AI + Backend Developer

Grassroots Recruitment Ltd; Oxford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking a versatile Backend / AI Developer in Oxford. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in Java (Spring Boot) and Python, build scalable microservices, and integrate AI capabilities into systems. Key responsibilities include designing distributed systems, implementing security best practices, and collaborating across domains. Candidates should be well-versed in cloud platforms like AWS and GCP, and familiar with Agile practices. Competitive daily rates will be considered.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience delivering end-to-end solutions from concept to production.
• Proficient in cloud platforms such as AWS and GCP.
• Experienced in API-first design, security best practices, and observability tools.

Responsibilities

• Take solutions from concept to production using Java and Python.
• Build microservices and SaaS solutions with API-first architectures.
• Integrate AI capabilities into enterprise platforms.

Skills

Java (Spring Boot)

Python

Cloud platforms (AWS, GCP)

API-first design

Agile SDLC practices

Containerization

DevOps

LangChain

Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)

Tools

Spring Boot

Docker

JUnit 5

Mockito

Apache Commons

Job description

Overview

We re seeking a versatile Backend / AI Developer with hands-on experience delivering end-to-end solutions from concept to production. The ideal candidate brings strong expertise in Java (Spring Boot) and Python, with the ability to build scalable microservices, SaaS platforms, and AI-powered applications. You should be proficient in cloud platforms such as AWS and GCP, and experienced in API-first design, security best practices, and observability tools to ensure reliable, high-performing systems.

On the AI side, you have practical experience working with large language models (LLMs), prompt engineering, and frameworks like LangChain, with knowledge of advanced patterns such as Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and agent-based systems. A strong foundation in Agile SDLC practices is essential, along with familiarity in containerization, DevOps, and low-code/no-code platforms.

Experience across both backend and AI domains will enable you to seamlessly integrate advanced AI capabilities into scalable enterprise systems, making you a key contributor to building the next generation of intelligent, secure, and high-performance applications.

Responsibilities

• Take solutions from concept to production, with strong expertise in Java (Spring Boot) and Python for backend and AI-driven development.
• Build microservices, SaaS solutions, and API-first architectures to enable scalable, interoperable systems.
• Design and deploy distributed systems on cloud hyperscalers (AWS, GCP).
• Implement security best practices, observability (logging, metrics, tracing), and performance monitoring.
• Integrate AI capabilities into enterprise platforms using LLMs, LangChain, RAG pipelines, and prompt engineering.
• Collaborate across backend and AI domains, bridging workflows to deliver end-to-end AI-powered solutions.
• Work within Agile SDLC practices and leverage containerization (Docker), CI/CD, DevOps, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC).
• Explore and leverage low-code/no-code platforms for rapid solution delivery.
• Engage in architecture discussions, data modeling for structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data, and consideration of AI application security.

Key Skills & Competencies

Core Development

• Hands-on experience taking solutions from concept to production with Java (Spring Boot) and Python for backend and AI-driven development.
• Proficiency in building microservices, SaaS solutions, and API-first architectures.

Frameworks & Tools

• Backend: Spring Boot (web, data, cloud, security), JUnit 5, Mockito, database integration.
• AI: LangChain, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), MCP servers (as consumer and developer), and prompt engineering for LLM optimization.
• Libraries: Apache Commons, Guava, Swagger, TestContainers.

Architecture & Platforms

• Cloud: AWS, GCP; containerization (Docker); CI/CD; DevOps; Infrastructure as Code (IaC).
• Experience with workflow/orchestration engines and agent-based architectures.

Scalability, Data & Observability

• Design for scalability, performance, and extensibility across structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data.
• Security best practices with emphasis on logging, metrics, tracing, distributed debugging, and performance monitoring; awareness of AI security and model safety.

AI Development

• End-to-end development of AI-powered solutions; practical experience with LLMs, LangChain integration, RAG pipelines, prompt engineering, and model consumption via APIs.
• Bridge backend and AI workflows to deliver scalable enterprise platforms.

SDLC & Agile Practices

• Familiar with SDLC and effective collaboration in Agile environments; ability to leverage low-code/no-code platforms for rapid delivery.

Nice to Have

• Knowledge of Domain-Driven Design (DDD) and schema-first development.
• Experience designing plugin architectures and extensibility frameworks.
• Exposure to frontend development (HTML5, CSS3, TypeScript, responsive UIs) for full-stack collaboration.

Application & Equal Opportunity

To apply, please submit your CV and daily rate expectation by clicking on the relevant links. If successful you will be contacted by one of our consultants within 3 working days. Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications we expect to receive for this role, if you do not hear from us within this time you should presume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Grassroots Recruitment is acting as a recruitment agency and a recruitment business in respect of this contract vacancy. Grassroots Recruitment is an equal opportunities employer and recruiter. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of age, race, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion or disability.