At a Glance
- Tasks: Build innovative AI products from scratch and own core applications.
- Company: Exciting PropTech startup focused on green-field AI development.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and a dynamic team environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for hands-on development in a supportive, agile team.
- Why this job: Join a fast-paced startup and make a real impact with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Strong Python and FastAPI skills, with experience in fast-growth startups.
The predicted salary is between 81000 - 99000 £ per year.
London, Hybrid (weekly office attendance preferred, min. 1-2 days)
Level: Senior
We're working with a PropTech start-up to find two Senior Backend Engineers to join their team as they build out a genuinely green-field AI product from scratch. They're launching two parallel AI workstreams:
- Augmentation - AI assisting operations teams on complex, high-risk tasks (finance, invoicing)
- Automation - fully automating high-volume, low-risk repetitive workflows
The core mechanic is benchmarking LLMs to perform automated steps in workflows. For engineers frustrated by bolt-on AI at their current employer, this is the opportunity to build it properly from day one.
The Role
The successful candidate will own and develop the core applications powering the business - primarily CRM and finance services - for both internal and external users. They'll work in one of two small engineering teams (3-4 engineers), hands-on from day one, shipping fast using agentic development workflows. This isn't a role for someone used to delegating in a large organisation. The right person will own services end-to-end, in a fast-growth environment where priorities shift and velocity matters.
What They're Looking For
- Fast-growth startup / scale-up experience. Candidates should have worked at a Stealth Start-up/Series A/B startup through a period of rapid scaling, and be comfortable with ambiguity, shifting priorities, and shipping under pressure without over-engineering.
- Early or founding engineer experience, ownership of significant surface area, and demonstrable velocity are all a strong fit.
- Strong, current production Python with FastAPI - this is a hard requirement.
- Experience with API design, async Python, and SQL/ORM is a plus.
- Genuine, current use of agentic development workflows. Candidates should actively use AI coding agents (e.g. Claude Code, Cursor) as a core part of how they work, and think about optimising their own and their team's development workflow - tooling, automation, spec-driven development.
- Ownership of quality. Writes and maintains their own tests, and is comfortable in a 'you build it, you run it' culture.
What They're NOT Looking For
- No FastAPI / weak Python
- Unable to travel to the office 1-2 days a week
- Purely frontend focus with no backend service ownership
- No evidence of scale-up or agentic development experience
- Ultra-high performers from AI-first rocketships (salary expectations typically exceed range)
Ideal Background
Strong candidates typically come from lean, fast-scaling product companies with a genuine engineering culture (rather than large corporates, agencies/consultancies, or businesses without a strong tech function), bringing hands-on, current experience shipping production Python/FastAPI services alongside real agentic-AI-assisted development practice. If you're frustrated by bolt-on AI at your current employer, this is the opportunity to build it properly from day one.
Backend Engineer - AI PropTech Startup employer: Urban Digital Recruitment Ltd
As a Project Manager in Data & AI at our innovative PropTech start-up, you will thrive in a dynamic and supportive work culture that values collaboration and creativity. With significant opportunities for professional growth and development, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of property services while enjoying competitive benefits and the excitement of working in London, a hub for technology and innovation.
Contact Details:
Urban Digital Recruitment Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Backend Engineer - AI PropTech Startup
✨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 Urban Digital Recruitment 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 Urban Digital Recruitment 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 Urban Digital Recruitment 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 Urban Digital Recruitment 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 Backend Engineer - AI PropTech Startup
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 Urban Digital Recruitment 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 Urban Digital Recruitment 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 Urban Digital Recruitment 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 Urban Digital Recruitment 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.
