Backend Engineer

We are recruiting a Backend Engineer within our Enterprise Architecture team to help us build event-driven solutions and democratise data access across our technology teams.    

Your first task will be to become proficient in cloud-native data and event streaming solutions.  The next challenge for our team is to safely replace legacy workflows with event-driven architecture.  

You will join a vibrant Enterprise Architecture team, collaborating with Platform Engineers, Architects and Agile Delivery professionals.  You will mentor and serve a variety of engineering and tech teams across our Technology Services department.   

What does the job involve?

• Working with Architects, data specialists and engineers to build solutions that democratise access to data and events.
• Being responsible for the full software lifecycle.
• Working with Business Analysts and users to deliver solutions in a complex and fast-moving environment.
• Mentoring other engineers and agile teams to industrialise innovation.
• Continuous improvement, refinement and refactoring.

Key technical skills:

• Strong experience in developing services and APIs using C# and/or Java.
• Strong knowledge of relational and NoSQL databases.
• Secure development practices.
• Git-based source control.
• Knowledge of CI automation systems such as Jenkins

Bonus points for:

• Event streaming (e.g. Kafka, Kinesis) and change data capture (CDC).
• Messaging (e.g. RabbitMQ, SQS).
• Docker and Kubernetes.
• Solution and architecture design.
• Test-driven development (TDD).
• AWS cloud infrastructure (ECS, EKS, CodePipeline, RDS, CloudWatch).
• Previous experience working in e-commerce and/or financial services.
• Experience using GenAI tools, such as GitHub Copilot

Soft skills:

• Agile, SCRUM
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Keen to learn and develop
• Passionate, self-starting, flexible and enjoy working in fast-paced environments

About us:

AJ Bell is one of the fastest-growing investment platform businesses in the UK offering an award-winning range of solutions that caters for everyone, from professional financial advisers to DIY investors with little to no experience. We have over 644,000 customers using our award-winning platform propositions to manage assets totalling more than £103.3 billion. Our customers trust us with their investments, and by continuously striving to make investing easier, we aim to help even more people take control of their financial futures.

Having listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in December 2018, AJ Bell is now a FTSE 250 company.

Headquartered in Manchester with offices in central London and Bristol, we now have over 1,500 employees and have been named one of the UK's 'Best 100 Companies to Work For’ for six consecutive years and in 2025 named a Great Place to Work®.

At AJ Bell you can expect a friendly working environment with a strong sense of teamwork, we have a great sense of pride in what we do, and this is reflected in our guiding principles.

There are opportunities for growth and professional development for employees wanting to progress within their career including induction training and our study support scheme which is part of our benefits package.

There is an active programme of social events throughout the year, which are open to all employees.

In return we will provide all the training and support you need to develop within your role. 

What we offer:

• Starting holiday entitlement of 25 days, increasing up to 31 days with length of service
• Holiday buy and sell scheme
• A choice of pension schemes with matched contributions
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Annual free share awards scheme
• Buy As You Earn (BAYE) Scheme
• Health Cash Plan – provided by Medicash
• Discounted private healthcare scheme and dental plan
• Free gym membership, with an on-site gym providing a wide range of free classes
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Bike loan scheme
• Sick pay+ pledge
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave
• Discounted nursery fees at Kids Planet on Exchange Quay
• Loans for travel season tickets
• Death in service scheme
• Dedicated time for proof-of-concepts and assessing new tech
• Support to attend conferences, events, and meet-ups
• Paid time off for volunteer work
• Charitable giving opportunities through salary sacrifice
• Calendar of social events, including monthly payday drinks, annual Christmas party, summer party and much more
• Parking at Exchange Quay
• Personal development programmes built around you and your career goals, including access to personal skills workshops
• Ongoing technical training
• Professional qualification support
• Talent management programmes
• Peer recognition scheme, with rewards including restaurant and shopping vouchers or time off
• Monthly leadership breakfasts and lunches
• Casual dress code
• Access to a range of benefits from our sponsorship deals

Hybrid working:

At AJ Bell, our people are the heart of our culture. We believe in building strong connections by working together. That's why we offer a hybrid working model, where you’ll spend a minimum of 50% of your working time per month in the office. For new team members, an initial period will be full-time in the office to help you immerse yourself in our business and build valuable relationships with your colleagues.

AJ Bell is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and all employees are empowered to bring their whole self to work.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy, religion, physical and mental disability, marital status and any other characteristics protected by the Equality Act 2010. All decisions to hire are based on qualifications, merit and business need.

If you like the sound of the above, or just want to know more about the company and the role, we'd love to speak to you.