Track This Job
Add this job to your tracking list to:
- Monitor application status and updates
- Change status (Applied, Interview, Offer, etc.)
- Add personal notes and comments
- Set reminders for follow-ups
- Track your entire application journey
Save This Job
Add this job to your saved collection to:
- Access easily from your saved jobs dashboard
- Review job details later without searching again
- Compare with other saved opportunities
- Keep a collection of interesting positions
- Receive notifications about saved jobs before they expire
AI-Powered Job Summary
Get a concise overview of key job requirements, responsibilities, and qualifications in seconds.
Pro Tip: Use this feature to quickly decide if a job matches your skills before reading the full description.
Senior Backend Engineer (strong Java, SQL, AWS)
- Manchester (Hybrid – 3 days in office)
- £110,000 + 8% annual bonus + equity options
- Must be eligible for NPPV3 clearance (UK residency typically 3+ years) - please apply only if you meet this criterion
About the Role
We’re partnering with a fast-growing public safety SaaS organisation that’s building its UK engineering presence from the ground up. This is one of the first senior technical hires in the UK, and it's a pivotal role in shaping architecture, influencing engineering culture, and driving future growth. As the UK team scales, this position offers a clear path to more responsibilities, whether that’s stepping into a Tech Lead role to own technical direction and mentor engineers, or moving into People Management to help build and lead a high-performing team.
You’ll work on scaling distributed systems and integrating with external providers, all within a modern, agile environment that values autonomy and innovation.
What You’ll Do
- Own backend development across Java, SQL, AWS stack
- Design and enhance interfaces, frameworks, and infrastructure pipelines
- Deliver API integrations and solve scaling challenges
- Tackle brownfield development and legacy plumbing while driving modernisation
- Collaborate with US-based leadership and UK peers to ensure platform scalability
What We’re Looking For
- 8+ years’ experience in software engineering, ideally in SaaS or large-scale environments
- Strong Java backend expertise; SQL and AWS proficiency
- Experience with AI-assisted development tools like Cursor and Claude Code
- Experience with scaling systems and solving growth-related problems
- Familiarity with Agile delivery and impact-driven development
- React knowledge is a plus (not essential)
- Ability to articulate impact and outcomes in your work
Security Eligibility - you must be eligible for NPPV3 clearance, which involves:
- Detailed security questionnaire
- Criminal record checks (spent & unspent)
- Credit and financial history checks
- MI5 records checks
- UK residency (typically 3+ years; often combined with SC requiring 5 years)
Key Skills
Ranked by relevanceReady to apply?
Join Nicoll Curtin and take your career to the next level!
Application takes less than 5 minutes