At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of developers while coding and shaping innovative AI solutions.
- Company: Join Xelix, a fast-growing tech scale-up transforming financial controls.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid work, generous leave, and personal development budget.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment with exciting growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in development, 2+ years leading teams, strong Python skills required.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values personal growth and celebrates achievements.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
About us
At Xelix, we work with some of the world’s largest companies to automate and strengthen their financial controls. Our AI solutions redefine how Accounts Payable teams operate – moving from manual processes to automated, intelligent workflows. Xelix is a fast‑paced scale‑up – things move fast and expectations are high. We raised our Series B with Insight Partners in June 5 and are expanding aggressively. We have a team of 150 talented people pulling together to achieve our goals. Everyone is trusted to take ownership, move fast and have a meaningful impact. We prioritise personal and professional growth, keep things fun, and love to celebrate a milestone together. In this role you’ll grow, be challenged and help shape the future of Xelix. If you’re excited about building something special with us, we’d love to hear from you.
About the role
Xelix is looking for a Back‑End Team Lead to join our fast growing scale‑up. The role offers a mix of managerial tasks (leading a team of 3‑6 developers) and hands‑on coding, to ensure your technical skills are utilised and kept up to date. The candidate will work alongside the existing Engineering Team Leads and report to the VP of Engineering. We produce AI‑powered software that works with clients’ existing finance systems to identify payment risks and deliver meaningful insights.
What you’ll be doing
Technical ResponsibilitiesOur mantra is “build for the long term” and so we take pride in our work – producing clean, tested, beautiful code. As a manager you will support your team in this by participating in code and design reviews, giving feedback to developers and encouraging their professional development. You will:
- Support developers when they are stuck on a problem
- Facilitate architectural decision making
- Share knowledge to maintain DRY principles and to ensure the codebase is consistent
- Keep up to date with industry developments and bring new technology to the team
You will be well supported to continue your professional development. This includes a conference allowance, a budget for L&D resources, and a monthly session with your manager to identify and track your learning goals.
Managerial ResponsibilitiesPrimarily you would be ensuring your team members are happy and productive.
- Mentoring, training and career planning for your team members
- Conducting monthly 1‑1 sessions.
- Collaborating with the Product Team to prioritise and allocate tasks
- Recruitment
- Promote managerial best practice with your team lead peers
What you’ll bring
We are seeking candidates who have 5+ years of professional development experience, a minimum of 2 years experience leading a development team of at least 3 people and a Computer Science or similar technical degree. For a Python Team Lead we expect a strong understanding of the Python / Web development ecosystem including:
- Familiarity with building RESTful APIs with the Django Rest Framework. We are open to Flask experience too as understand this is easily transferable to Django
- Developing robust and scalable solutions in Python
- Relational databases (we use PostgreSQL on AWS)
- Implementing performance improvement strategies
- Strong Computer Science fundamentals
We have a DevOps team that manage CI/CD, Cloud, IaC etc. An understanding of common AWS services, GitHub, Jenkins, Docker, Terraform is desirable but not essential.
What we offer in return
💰 Competitive salary depending on experience
🏝️ 27 days of annual leave (including 3 days Christmas closing) which increases up to 3 days based on tenure, with the option to roll over, buy or sell up to 3 days
🏡 Hybrid working with one day a week from our dog‑friendly Hoxton office
💪 On‑site gym and cycle to work scheme
🛍️ Employee discount at over 100 retailers
Comprehensive private medical & dental cover with Vitality
🍼 Enhanced parental leave pay
📚 Learning & development culture – £1,000 personal annual budget
🌍 We’re carbon‑neutral and are working towards ambitious carbon reduction goals
🎯 Lots of team socials & activities
☀️ Annual team retreat
Want to learn more?
About us Xelix blog Xelix news Xelix glassdoor
We believe that people from diverse backgrounds, with different identities and experiences make our company and product better. No matter your background, we’d love to hear from you! And if you have a disability, please let us know if there’s any way we can make the interview process better for you - we’re happy to accommodate!
This is a full‑time position, with standard working hours from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Interview Process
While the exact process may vary slightly depending on the role, our typical interview stages are:
- Introductory Call – A short Teams conversation with a Talent Partner to discuss your background and the opportunity.
- Hiring Manager Interview – A 30–45 minute Teams meeting to explore your experience and fit for the team.
- Technical Task or Presentation – A role‑relevant exercise to demonstrate your skills and approach.
- Final On‑site Interview – An in‑person meeting with our senior leadership team and co‑founders at our office.
We strive to make the process clear, efficient, and respectful of your time.
Lead Backend Engineer – Python (Team Lead) employer: Xelix
Contact Detail:
Xelix Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Backend Engineer – Python (Team Lead)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Xelix's products, values, and culture. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to referrals, which can give you a leg up in the hiring process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical challenges! Brush up on your Python skills and be ready to showcase your coding prowess. Practice common algorithms and design patterns that might come up during the technical task.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression. Mention something specific from your conversation to remind them of your enthusiasm and fit for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Backend Engineer – Python (Team Lead)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see that you're excited about the opportunity to lead a team and work with cutting-edge technology. Share why you’re drawn to Xelix and how you can contribute to our mission.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the job description. Highlight your experience in Python and any leadership roles you've had. We love seeing specific examples of how you've led teams or projects, so don’t hold back on those details!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Use bullet points where necessary and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role. Remember, clarity is key!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Xelix
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Python skills, especially with frameworks like Django and Flask. Be ready to discuss how you've built RESTful APIs and any performance improvement strategies you've implemented. This will show that you're not just a manager but also a hands-on techie.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your experience leading teams. Think of specific examples where you've mentored developers or facilitated architectural decisions. Highlight how you keep your team motivated and productive, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Understand Their Business
Familiarise yourself with Xelix's mission and the financial automation space. Being able to discuss how your technical skills can contribute to their goals will demonstrate your genuine interest in the company and its future.
✨Prepare for the Technical Task
Expect a role-relevant exercise during the interview process. Practice coding challenges and be ready to explain your thought process. This is your chance to shine, so make sure you can articulate your approach clearly and confidently.