At a Glance
- Tasks: Build and maintain backend services using Python and Django, solving real-world problems.
- Company: Zuma Labs, a disruptive tech startup revolutionising trading technology.
- Benefits: High-impact role with direct influence, creative culture, and growth opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborate with founders and traders in a dynamic startup environment.
- Why this job: Join a team that values innovation and make a tangible impact in the trading industry.
- Qualifications: Strong Python and Django skills; familiarity with analytical tools like Torch.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Zuma Labs is a disruptive technology startup building force multipliers for systemic industries. Our first two products, Venetian and Squawk, target the over-the-counter (OTC) trading markets. We work closely with our customers and count a large publicly traded brokerage among our partners. Trading technology is an old industry… and we’re here to change that. At Zuma Labs, we value creativity, entrepreneurship, and a genuine passion for problem-solving - but what we’re really looking for are born-and-bred hackers with a healthy disrespect for the status quo.
About the Role
You will work directly with the founder, experienced brokers, and traders, providing input that immediately impacts the business. You’ll be given broad tasks that support the company’s vision, with incredible autonomy over how to achieve them. Your work will apply the latest analytical techniques to real-world problems, prioritising working solutions over perfect answers. We want self-starters who are confident but humble, willing to ask questions, seek advice, and iterate fast.
Responsibilities
- Build and maintain backend services and APIs powering Zuma’s platforms using Python, Django, Torch, and SGLang.
- Collaborate with frontend engineers, product teams, and traders to deliver features that directly impact real-world users.
- Design and implement scalable, reliable, and performant backend systems.
- Develop and maintain microservices, containerized applications, and supporting infrastructure.
- Solve complex problems with practical solutions and data-driven approaches.
- Contribute to architecture discussions, code reviews, and testing strategies.
- Identify performance or reliability bottlenecks and propose improvements.
Qualifications
- Strong experience with Python and Django.
- Familiarity with Torch (PyTorch) for analytical or ML workloads.
- Proficiency in SGLang or willingness to learn domain-specific languages.
- A keen sense of system design and desire to build elegant, maintainable solutions.
- General understanding of supporting infrastructure: git, microservices, containers, etc.
- Comfortable working with numbers and data, with or without prior trading/finance experience.
- Experience with writing unit and integration tests and maintaining CI/CD pipelines.
Preferred Skills
- Experience with GraphQL or REST API development.
- Knowledge of asynchronous programming, message queues, or real-time streaming architectures.
- Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and container orchestration (Kubernetes/Docker).
- Exposure to data pipelines, analytics workflows, or ML deployment.
- Experience working in startup or product-led teams.
Pay range and compensation package
Work in a high-impact startup environment where your work immediately affects the business. Collaborate directly with founders, traders, and product experts. Apply your backend engineering skills to real-world problems that go beyond theoretical exercises. Grow as a developer and problem solver in a culture that encourages creativity, ownership, and experimentation.
Equal Opportunity Statement
We are committed to diversity and inclusivity.
Backend Engineer employer: Zuma Labs
At Zuma Labs, we pride ourselves on being a forward-thinking technology startup that fosters a culture of creativity and innovation. As a Backend Engineer, you'll enjoy the unique opportunity to work closely with industry experts and have a direct impact on our groundbreaking products in the OTC trading market. We offer an environment that champions autonomy, encourages professional growth, and values diverse perspectives, making it an exciting place for those eager to challenge the status quo.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Backend Engineer
✨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 Zuma Labs 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 Zuma Labs.
✨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 Zuma Labs.
✨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 Zuma Labs 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 Backend Engineer
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 Zuma Labs.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Zuma Labs 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 Zuma Labs
✨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 Zuma Labs 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.
