At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build scalable backend systems using Kotlin and AWS while mentoring junior engineers.
- Company: Join Zopa, a pioneering bank redefining finance with a people-first approach.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and a vibrant office in Manchester.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent career growth opportunities in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Be part of an innovative tech hub and shape the future of banking.
- Qualifications: Strong backend experience in Kotlin or Java and a passion for high-quality products.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 71500 £ per year.
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.
We're seeking a Senior Backend Engineer to join our Point of Sale squad in Manchester.
This team underpins Zopa's retail finance offerings — enabling smooth integrations between our platform and UK-wide retailers.
You'll work on designing and scaling distributed systems, crafting secure APIs, and ensuring data flows efficiently between merchants, customers, and Zopa's core services.
You'll bring deep backend expertise, contribute to architecture decisions, and mentor less experienced engineers as we evolve our platform to serve millions.
We're building a new tech hub right in the heart of the city — with real backing, big ambition and the support of an established, award-winning company.
You'll be part of a new engineering chapter in Manchester, helping shape how we grow and build the team from day one.
Kotlin, Kafka, Kubernetes, Docker, AWS, Aurora Postgres and more.
We work hybrid, with at least 2 days a week together in our Manchester office.
Designing, building and running scalable backend systems using Kotlin and AWS
Mentoring junior engineers and helping to raise the technical bar
Owning your team's code, quality and delivery
Writing well-tested, clean code
Making smart trade-offs between speed, quality and risk to deliver customer value quickly
Strong backend engineering experience using Kotlin or Java in a production environment
Passionate about building reliable, high-quality products — not just writing code
Advocates for testing, clean code, and automation throughout the development process
From September 2025, Zopa will be opening a brand-new office in Manchester at We Work, Dalton Place, 29 John Dalton Street, M2 6WF.
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.
Diversity Statement
Diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds leads to better products for our customers and a unique company culture for our people.
Senior PHP Software Engineer (Remote) in Manchester employer: Zopa
At Zopa, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a Remote Auto Account Manager in the North East, you'll benefit from flexible working arrangements, comprehensive training programmes, and ample opportunities for career advancement, all while contributing to a pioneering company in the fintech space.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior PHP Software Engineer (Remote) in Manchester
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Zopa or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Zopa.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Zopa.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Zopa that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior PHP Software Engineer (Remote) in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Zopa.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Zopa and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zopa
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Zopa uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
