At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a small team to develop impactful backend systems for climate tech.
- Company: Join a nonprofit dedicated to cleaner energy solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and meaningful impact on climate change.
- Other info: Opportunity for ownership and leadership in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in energy systems while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in backend development with strong Python skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Lead Backend Engineer — Climate Tech Nonprofit
£90-£95k per year
London Hybrid — 2 days in London / 3 remote
Python · FastAPI · PostgreSQL · GCP · Docker · Terraform
Climate impact · Energy-system modelling · Backed by major philanthropic funders
I’m working with a climate-tech nonprofit building software that helps countries plan cleaner, more reliable electricity systems. This isn’t a standard CRUD backend role. The team is building Scenario Builder — a platform used for energy-system modelling, grid planning, decarbonisation analysis and long-term infrastructure decisions.
The engineering problems are genuinely interesting: data-heavy backend systems, performance challenges, APIs, infrastructure, modelling workflows and computational problems that have real-world climate impact.
They’re now looking for a Lead Backend Engineer who can stay hands-on with Python while managing a small team of 3–5 engineers. This is not a big-company Backend Lead IC role. It’s more of a hands-on backend squad lead position where you’ll set technical direction, improve backend systems, coach engineers and help scale the platform behind Scenario Builder.
Could be a strong fit if you:
- 7+ years of experience in back-end software development
- Have strong Python backend experience
- Have worked with FastAPI, Django or Flask
- Are comfortable with PostgreSQL, APIs, cloud infrastructure and CI/CD
- Have some technical leadership or line-management experience
- Enjoy mentoring engineers while still staying close to the code
- Care about climate, energy systems or software with real-world impact
- Can balance strong engineering standards with pragmatic delivery
This is a good opportunity for someone who wants more ownership, a stronger leadership path and engineering work that matters beyond commercial optimisation. Apply to learn more.
Team Lead Backend Engineer employer: TRG
Join a pioneering climate-tech nonprofit that is dedicated to making a tangible impact on the world through innovative software solutions. With a hybrid work model in London, you will enjoy a collaborative and supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development, while working on challenging engineering problems that contribute to cleaner energy systems. This role offers the unique opportunity to lead a small team, mentor fellow engineers, and engage in meaningful work that goes beyond traditional commercial objectives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Lead Backend Engineer
✨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 TRG 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 TRG.
✨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 TRG.
✨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 TRG 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 Team Lead Backend Engineer
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 TRG.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at TRG 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 TRG
✨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 TRG 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.
