Backend Engineer & Java / Rust (Primary) & React (Secondary) & Ruby or Python

Owen Thomas | Pending B Corp; Remote; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading tech company is seeking a Backend Engineer (Contract) to innovate backend services using Java and Rust. This fully remote role emphasizes modern, performance-focused architecture and involves collaboration with frontend teams using React. The ideal candidate has senior-level experience in scalable backend engineering and cloud-native environments. This 12-month contract offers a competitive rate of £550-650/day, with potential for extension.

Qualifications

• Strong Java and/or Rust experience for backend development.
• Ability to design high-performance backend services.
• Experience with scalable architecture and distributed systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and build high-performance backend services.
• Contribute to architectural decisions for platform evolution.
• Collaborate with frontend engineers to deliver features.

Skills

Senior-level backend engineering experience in Java and/or Rust

Strong understanding of scalable backend architecture

Experience working in cloud-native environments

Contractor mindset

Job description

Backend Engineer (Contract) | Java / Rust (Primary) | React (Secondary) | Ruby or Python (Exposure) | Fully Remote (UK/EU-based) | £550-650/day | Outside IR35 | 12-month contract

Backend Engineer (Contract) | Java / Rust (Primary) | React (Secondary) | Ruby or Python (Exposure) | Fully Remote (UK/EU-based) | £550-650/day | Outside IR35 | 12-month contract

The Opportunity

We’re supporting a fast-scaling, globally distributed tech business that is evolving its backend architecture and investing heavily in performance, scalability, and long-term platform direction.

They’re looking for a Senior Backend Contractor with strong Java and/or Rust experience to help shape and build the next generation of backend services. Rust is particularly relevant to where the platform is heading, though Java remains important. On the frontend, the team works with React, and there is existing exposure to Ruby and Python, where a working, mid-level understanding is beneficial rather than core.

This is a high-impact, long-term contract within an experienced engineering team, ideal for a contractor who enjoys working close to product and infrastructure while influencing technical direction.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Designing and building high-performance backend services using Java and/or Rust
• Contributing to architectural decisions as the platform evolves toward more systems-level and performance-focused solutions
• Working alongside frontend engineers using React to deliver end-to-end features
• Supporting and integrating with existing services written in Ruby and Python
• Collaborating with product, platform, and infrastructure teams to scale critical systems
• Driving best practices around clean architecture, performance, reliability, and security

Core Skills & Experience

• Senior-level backend engineering experience in Java and/or Rust (production systems)
• Strong understanding of scalable backend architecture, APIs, and distributed systems
• Experience working in cloud-native environments
• Contractor mindset: able to onboard quickly, communicate clearly, and deliver value fast

Strongly Preferred

• Commercial experience with Rust, or a clear desire to work more deeply with it
• Experience working alongside React frontend teams (hands-on or close collaboration)

Nice to Have

• Mid-level exposure to Ruby or Python (not required to be expert-level)
• Experience working on systems at scale or within high-growth environments

Contract Details

• Contract Type: LTD Company (UK) / B2B
• Location: Fully remote (EU-based required for legal and timezone reasons)
• Duration: 12 months, with strong extension potential
• Start Date: ASAP

If you’re a Backend Engineer contractor with a strong Java or Rust background, looking for a long-term, high-impact Full stack role in a team that’s moving toward modern, performance-focused architecture, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply here for the Backend Engineer (Contract) | Java / Rust (Primary) | React (Secondary) | Ruby or Python (Exposure) | Fully Remote (UK/EU-based) | £550-650/day | Outside IR35 | 12-month contract, and we’ll be in touch if it looks like a good fit 🙂