Backend Engineer

HelloKindred; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

HelloKindred is seeking a skilled Backend Engineer to design, build, and maintain secure, scalable backend services supporting critical applications and AI-enabled solutions. You will develop robust APIs, integrate enterprise systems, and leverage modern cloud technologies.

Collaborate with product managers, data specialists, and architects to transform requirements into reliable, maintainable software. This role requires strong engineering fundamentals, best practices, and a proactive approach

Qualifications

• Proven backend development experience with Python.
• Experience building RESTful APIs and distributed systems.
• Hands-on with Python frameworks (FastAPI, Flask, Django).
• Experience with testing frameworks (pytest) and dependency management.
• Strong understanding of software engineering principles and API design.
• Experience with relational and NoSQL databases and data modeling.
• Experience implementing Generative AI solutions using LLM APIs.
• Knowledge of cloud platforms, containerisation, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Understanding secure software development practices and data protection.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain secure, scalable backend applications and RESTful APIs using Python.
• Deliver production-ready software with modern engineering practices (CI/CD, code reviews, documentation).
• Integrate backend services with enterprise systems and third-party APIs with proper authentication and resilience.
• Build and support AI-enabled capabilities including LLM integrations and RAG workflows.
• Implement AI governance practices, monitoring, and safety controls for deployments.
• Investigate and resolve defects, performance issues using logs, metrics, and tracing tools.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate requirements into technical solutions.
• Contribute to architecture discussions and provide estimates for planning and delivery.
• Stay updated on trends in software engineering, cloud, cybersecurity, and AI.

Skills

Python

REST APIs

Cloud platforms

CI/CD

LLM integrations

Security controls

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Tools

FastAPI

Django

pytest

Git

Docker

Job description

HelloKindred are specialists in staffing marketing, creative and technology roles, offering a range of talent solutions that can be delivered on-site, remotely or hybrid.

Our vision is to make work accessible and people’s lives better.We do this by disrupting traditional employment barriers –connecting ambitious talent to flexible opportunities with trusted brands.

Job Description

Anticipated Contract End Date/Length: May 7, 2027
Work set up: Hybrid (3 days per week in office)
Clearance required: BPSS checks. Candidates must be eligible for BPSS clearance

Our client in the Information Technology and Services industry is looking for a highly skilled and motivated Backend Engineer to join its growing technology team. This role will focus on designing, building, and maintaining secure, scalable, and high-performing backend services that support critical business applications and AI-enabled solutions. The successful candidate will play a key role in developing robust APIs, integrating enterprise systems, and delivering innovative solutions that leverage modern cloud technologies and Generative AI capabilities.

Collaborate closely with product managers, designers, data specialists, architects, and fellow engineers to transform business requirements into reliable and maintainable technical solutions. Demonstrate strong engineering fundamentals, uphold software development best practices, and contribute to the continuous improvement of the technology landscape.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain secure, scalable backend applications, services, and RESTful APIs primarily using Python.
• Deliver high-quality, production-ready software through modern engineering practices, including version control, automated testing, peer code reviews, CI/CD pipelines, and technical documentation.
• Integrate backend services with enterprise platforms, data sources, and third-party APIs, ensuring effective authentication, authorisation, resilience, and error handling.
• Build and support AI-enabled capabilities, including Large Language Model (LLM) integrations, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), prompt engineering workflows, and agent-based architectures.
• Implement AI governance practices, including model evaluation, monitoring, guardrails, security controls, and human oversight, to ensure responsible and reliable deployment of AI solutions.
• Investigate and resolve application defects, performance bottlenecks, and operational incidents using logs, metrics, tracing, and observability tools.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand requirements, define technical approaches, and deliver successful outcomes.
• Participate in architecture and technical design discussions, providing estimates and recommendations to support project planning and delivery.
• Stay informed of emerging trends in software engineering, cloud technologies, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, applying relevant innovations where appropriate.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of development standards, processes, and engineering practices.

Qualifications

• Strong commercial experience developing backend applications and services using Python.
• Proven experience building and maintaining RESTful APIs and distributed systems.
• Hands-on expertise with Python frameworks such as FastAPI, Flask, or Django.
• Experience using testing frameworks such as pytest and working with package and dependency management tools.
• Strong understanding of software engineering principles, including clean code, object-oriented and/or functional programming, debugging, testing strategies, API design, and source control.
• Experience working with both relational and NoSQL databases, including data modelling and query optimisation.
• Practical experience implementing Generative AI solutions using LLM APIs and orchestration frameworks.
• Solid understanding of RAG architectures, embeddings, vector databases, prompt engineering, AI evaluation techniques, agent workflows, and AI safety controls.
• Experience with cloud platforms, containerisation technologies, and automated CI/CD deployment pipelines.
• Knowledge of secure software development practices, including secrets management, access control, dependency management, and data protection.
• Strong analytical thinking, troubleshooting capabilities, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience building full-stack applications or working closely with front-end teams to define API contracts and user experiences is desirable.
• Familiarity with observability and monitoring tools, including application logging, monitoring platforms, and distributed tracing solutions, is desirable.
• Experience delivering solutions within regulated, enterprise-scale, financial services, or security-conscious environments is desirable.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Candidates must be legally authorized to live and work in the country where the position is based, without requiring employer sponsorship.

HelloKindred is committed to fair, transparent, and inclusive hiring practices. We assess candidates based on skills, experience, and role-related requirements.

We appreciate your interest in this opportunity. While we review every application carefully, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

HelloKindred is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.