Senior Java Engineer

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

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.

• 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

• 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 such as 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

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)