At a Glance
- Tasks: Build and ship backend services that power our innovative insurance products.
- Company: Join Zego, a forward-thinking tech company revolutionising motor insurance.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private medical insurance, generous holidays, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for learning and career progression.
- Why this job: Fast-track your career as a Backend Engineer in a supportive, growth-focused environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in software development with a strong foundation in programming fundamentals.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
At Zego, we think traditional motor insurance holds good drivers back. It's too complicated, too expensive, and it doesn't take into account how well you actually drive. Since 2016, we've been changing that — building insurance priced fairly for good drivers, from van drivers and gig workers to everyday motorists. We've sold tens of millions of policies and raised over $200M in funding. And we're only just getting started.
We're hiring a Backend Engineer to join one of our product teams. This is a hands-on backend role for someone early in their career who's already shipping code professionally and wants to grow into a Backend Engineer — fast. You'll be supported by experienced engineers and a strong team culture, but we'll expect you to own your work, ask good questions, and actively drive your own development. This isn't a role for someone who wants to sit at this level for years. We want someone with their eye on what's next.
What you will be doing:
- Building, testing, and shipping backend services that power products used by our customers every day
- Writing clear, well-tested code that you and your teammates will be happy to maintain
- Reviewing other engineers' code and learning from theirs
- Pairing with senior engineers on harder problems and levelling up along the way
- Asking questions, seeking feedback, and taking ownership of the things you don't yet know
- Using AI tools as part of your daily workflow — and helping the team get better at using them
About you:
We don't mind which language you've been writing in. What matters is that you've been actively developing software in a professional setting and have solid programming fundamentals — data structures, basic algorithms, OOP, testing, version control. Our stack is mostly Python, and you'll pick it up quickly if you don't already know it.
What we really care about:
- Growth mindset: You treat gaps in your knowledge as opportunities, not weaknesses. You go and find what you don't know rather than waiting to be told.
- Curiosity about AI: You're already experimenting with AI tools in your work, or you're hungry to. You see them as leverage.
- Hunger to progress: You want to be a Senior Engineer, and you want to get there as fast as you reasonably can. You're up for putting in the work.
- Initiative: You don't wait around for the next task or the next learning opportunity. You go looking.
- Good communication: You can explain what you're working on, ask for help when you're stuck, and give useful feedback in code reviews.
What’s it like to work at Zego?
Joining Zego is a career-defining move. People go further here, reaching their full potential to achieve extraordinary things. We’re spread between Portugal and the UK, and united by our drive to get things done. We’re proud of our company and our culture – a friendly and inclusive space where we can lift each other up and celebrate our wins every day. Together, we’re setting the bar higher, delivering exceptional work that makes a difference. Our people are the most important part of our story, and everyone here plays a role. There’s loads of room to learn and grow, and you’ll get the freedom to steer your career wherever you want. You’ll work alongside a talented group who embrace each other's differences and aren’t afraid of a challenge. We recognise our achievements, learn from our mistakes, and help each other to be the best we can be. Together, we’re making insurance matter.
How we work:
We believe that teams work better when they have time to collaborate and space to get things done. We call it Zego Hybrid. While some of our team choose to come into our central London office once a week, we’re flexible - some people prefer being in once a month or even quarterly. It’s all about finding the right balance between collaborative face time and focused home-working, so we can achieve great results while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Our approach to AI:
AI is changing how we work, and we want people who are leaning into that — using it to move faster, think differently, and focus on what matters. You don't need to be an expert. You do need to be curious and intentional about how you use it.
Benefits:
We reward our people well. Join us and you’ll get a market-competitive salary, private medical insurance, company share options, generous holiday allowance, and a whole lot of wellbeing benefits. We also offer an annual flexible hybrid working contribution, which you can use to support with your travel to the office or towards your own personal development. And that’s just for starters!
We’re an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Remote Software Engineer in Wigan
✨Join Developer Communities
Get involved in online developer communities like GitHub or Stack Overflow. We can showcase our skills by contributing to open-source projects – it’s a great way to network, learn, and possibly catch the eye of a recruiter while doing something we love!
✨Attend Coding Meetups and Hackathons
Check out local coding meetups and hackathons. These events are fantastic for meeting other developers and potential employers, plus they're a great way to get some hands-on experience and showcase our problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Set Up a Public Portfolio
We should create a public portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing our projects and code. This not only demonstrates our technical skills but also gives employers a peek into our creative process and problem-solving abilities.
✨Utilise University Career Services
If we're fresh out of uni, let's not forget about our university’s career services! They often have tailored resources and connections in the software development field. Plus, internships can lead to entry-level roles – a true win-win!
We think you need these skills to ace Remote Software Engineer in Wigan
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Coding Skills:As this is an entry-level role in software engineering development, make sure to include your coding projects. Whether it's a cool school project, a personal website, or even contributions to open-source, it all counts! Link to your GitHub or any platforms you've showcased your code on – we want to see what you've got!
Tailor Your CV to Highlight Relevant Skills:Make your CV work for you by focusing on the programming languages and frameworks you've learned. If you've dabbled in JavaScript, Python, or any specific frameworks, be sure to include those. Plus, showcasing any relevant coursework or certifications can really help us get a clearer picture of your skill set.
Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:Since you're applying for an entry-level position, your cover letter is your chance to shine. Tell us why you’re passionate about software engineering and what excites you about working with Zego. Highlight any internships or projects that shaped your interest in coding – it’s all about your motivation!
Use Your Network:Don't hesitate to mention any connections you might have to Zego in your application. If you know someone who works there or have attended any events they hosted, slip that into your cover letter. It shows your genuine interest and can give you that extra edge in your application!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zego
✨Know Your Code: Prepare for Technical Questions
For a role in software engineering, you can bet your Interviewer might throw some coding problems your way. Brush up on common algorithms and data structures, and practise coding on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank. That way, you're ready to showcase your problem-solving skills confidently!
✨Portfolio Power: Show Off Your Projects
As an entry-level candidate, your portfolio is your secret weapon. Make sure you have a few solid projects on GitHub that demonstrate your coding skills and understanding of software development processes. Be ready to walk through your code and explain your thought process during the interview.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Agile and Development Tools
Understanding Agile methodologies can really set you apart from other entry-level candidates. Get familiar with tools like JIRA or Trello, and be prepared to discuss how you've used them in your projects or studies. This shows you're not just a coder but also a team player.
✨Demonstrate Your Learning Mindset
Since you're applying for an entry-level position, it's important to show your eagerness to learn. Be ready to discuss how you’ve tackled challenges in your studies or projects, what new skills you’ve picked up recently, and how you plan to continue developing in this fast-paced field.