Backend Engineer

And Digital; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday and flexible holidays

Pension: 6% + 2%

Aviva healthcare cover

Flexibenefit: £1000 value

Life Assurance

Income Protection

Eye test and glasses

Generous parental leave

Job summary

AND Digital in Manchester is seeking a strong backend engineer to design and build scalable systems across Java, Node.js, TypeScript, Python or Go. You’ll work with REST/GraphQL APIs, event-driven patterns, and cloud-native architectures on Azure, with IaC and CI/CD at the core.

You’ll collaborate with multidisciplinary teams in a consulting environment, balancing client outcomes with technical integrity while shaping architectural directions and sharing knowledge across the practice.

Qualifications

• Strong hands-on backend engineering with expertise in Java, Node.js, TypeScript, Python or Go.
• Design and build scalable, resilient backend systems including REST/GraphQL APIs.
• Experience with Azure and cloud-native patterns; exposure to GCP/AWS is a plus.
• Infrastructure as Code (Terraform preferred), CI/CD pipelines and modern deployment practices.
• Frontend contribution when needed, though backend-focused.
• Shape architectural direction and review designs with clear reasoning.
• Ownership of technical problems with pragmatic decisions and clear communication.
• Curious about AI patterns and practical应用 in line with client needs.
• Experience in consulting or client delivery and navigating ambiguity.
• Balance client outcomes with technical integrity and stakeholder communication.
• Act as a trusted technical partner within delivery teams and with clients.

Skills

Backend engineering

Java

Node.js

TypeScript

Python

Go

REST APIs

GraphQL

Event-driven

Azure

Cloud-native patterns

Terraform

CI/CD pipelines

Frontend awareness

Architecture direction

Ownership

AI patterns

Consulting

Client delivery

Communication

Tools

Terraform

Job description

About you:

• You care deeply about producing high-quality work that delivers real value
• You’re comfortable navigating ambiguity and solving complex problems collaboratively
• You bring strong expertise in your craft, alongside a willingness to keep learning
• You communicate clearly and build trust quickly with clients and teammates
• You’re pragmatic, adaptable and outcome-focused
• You enjoy sharing knowledge and helping others grow
• You value low-ego collaboration and enjoy working as part of multidisciplinary teams

What you’ll bring to the table:

Core Technical Expertise:

• Strong hands‑on backend engineering experience, with depth in one or more of: Java, Node.js, TypeScript, Python or Go, and the ability to work confidently across multiple languages when needed.
• Proven ability to design and build scalable, resilient, and maintainable backend systems, including REST/GraphQL APIs, event‑driven architectures, and distributed services.
• Hands‑on experience with Azure and understanding of cloud‑native patterns. Exposure to to GCP, AWS, or other Cloud Platforms would be a valuable plus.
• Solid experience with Infrastructure as Code (Terraform preferred), CI/CD pipelines, and modern deployment practices.
• Comfortable working across the stack, contributing to frontend codebases when needed, even though your strength lies in backend and systems engineering.
• Demonstrate ability to shape architectural direction, review designs, and use engineering good practice.
• Able to take ownership of technical problems, make pragmatic decisions, and clearly explain reasoning to both engineers and non‑technical stakeholders.
• AI & Emerging Technology
• Curious about emerging AI patterns, frameworks, and tooling, with the ability to apply them pragmatically in line with client needs.
• Understands where AI meaningfully enhances backend systems (e.g., classification, summarisation, anomaly detection) versus where traditional algorithms are more appropriate.
• Consulting & Client Delivery
• Experience working in a consulting or client‑facing environment, comfortable operating in ambiguous problem spaces and contributing to both solution discovery and delivery.
• Able to balance client outcomes and technical integrity, adapting approach and communication style depending on context.
• Acts as a trusted technical partner within delivery teams and with clients, influencing outcomes through clarity, pragmatism, and credibility.

Why join AND Digital?

We’re building a culture where talented people can do meaningful work, continue growing, AND enjoy the journey along the way.

Our model is designed to build belonging and connection: we’re organised into regional ‘Clubs’ of no more than 80 people, so you (and our clients) get the benefits of that small company feel while also being connected to a larger whole.

Our Practice Areas act as a ‘second home’ for our ANDis - a place where you can innovate and learn with like‑minded experts who care deeply about their craft, support each other generously, and believe the best ideas come from collaboration, not hierarchy.

Our culture is rooted in our values of Wonder, Share and Delight, and shows up through five traits that we celebrate and nurture in all our ANDis: we value curiosity, ambition and a growth‑mindset. We are deeply client‑centric. Most important of all we are human - we create an inclusive environment where people feel trusted, supported and able to be themselves.

By joining AND, we’ll provide:

• 25 days bookable holiday + flexible Bank Holidays
• Pension: 6% of salary paid by AND Digital with a further 2% paid by you (can be increased by choice).
• Aviva healthcare cover (including pre‑existing condition cover) for you.
• Flexibenefit: £1000 assigned to you via our benefits portal to select or upgrade the benefits that suit you the most. Any unused allowance from the £1000 can be taken as cash.
• Life Assurance.
• Income Protection.
• Eye test + first pair of glasses.
• Parental Benefits: Generous Enhanced Maternity and Enhanced Partner (Paternity) Leave.

AI Statement

We champion tech that helps people work smarter, but we want to get to know you! If you use AI to assist with your application or interview prep, please ensure all information submitted remains an accurate, truthful representation of your personal achievements and capabilities rather than generating false or misleading information. We may reject applications where AI is used inappropriately at any stage of the recruitment process.

Equal Opportunities Statement

Diversity and inclusion are hugely important to us, and we’re committed to providing equal opportunities for all. We’re actively recruiting for a diverse and inclusive workforce so want to ensure we do everything we can to support your application.

We want you to feel safe and empowered to let us know if you need any adjustments to be made to your application or interview process, so please speak to our recruitment team.