At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and optimise backend systems for a cutting-edge AI platform in finance.
- Company: Join Unique AI, a leader in generative AI for the financial sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for continuous learning.
- Other info: Inclusive culture encouraging all genders and neuro-diversities to apply.
- Why this job: Be part of innovative projects that revolutionise the financial industry with AI.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in backend engineering with expertise in TypeScript, Node.js, and PostgreSQL.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Defining how AI and finance work together — securely, intelligently, and at scale. We at Unique AI are building a highly secure generative AI platform, tailored for the financial sector. Utilizing AI, LLM, agentic and Skills technologies, we aim to revolutionize the Financial industry with an AI Automated workforce. Our mission is to increase efficiency, improve alpha, reduce risk, and increase quality across everything we do. We offer an inclusive environment at Unique and we encourage all genders and all neuro‑diversities to apply.
We’re building an enterprise AI platform where chat is the primary product surface. It is where users interact with AI agents, search across knowledge, collaborate in shared spaces, and trigger complex workflows through natural language.
We’re looking for a senior backend engineer who wants to work close to product, not just infrastructure. You will work on the systems behind a modern AI product: APIs, data models, async workflows, real‑time delivery, and LLM orchestration. You will also help shape technical direction, mentor teammates, and raise the quality bar across the backend stack.
Job Requirements
- 5+ years of backend engineering experience with strong expertise in TypeScript, Node.js, and NestJS
- Strong system design skills: reason about distributed systems, define clean service boundaries, and make pragmatic technical trade‑offs
- Deep database knowledge: schema design, query optimization, and migration strategies in PostgreSQL; Prisma experience is a plus
- Experience building reliable production APIs and backend services with real operational constraints
- Security awareness: comfortable with multi‑tenant data isolation, authentication and authorization patterns, and auditability in enterprise software
Job Responsibilities
- Core backend systems: design, implement, and optimize multi‑tenant NestJS/Prisma/PostgreSQL services and APIs powering spaces, assistants, knowledge access, and conversational workflows.
- AI platform capabilities: enhance the LLM orchestration layer (streaming, tool calling, multi‑model routing), integrate Python/MCP tools, and drive lower latency, higher reliability, and better cost efficiency.
- Async and real‑time architecture: build event‑driven workflows with RabbitMQ for reliable background and inter‑service messaging, and maintain a responsive real‑time chat delivery pipeline.
- Platform ownership: elevate observability (metrics, structured logs, dashboards, alerts), own K8s/Helm production delivery with ArgoCD GitOps, and contribute shared backend platform packages.
- Engineering culture: ensure quality with robust unit/integration tests, lead in reviews and architecture patterns, and mentor peers to raise backend reliability and maintainability.
Job Benefits
- Leading Company: a chance to be part of a leading company in a rapidly evolving industry
- Innovative & Impactful Projects: engage in groundbreaking projects within the Generative AI space and contribute towards building the foundations enabling financial institutions to operationalize AI
- Ownership & Autonomy: we care about outcomes and the right solution crafted with clean code
- Continuous Learning: AI is moving fast and we value engineers who keep learning and experimenting
- Culture: a modern company with flat hierarchies that focuses on a people‑oriented culture and places great emphasis on transparency and open communication
- Hybrid set‑up: based in Berlin or London with flexibility for remote days
Senior Backend Engineer, Chat & AI Platform in London employer: Unique
At Unique AI, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment that champions innovation in the financial sector. Our culture emphasises transparency, open communication, and continuous learning, allowing our employees to engage in groundbreaking projects while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid work setup in vibrant cities like Berlin or London. With opportunities for ownership and autonomy, as well as a commitment to mentoring and professional growth, we empower our team to shape the future of AI in finance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Backend Engineer, Chat & AI Platform 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 Unique 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 Unique.
✨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 Unique.
✨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 Unique 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 Backend Engineer, Chat & AI Platform 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 Unique.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Unique 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 Unique
✨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 Unique 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.
