Senior Backend Engineer in Bradford

We’re looking for a Senior Backend Engineer to join our team in Bradford or Leeds on a 12‑month fixed‑term contract, with potential to become permanent. This hybrid role offers flexibility, with two days in the office and three days working remotely.

As our Senior Backend Engineer, you’ll play a pivotal part in shaping our engineering initiatives - leading the design, development, and deployment of backend services that drive the Arrow platform. This is a hands-on position where you’ll not only write high-quality code but also influence architectural decisions, mentor fellow engineers, and help scale our platform to meet the needs of enterprise clients.

• Design & Development: Architect, build, and maintain scalable, resilient Python-based microservices deployed on Google Cloud Run and Cloud Functions.
• Database Ownership: Manage and optimize our PostgreSQL database for performance, scalability, and reliability.
• API Engineering: Deliver robust, well-documented, and high-performance RESTful APIs using FastAPI for consumption by front-end applications and other services.
• Cloud Infrastructure: Partner with the team to implement Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Terraform to manage and evolve our GCP environment.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Guide junior engineers, perform code reviews, and foster a culture of technical excellence.
• Platform Evolution: Drive key initiatives, including the development of the “Arrow Banking” system and other innovative financial technology products.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with front-end engineers, product managers, and stakeholders to deliver high-quality features.

We tend to look for people with:

• Essential: Extensive experience in backend development, with a strong track record of building and deploying applications in cloud environments.
• Expert proficiency in Python, including its libraries and ecosystem.
• Deep knowledge of relational databases, particularly PostgreSQL, covering everything from schema design to query optimisation.
• Hands-on expertise with Google Cloud Platform (GCP), including core services such as Cloud Run, Cloud Functions, Pub/Sub, Google Cloud Storage (GCS), and Cloud SQL.
• Solid understanding of microservices architecture and associated best practices.
• Proven ability to design and implement RESTful APIs.

Desirable:

• Familiarity with FastAPI framework.
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code, particularly Terraform.
• Exposure to Google's AI/ML services like Document AI or other OCR/NLP technologies.
• Knowledge of Generative AI models.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines (we use GitHub Actions).
• Understanding of containerization technologies like Docker.
• Familiarity with development tools like Poetry, pre-commit, and commitizen.
• An understanding of financial processes or experience with ERP systems (e.g., Oracle Fusion, SAP).

Competitive salary. 25 days annual leave with the option to purchase 5 more. Enjoy your birthday off, plus receive an additional 3 days of annual leave once you reach 5 years of service. Access to wellbeing and mental health benefits such as the Calm app, personal medical, critical illness cover and dental insurance, plus many more. Matched pension contribution up to 10%. Access to our car benefit scheme. Access to our online learning platform to continue to develop and grow your career with us. The chance to join an innovative, fast-paced and passionate team.

Who we are: Liberty Blume, a Liberty Global company, is a rapidly growing business services provider, specialising in tech-enabled back-office solutions. Our mission is to deliver efficiency, scale and value to our customers through Business, Procurement and Financial Solutions. If you’re curious, customer centric and enjoy being one step ahead, join us on our scale up journey and unlock your freedom to grow!

Liberty Global is an equal opportunity employer, committed to an inclusive environment and accommodating all candidates. We’re eager to hear from you, no matter your background.

We’re building Tomorrow’s Connections Today, bringing people together through the power of our technology. Liberty Global is a world leader in converged broadband, video and mobile communications and an active investor in cutting-edge infrastructure, content and technology ventures. With our investments in fibre-based and 5G networks we play a vital role in society, currently providing over 85 million fixed and mobile connections and rolling out the next generation of products and services, while readying our networks for 10 Gbps and beyond.

We’re creating national champions, combining the best broadband and mobile networks under brands such as Virgin Media-02 in the UK, VodafoneZiggo in The Netherlands, Telenet in Belgium, Sunrise in Switzerland, Virgin Media in Ireland and UPC in Slovakia. Liberty Global Ventures, our global investment arm, has a portfolio of more than 75 companies and funds across content, technology and infrastructure, including strategic stakes in ITV, Univision, Plume, Lionsgate and the Formula E racing series. Our scale enables us to transfer knowledge and expertise across our operations and investments, creating a dynamic family of brands united in the pursuit of innovation and excellence. And we’re prioritising diversity, equity and inclusion in our workplace and communities, while reducing our impact on the environment. We are using technology as a force for good; for our people, our partners and the planet.