

  • Have experience building products in cybersecurity, identity, governance, compliance, data protection, or enterprise SaaS environments
  • Understand not just how to build systems, but why architectural decisions matter
  • Can balance scalability, reliability, maintainability, and speed of execution
  • Think critically about security, observability, and operational excellence from day one
  • Love the idea of blending software development, distributed systems and data-intensive applications
  • Strong familiarity with authentication and identity technologies such as OAuth, OpenID Connect (OIDC), SAML, SCIM, Entra ID (Azure AD), Okta, or other enterprise identity providers
  • Thrive in fast-paced startup environments where ambiguity is the norm
  • Enjoy shaping culture and engineering practices, not just writing code
  • Leverage AI tools as an engineer to help you build smarter, faster and better

Why Join Us

This isn’t just a job; it’s an opportunity to be part of a team that is redefining cybersecurity. We believe today’s talent is tomorrow’s success, and we’re committed to creating an environment where you can do the best work of your life.

  • Competitive pay and meaningful equity with a direct stake in Harmonic’s success
  • Comprehensive benefits, pension plan, generous PTO, and flexible hybrid work
  • A small, passionate team that values transparency, creativity, and learning
  • Thoughtful leadership that cares deeply about growth, impact, and people
  • Annual global off-sites (past trips include Lisbon and Nashville)
  • The chance to directly shape both our product and our culture as we build a category-defining company

Harmonic's Core Values

  • Flourish in the Unknown: We embrace new, unfamiliar situations that require initiative and rapid decision-making. We orient ourselves quickly and deliver results with minimal guidance.
  • Never Full: We raise our hands, take on challenges, and assist others whenever possible. We hunger for opportunities to learn and do more.
  • Perfect Harmony: We support one another to create cohesion and unity. We collaborate openly, share feedback honestly, and help everyone produce their best work.

Senior Backend Engineer in London employer: Ten Eleven Ventures

Harmonic Security is an exceptional employer that empowers its team to redefine cybersecurity through innovative AI solutions. With a strong focus on employee growth, competitive compensation, and a flexible hybrid work environment, we foster a culture of transparency, creativity, and collaboration. Join us in shaping not just a product, but a category, while enjoying unique benefits like annual global off-sites and a commitment to your professional development.

Ten Eleven Ventures

Contact Details:

Ten Eleven Ventures Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Backend Engineer in London

Get Involved in the Cybersecurity Community

Diving into the cybersecurity community is key for landing that full-time gig. Join forums like Reddit's r/cybersecurity or attend local meetups to connect with industry veterans and other job seekers. Networking is everything in this field—don’t just be a passive lurker!

Show Off Your Skills with Capture the Flag Competitions

Participate in Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions; these are not just a fun way to boost your skills but also a chance to showcase your talent to potential employers. Many companies, including Ten Eleven Ventures, love seeing candidates who actively engage in these challenges.

Tailor Your Online Presence

Make sure your LinkedIn and any professional profiles reflect your cybersecurity expertise. Share your projects, whether they’re personal or from a previous role, to catch the eye of hiring managers. This is how they’ll find your passion and commitment to the field!

Apply Directly Through Ten Eleven Ventures

Don’t forget to head straight to our website and check out any openings for cybersecurity roles at Ten Eleven Ventures. Applying directly can sometimes give you an edge, especially if you can mention that you've been following our work or engaging in the community.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Backend Engineer in London

Java
Spring Boot
Maven
Gradle
Event-Driven Architecture
Asynchronous Processing
Messaging Systems

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show off your technical skills:In cybersecurity, it's crucial to highlight your technical prowess. Make sure your CV showcases specific skills like network security, penetration testing, or threat analysis. If you have relevant certifications (like CEH or CISSP), pop those on the front page to grab attention!

Tailor your portfolio for the role:Even for a full-time role, a portfolio can set you apart. If you've worked on any cybersecurity projects—be it CTF challenges, security assessments, or research papers—include these in your application. This demonstrates not just your skills, but also your hands-on experience!

Use real-world examples:When writing your cover letter, don’t just stick to your qualifications. Share real-world examples of how you’ve tackled security issues or vulnerabilities. This gives the hiring team at Ten Eleven Ventures insight into your practical problem-solving abilities and makes your application memorable.

Demonstrate your passion for cybersecurity:Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, so show us that you’re always learning! Mention any recent courses, webinars, or industry events you’ve attended. This not only exhibits your enthusiasm but also signals to Ten Eleven Ventures that you’re committed to staying ahead in the game.

How to prepare for a job interview at Ten Eleven Ventures

Sharpen Your Technical Skills

For a role in cybersecurity, it’s essential to be up-to-date with the latest tools and techniques. Brush up on your knowledge of firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and vulnerability assessment tools. Be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you’ve applied these skills, as hands-on experience can really set us apart in interviews.

Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect the interviewers at Ten Eleven Ventures to throw in some hypothetical situations to see how you’d handle them. Think about common security breaches or incidents and be prepared to explain how you would respond. This not only shows your problem-solving skills but also your understanding of real-world cybersecurity challenges.

Highlight Your Certifications

Certifications like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CEH can give you a significant edge in a full-time role in cybersecurity. Make sure to mention these during your interview and be prepared to discuss what you learned through those certifications and how they relate to the position at Ten Eleven Ventures.

Show Your Passion for Cybersecurity

Since you’re going for a full-time gig, showing genuine enthusiasm for the field can make all the difference. Share any personal projects, blogs, or communities you’re part of that relate to cybersecurity. This not only showcases your passion but also your commitment to staying engaged in this ever-evolving field.