Back End Developer

MI Select; Remote; GBP 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative AI start-up in the education sector is looking for a Senior Backend Engineer to design scalable backend services. The role requires solid expertise in Python and AWS, along with experience in integrating AI/ML services. This position offers the chance to work in a high-autonomy, fast-paced environment, optimizing system performance and leading DevOps practices. Join a founding team committed to reshaping how students and teachers engage with data-driven insights.

Benefits

Cutting-edge technology exposure

High-autonomy work culture

Collaborative team environment

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in backend development, preferably with Python.
• Strong expertise in AWS services like Lambda, ECS, and RDS.
• Experience with AI code generation tools such as Cursor or Copilot.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain scalable backend services and RESTful APIs using Python.
• Architect and optimize AWS infrastructure for reliability and cost efficiency.
• Lead DevOps automation and collaborate with frontend engineers.

Skills

Python

AWS

FastAPI

PostgreSQL

APIs

AI/ML Integration

Tools

Docker

Terraform

GitHub Actions

Job description

Senior Backend Engineer

Work Location: UK (Remote) - You must be UK based with a full right to work

Type: 6 to 12 months contract (with potential of converting to permanent)

Reports to: CTO

Experience Level: Senior / 5–10 years

Salary: £75,000 to £80,000 (Flexible - Depending on experience)

About Our Client

Key requirements: Python, Fast APIs, AWS (Lambda), AI code generation tools: Cursor, Copilot or similar. Also experience working with AI/ML, and curiosity about AI is essential for this role.

Our client is an early stage AI start-up in the education sector. They’re on a mission to redefine how students learn through intelligent tutoring and empower teachers with data-driven insights into learning progress using ML, GenAI, and modern data systems. Their cross-functional team of engineers and product leaders is building a platform that powers both mobile and web apps for users. They’re now on the lookout for a hands-on Senior Backend Engineer who can take ownership of backend architecture, scale system performance, and mature their DevOps and CI/CD practices.

What You’ll Do

• Design, build, and maintain scalable backend services and RESTful APIs using Python (FastAPI/Django/Flask) (Essential)
• Architect and optimise AWS infrastructure (Lambda, ECS, EC2, RDS, S3, CloudFront, etc.) for reliability and cost efficiency
• Build and manage PostgreSQL databases hosted on Amazon RDS, including schema design, query optimisation, and backups
• Collaborate with frontend engineers (React/React Native/Swift) to integrate APIs with web and mobile apps
• Lead DevOps automation - CI/CD (GitHub Actions), infrastructure as code (Terraform/CDK), observability (CloudWatch, Grafana)
• Work closely with AI engineers to integrate and deploy machine learning pipelines into production systems
• Implement security, monitoring, and data governance best practices
• Mentor team members, set coding standards, and contribute to architectural decisions with the CTO

What You’ll Bring

• 5+ years of experience in backend development (Python, Node.js, or Go)
• Strong expertise in AWS (Lambda, ECS, EC2, RDS, S3) - highly desirable, and DevOps pipelines (advantage but not essential)
• Exposure to integrating AI/ML services or APIs into production systems
• Experience working with AI code generation tools such as Cursor, Copilot, or a similar tool. This essential, as the team work these tools for speed and efficiency.
• Deep understanding of PostgreSQL (schema design, optimisation, migrations) and RDS management
• Proven experience building RESTful APIs for high-performance web and mobile applications
• Familiarity with Swift or React Native API integration workflows
• Experience with containerisation (Docker, ECS/EKS/Kubernetes)
• A passion for start-up environments — ownership, speed, and hands-on problem solving

Why Join

• Join an early-stage founding team shaping the platform and product direction from the ground up
• Work with cutting-edge AWS and AI technologies in a fast-paced, high-autonomy culture
• Collaborate closely with experienced product and AI leaders