At a Glance
- Tasks: Build and maintain scalable backend services using Python in a dynamic team environment.
- Company: Join Signal Ocean, a leader in AI-driven intelligence for shipping and commodities.
- Benefits: Generous pay, health insurance, hybrid work, and personal learning budget.
- Other info: Enjoy regular team bonding events and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make an impact with cutting-edge tech while collaborating with experts in the field.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in software engineering, strong Python skills, and problem-solving abilities.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About Signal Ocean: Signal Ocean is the technology arm of the Signal Group, providing market-leading advanced machine learning and AI-driven intelligence to shipping and commodities professionals worldwide. Our platform delivers tailored, exclusive insights through web, mobile, and API interfaces, enabling clients to make faster, better-informed commercial decisions. Signal Ocean has recently acquired AXSMarine, a business with over 25 years of experience in the freight and commodities space - and is actively integrating the two companies. The combined business now offers the most comprehensive suite of freight market intelligence available, and we are actively building the team to realise the full potential of the integration.
About the role: As the Signal Ocean Platform continues to grow, we’re expanding our engineering team. We’re looking for a Software Engineer capable of building and maintaining scalable back-end data services (primarily in Python) within the Modelling & Data Services team. Signal’s Software Engineers work closely with data science, design, product, and business analysis professionals to develop robust solutions for the highly entrepreneurial domain of shipping.
Technology stack: We build cloud solutions using C#, .NET Core, Typescript, React, MSSQL Server, Azure, Python, MongoDB, Redis, Docker, Kubernetes, Grafana and more. We also offer the opportunity to work on complex architectures and technology stacks, as well as a global AI-powered tech product vision, supported by the use of multiple AI tools and accelerators. We use Agile to organize our teams and would love to onboard people who can contribute across product discovery, delivery, optimization, QA, DevOps, and Continuous Integration.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and develop efficient, production-ready backend services – Transform prototypes and specifications into robust, scalable Python microservices that meet quality standards, performance requirements, and monitoring best practices.
- Collaborate with data scientists and analysts – Act as a technical implementation partner, taking research prototypes and converting them into production-grade code with proper testing, error handling, and observability.
- Maintain existing microservices – Investigate production issues, implement fixes, and enhance monitoring capabilities across the freight solutions backend ecosystem.
- Ensure code quality and best practices – Write well-tested, documented code following software engineering standards; conduct code reviews and establish quality benchmarks for the team.
Qualifications
- 3+ years professional software engineering experience.
- Strong CS fundamentals (data structures, algorithms, system design).
- Python / FastAPI for server-side development.
- SQL database experience.
- Docker, Kubernetes, and CI/CD pipelines.
- Strong debugging and problem-solving abilities.
- Effective use of AI tools in development workflow.
- Excellent English communication (written & verbal).
- Comfortable with ambiguity and changing requirements in an experimental environment.
Nice‑to‑have Skills
- C# / .NET.
- Experience working in Data Science or Data Engineering teams.
Benefits
- Generous compensation with additional performance incentives.
- Coverage under the company’s collective health insurance plan.
- Opportunity to work alongside experienced people with deep knowledge in software engineering, data science & shipping business who are always eager to mentor.
- Signal’s hybrid work policy currently includes 9 on-site working days per month, during which our happy hour events take place.
- 2-4 weeks of onboarding training to prepare you for your new role, having the opportunity to meet about 30 trainers while diving deep into our products and/or the shipping world.
- Career growth opportunities and a structured development discussion every 4 months.
- Personal learning budget for training, seminars, conferences (750 to 2000 EUR annually depending on seniority).
- Regular team bonding events and activities.
- Fitness benefits to support your health and wellbeing.
All applications will be considered under the terms and conditions of confidentiality in accordance with the regulations of personal data protection. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. At Signal, we believe that diversity of opinions, approaches and viewpoints is key to our innovation and success and we encourage that with our hiring, development and rewards practices. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristics by law and take actions to eliminate those from our workplace.
Backend Software Engineer (Python) in London employer: The Signal Group
Signal Ocean is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation thrives. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide generous benefits including a personal learning budget, structured development discussions, and opportunities to collaborate with industry experts. Our hybrid work policy fosters a balanced lifestyle, complemented by regular team bonding events that enhance our inclusive and diverse culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Backend Software Engineer (Python) in London
✨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 The Signal Group 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 The Signal Group.
✨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 The Signal Group.
✨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 The Signal Group 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 Backend Software Engineer (Python) in London
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 The Signal Group.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at The Signal Group 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 The Signal Group
✨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 The Signal Group 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.
