At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead backend development and mentor engineers while transforming educational tech.
- Company: Join Twinkl, a dynamic educational publisher with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible remote work, 33+ days annual leave, and professional growth opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive environment with a focus on personal well-being and team support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global education through innovative software solutions.
- Qualifications: Experience in Node.js, TypeScript, and AWS; passion for mentoring and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 71500 £ per year.
We are currently looking for two Senior Software Engineers (Backend Focus) to join our team.
At Twinkl, we're not just building software - we're transforming how millions of educators and learners interact with educational content and resources worldwide. We offer a unique proposition: the massive global scale of an established educational publisher combined with the agile technological footprint needed to accelerate that mission. Backed by equity partners who are actively invested in our growth, we are expanding into high-value global markets, making this a pivotal time to join our journey.
We are in the midst of an exciting transformation, rebuilding our core platform from the ground up using React, Next.js, TypeScript, and Node.js alongside serverless AWS cloud architecture. Crucially, we do this within a genuinely collaborative, supportive, and inclusive team environment. We believe that everyone in the room has a voice, every opinion carries weight, and every engineer has the opportunity to drive impact. We trust our teams to make the right technical decisions and own their solutions in a safe, open setting.
What will you be doing?
- Technical Architecture & Delivery: Partner closely with our existing Senior Engineer and Engineering Manager to lead system design, re-architecture, and delivery across key platform initiatives.
- Coaching & Mentorship: Act as a supportive mentor for the team, coaching engineers through technical challenges and helping them upskill as they get familiar with our replatformed tech stack and architectural patterns.
- AI-Integrated Engineering: Utilise modern AI tools as an everyday part of your development workflow. We actively embrace AI across the organisation and are rolling out Claude to enhance productivity, code quality, and technical experimentation.
- Building Scalable Backend Systems: Re-architect legacy areas of our platform into modern, serverless microservices that deliver educational tools to teachers and students across every time zone.
- Fostering an Inclusive Culture: Help maintain an open, psychologically safe environment where team members feel confident speaking up, sharing ideas, and collaborating openly.
What do we need from you?
- Backend Expertise: Deep, hands-on experience in backend engineering and architecture using Node.js, TypeScript, and AWS cloud services.
- Full-Stack Competency: Comfort working across the entire stack (including React and Next.js) when needed, with a clear primary passion for backend architecture.
- Coaching & Team Mentorship: Strong passion for mentoring, pair programming, and helping fellow engineers grow their technical skill sets.
- Collaborative Senior Leadership: Ability to partner effectively with another Senior Engineer and the Engineering Manager on system design, technical roadmaps, and execution.
- Inclusive Mindset: An empathetic, open communication style that thrives in a workplace where everyone’s voice matters and collaborative problem-solving is prioritised.
- Modern SDLC & AI Tools: Proven experience with automated testing, TDD, and CI/CD pipelines, combined with enthusiasm for using AI tools (such as Claude) to optimise daily development.
What’s in it for you?
- A friendly, welcoming and supportive culture. We believe work should be fun and always put people before process.
- Flexible working with fully remote and hybrid working options.
- 33 days annual leave per year, pro rata. You decide which public holidays to recognise. After 2 years of employment, your annual leave entitlement will accrue year on year up to 38 days annual leave.
- An additional day of annual leave, a Me Day, to take time for yourself.
- Charity day to volunteer and support a registered charity of your choice.
- Westfield Health (including Health Club discount and Westfield Rewards discount and cashback).
- Learning and Development opportunities, with opportunities for internal mobility across various departments / areas of the business.
- 4 x annual salary death in service life assurance.
- Enhanced parental and adoption leave after long service.
- Quarterly awards designed to reward and recognise our wonderful Twinkl employees.
- Free Twinkl Subscription.
At Twinkl, we encourage diversity, and our doors are open to everyone. We're committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all. If you need any adjustments during the application process to showcase your abilities, please let us know. We're here to support you on your journey.
We understand that great ideas aren't confined to an office. That's why our tech teams embrace a remote-friendly culture, giving you the flexibility to choose where you work best. Whether it's from our amazing HQ in Sheffield, mainly remote or something in-between, we believe that your best work happens when you have the freedom to create your ideal workspace.
Senior Software Engineer in Sheffield employer: Twinkl Ltd.
Twinkl Ltd. is an exceptional employer that values innovation and creativity in the digital marketing space. With a strong focus on employee well-being, we offer competitive benefits such as health insurance, generous annual leave, and a flexible working policy that supports work-life balance. Our remote UK position fosters a collaborative culture where employees can thrive and grow their careers in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer in Sheffield
✨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 Twinkl Ltd. 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 Twinkl Ltd..
✨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 Twinkl Ltd..
✨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 Twinkl Ltd. 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 in Sheffield
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 Twinkl Ltd..
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Twinkl Ltd. 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 Twinkl Ltd.
✨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 Twinkl Ltd. 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.
