At a Glance
- Tasks: Build robust APIs and backend services for an AI-powered payments platform.
- Company: Join a YC-backed startup revolutionising restaurant technology in London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and a collaborative work culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while working with cutting-edge tech and founders.
- Qualifications: Strong Python skills and experience with Django or FastAPI required.
- Other info: Dynamic hybrid work environment with excellent growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 £ per year.
We are looking for a Backend Engineer who will build the core infrastructure powering our AI-powered payments and POS platform. You will design and scale APIs, data pipelines, and backend services using Python, Django, and FastAPI—building the foundation that 400+ restaurants and retail businesses rely on every day. You will work directly with our co-founders and small technical team to make Zavo fast, reliable, and intelligent.
Compensation: £80,000–£120,000 base salary + equity
About Zavo
We are a YC-backed (F25) startup based in London, building an intelligent, all-in-one platform to replace today’s fragmented restaurant tech stack. Zavo powers card payments, POS, and AI for 400+ restaurants and retail businesses. We are backed by leading global investors, growing revenue rapidly, and moving fast to define the next generation of restaurant technology.
What You Will Do
- Design and build robust APIs and backend services using Django and FastAPI
- Architect data models and optimize database performance with Supabase/PostgreSQL
- Build integrations with payment processors, POS hardware, and third-party services
- Develop backend infrastructure for our AI agents that automate restaurant operations
- Ensure platform reliability, security, and scalability as we grow
- Work directly with co-founders and frontend engineers to ship end-to-end features
What We Are Looking For
- Strong Python expertise—you write clean, maintainable, well-tested code
- Experience with Django and/or FastAPI in production environments
- 3-5+ years building backend systems that real users depend on
- Solid understanding of PostgreSQL, API design, and distributed systems
- Founder mentality—you treat this like your own company and do whatever it takes
- Customer obsession—genuinely excited about building products for restaurant owners and merchants
- High agency and comfortable with ambiguity—we are a small team moving fast
- Based in London (hybrid)—we need in-person collaboration with the team
- UK work authorization—we can’t sponsor visas at this stage
Why Zavo
- YC-backed with very strong revenue and momentum (400+ merchants and growing)
- Work directly with founders on high-impact problems
- Modern backend stack—Python, Django, FastAPI, Supabase, AI/ML
- Real ownership over critical infrastructure
- Early-stage equity with real upside potential
- London-based team with a collaborative, all-in culture
Backend Engineer in Waltham Cross employer: Zavo
Contact Detail:
Zavo Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Backend Engineer in Waltham Cross
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Build a personal project or contribute to open-source. This not only sharpens your coding chops but also gives you something tangible to discuss during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by practicing coding challenges and system design questions. Use platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of problems you might face.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Zavo.
We think you need these skills to ace Backend Engineer in Waltham Cross
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your Python expertise and experience with Django or FastAPI. We want to see how you've built backend systems that real users depend on, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your Application: Make your application stand out by tailoring it to our needs at Zavo. Mention specific projects where you’ve designed APIs or optimised database performance. This shows us you understand what we’re looking for and how you can contribute.
Be Yourself: We love a founder mentality! In your application, let your personality shine through. Share your passion for building products that help restaurant owners and merchants. We want to know what excites you about this role!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zavo
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in Python, Django, and FastAPI. Brush up on your knowledge of PostgreSQL and API design, as these are crucial for the role. Be ready to discuss your past experiences with these technologies and how you've used them to build robust backend systems.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to talk about specific challenges you've faced in previous projects and how you overcame them. Zavo is looking for someone with a founder mentality, so demonstrate your ability to think critically and creatively when tackling problems.
✨Understand the Business Impact
Familiarise yourself with the restaurant tech landscape and how Zavo fits into it. Show genuine excitement about building products that help restaurant owners and merchants. This will highlight your customer obsession and understanding of the industry.
✨Be Ready for Collaboration
Since you'll be working closely with co-founders and frontend engineers, emphasise your teamwork skills. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past, especially in fast-paced environments where communication is key.