Back End Engineer

Pontoon; Ringway; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Pontoon is recruiting two Backend Engineers to join a major UK financial services programme. You will help design and build a greenfield enterprise knowledge platform connecting AI services with enterprise systems, data and tools, across Leeds, Manchester or Edinburgh.

The role focuses on secure, scalable REST APIs, microservices, event-driven architectures, and cloud-native deployments using Kubernetes/OpenShift.

Qualifications

• Backend engineers with Java, Python or Node.js experience.
• Experience with APIs, microservices and distributed systems.
• Understanding of event-driven architecture and messaging.
• Experience with cloud, containers and Kubernetes/OpenShift.
• Knowledge of enterprise security, authentication and authorisation.
• Experience building reliable, production-grade platforms.

Responsibilities

• Build backend services using Java with emphasis on Python or Node.js.
• Develop secure, scalable REST APIs.
• Design microservices and event-driven architectures.
• Work with Kafka/Pub/Sub and cloud-native platforms.
• Collaborate with AI, Data, Architecture and Security teams.
• Implement CI/CD, monitoring and observability.

Skills

Backend engineering

Java

Python

Node.js

APIs

microservices

distributed systems

cloud

Kubernetes/OpenShift

OAuth/SAML

Tools

Kafka

Pub/Sub

GCP

Kubernetes/OpenShift

OAuth

SAML

Job description

Backend Engineer - Enterprise Knowledge & AI Platform

2 Vacancies | Leeds, Manchester or Edinburgh | Hybrid - 2 Days on Site

We're looking for two Backend Engineers to join a major UK financial services organisation embarking on an exciting technology transformation.

You'll be part of a multi-year programme building a new enterprise knowledge platform from scratch, designed to connect AI services and applications securely with enterprise systems, tools, and data.

This is a genuine greenfield opportunity where you'll help shape the architecture and build scalable, resilient services supporting AI agent workflows, enterprise knowledge access, integrations, and business process automation.

What you'll be doing

• Build backend services using Java 20% more focus on Python 80% and/or Node.js
• Develop secure, scalable REST APIs
• Design microservices and event-driven architectures
• Work with Kafka/Pub/Sub
• Conversant with GCP
• Implement OAuth, SAML and SSO
• Build cloud-native applications using Kubernetes/OpenShift and containers
• Develop CI/CD, monitoring and observability capabilities
• Work closely with AI, Data, Architecture and Security teams

What we're looking for

• Strong backend engineering experience with Java, Python, Node.js or similar
• Experience with APIs, microservices and distributed systems
• Understanding of event-driven architecture and messaging
• Experience with cloud, containers and Kubernetes/OpenShift
• Knowledge of enterprise security, authentication and authorisation
• Experience building reliable, production-grade platforms

The Opportunity

Join a multi-year strategic technology programme and help build a new enterprise AI and knowledge platform from the ground up.

The initial contract runs until 20 December 2026, with a view to extending as the programme continues.

Contract: Initial term to 20 December 2026, with a view to extend | multi-year programme

We respect and appreciate people of all ethnicities, generations, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, and more.

We do this by showcasing their talents, skills, and unique experience in an inclusive environment that helps them thrive.