Back End Developer

MI Select; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A pioneering AI startup in education is seeking a Senior Backend Engineer to shape backend architecture and improve system performance. You will design and maintain scalable APIs using Python and AWS, mentor team members, and integrate machine learning pipelines. Candidates should have over 5 years of experience in backend development, strong AWS knowledge, and familiarity with AI code generation tools. Join a fast-paced, innovative team and contribute to impactful technology solutions.

Benefits

Cutting-edge technology

Fast-paced environment

High autonomy culture

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in backend development.
• Strong expertise in AWS, particularly Lambda, ECS, EC2, RDS, S3.
• Experience with AI code generation tools such as Cursor or Copilot.
• Deep understanding of PostgreSQL and RDS management.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain scalable backend services and RESTful APIs using Python.
• Architect and optimise AWS infrastructure for reliability and cost efficiency.
• Build and manage PostgreSQL databases on Amazon RDS.
• Lead DevOps automation and infrastructure as code.

Skills

Python

AWS

FastAPI

PostgreSQL

DevOps

AI/ML integration

Docker

Tools

GitHub Actions

Terraform

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