At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build scalable backend systems using Kotlin and AWS to solve real financial problems.
- Company: Join Zopa, a pioneering bank redefining finance with a people-first approach.
- Benefits: Flexible working, competitive salary, and the chance to work abroad for up to 120 days a year.
- Other info: Enjoy a dynamic culture that values diversity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while collaborating with a diverse and innovative team.
- Qualifications: Strong experience in backend engineering with Kotlin or Java and a passion for quality products.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Our Story
Hello there. We’re Zopa. We started our journey back in 2005, building the first ever peer-to-peer lending company. Fast forward to 2020 and we launched Zopa Bank. A bank that listens to what our customers don’t like about finance and does the opposite. We’re redefining what it feels like to work in finance. Our vision for a new era of banking puts people front and centre — we’ve built a business that empowers everyone to aim high, every day, to move finance forward. Find out more about our fantastic offerings at Zopa.com! We’re incredibly proud of our achievements and none of it would be possible without the amazing team here. It’s not just industry awards we’re winning, we’ve also been named in the top three UK’s Most Loved Workplaces.
If you embrace unconventional challenges, are unafraid to think differently and are driven to make an outsized impact, you’ll thrive here at Zopa, so join us, and make it count.
The engineering challenge
Our Software Engineers don't just write code, they solve real financial problems for millions of customers. You'll work on distributed systems processing thousands of transactions daily, build resilient services that handle people's money, and create experiences that make traditionally complex financial products feel simple.
Your Impact
- Designing, building and running scalable backend systems using Kotlin and AWS
- Contributing to technical direction, team practices and architectural decisions
- Collaborating closely with product managers, designers and other engineers
- Mentoring junior engineers and helping to raise the technical bar
- Owning your team’s code, quality and delivery
- Taking part in the full SDLC — including operating your own services in production
- Writing well-tested, clean code
- Making smart trade-offs between speed, quality and risk to deliver customer value quickly
Your Toolkit
- Strong backend engineering experience using Kotlin or Java in a production environment
- Passionate about building reliable, high-quality products — not just writing code
- Comfortable working on distributed systems with scale and complexity
- Advocates for testing, clean code, and automation throughout the development process
- Understands trade-offs in product delivery and values pragmatism
- Enjoys solving problems collaboratively and mentoring others
- Clear communicator with experience working cross-functionally
- Excited by fast-moving environments and full ownership of your work
Our Engineering Culture
- Customer impact over unnecessary complexity
- Team success over individual heroics
- Operational ownership, not just feature delivery
- Continuous improvement through honest feedback
Added Bonus
Experience with fintech or banking is a plus, but we value problem-solvers from all backgrounds.
At Zopa we value flexible ways of working. We value face-to-face collaboration and a good work-life balance. This hybrid role requires you to come to our Manchester office 2-3 days a week. You’ll also have the option of working from abroad for up to 120 days a year! But no matter where you are, we’ll make sure you’ve got everything you need to thrive, both in your work and home life, from day one.
Diversity Statement
Zopa is proud to offer a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds leads to better products for our customers and a unique company culture for our people. We are made up of nearly 50 nationalities, have a DE&I forum made up of Zopians wanting to make a difference and we are proud of our culture where everyone can bring their full self to work. Our approach to DE&I is reflected in our hiring process so please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments.
Senior Java/Kotlin Software Engineer - Manchester employer: Zopa
Contact Detail:
Zopa Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Java/Kotlin Software Engineer - Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former Zopa employees on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info about the company culture and maybe even a referral. We all know referrals can give your application a serious boost!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your Kotlin and Java skills. Make sure you can talk about your past projects and how you've tackled challenges. We want to see your problem-solving skills in action, so be ready to share specific examples!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for fintech! Research Zopa’s products and think about how you can contribute to their mission of redefining finance. When you demonstrate that you understand their vision, it’ll set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to 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 the Zopa team. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Java/Kotlin Software Engineer - Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Problem-Solving: When you're writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for tackling real-world problems. Share examples of how you've used your skills in Kotlin or Java to make a difference in previous projects. We love seeing candidates who are excited about solving challenges!
Be Clear and Concise: We appreciate straightforward communication, so keep your application clear and to the point. Highlight your relevant experience and skills without unnecessary fluff. This helps us quickly understand what you bring to the table!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for the Senior Java/Kotlin Software Engineer role. Mention specific experiences that align with our engineering culture and the impact you can make at Zopa. It shows us you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested!
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 gives you a chance to explore more about our fantastic offerings at Zopa.com!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zopa
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in Kotlin and Java, as these are crucial for the role. Brush up on your knowledge of distributed systems and AWS, and be ready to discuss how you've used these technologies in past projects.
✨Showcase Problem-Solving Skills
Zopa values engineers who can tackle real financial problems. Prepare examples of challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you approached solving them. This will demonstrate your ability to think critically and creatively.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with product managers and designers, highlight your experience in cross-functional teams. Share specific instances where collaboration led to successful outcomes, showing that you value team success over individual heroics.
✨Be Ready for Cultural Fit Questions
Zopa prides itself on its unique culture. Familiarise yourself with their values around customer impact and continuous improvement. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their positive work environment.