Back End Developer

Lead Backend Engineer - Architect - Series A consumer tech startup | 6-week critical delivery | London (Hybrid) | c£650 per day outside IR35

We're recruiting a senior backend engineer to own and build an entire backend system from the ground up. This is a full ownership role for someone who thrives under pressure and ships fast.

The Challenge

Our client has a working POC, but the backend is the blocker to launch. They need someone who makes architectural decisions autonomously, communicates clearly, and drives forward without waiting for consensus. You'll be building the foundation for a consumer product recommendation platform launching in 6 weeks.

What You'll Own

The entire backend system: data models, database architecture, APIs for mobile front-end, third-party AI integrations, data pipelines, security, and validation. You'll be the most senior backend engineer, driving technical decisions and pulling the team forward as the product evolves.

This isn't about implementing someone else's vision. You own it.

What You Bring

• 7+ years backend engineering in startups, owning systems end-to-end
• Deep AWS and Python expertise
• Proven track record shipping under extreme deadlines with limited resources
• Experience designing data models and APIs for consumer products
• Self-motivated: you unblock yourself and move fast

Bonus points for: AI/ML backend experience, data pipeline work, mobile API design, healthcare domain knowledge, or seed-stage startup experience.

Who Thrives Here

You're an autonomous decision-maker who leads rather than follows. You're pragmatic about what "production-ready" means at different stages. You translate technical architecture into plain English for non-technical stakeholders. You take feedback and adapt, but you don't second-guess your core decisions when time is tight.

If you've owned an entire backend in a startup, if you make fast decisions and communicate them clearly, hands-on and ready to roll up your sleeves please get in contact!