Junior Software Engineer

JR United Kingdom; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-funded deep-tech startup is seeking a curious and ambitious Junior Engineer in Southampton. This role focuses on building a groundbreaking database virtualization platform that enhances enterprise applications. You'll engage with senior engineers, tackle challenging problems, and contribute to significant growth while receiving competitive compensation and equity.

Benefits

Equity options

Mentorship from senior engineers

Opportunity for real ownership in projects

Qualifications

• Proficiency in 3+ programming languages like C++, TypeScript, Python, Java, Rust.
• Solid understanding of data structures, algorithms, and system fundamentals.
• Experience working with SQL databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle).

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of a database virtualization platform.
• Solve complex problems around speed, scale, and system design.
• Write clean, testable code and participate in peer reviews.

Skills

Proficiency in multiple programming languages

Understanding of data structures

Experience with SQL databases

Strong communication skills

Collaborative mindset

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP)

GitHub Actions

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

? Hybrid – Southampton (1 day fortnightly) | ? £40–60k + Equity | ? Deep-Tech Startup | ? £60B Market Opportunity

We’re hiring on behalf of a well-funded deep-tech startup that’s going after a £60B problem — making enterprise databases interchangeable. Backed by £1.2M in pre-seed and scaling toward a £7M raise, they’re already live with major customers and building out their UK engineering team as they hit their next growth phase.

If you're a curious, ambitious junior engineer who’s comfortable across multiple languages and ready to take on hard problems — this is your shot to learn fast, contribute early, and grow with the business.

The Mission:

They’re building a platform that lets enterprise applications move between SQL databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle, etc.) without needing rewrites — solving deep interoperability and performance challenges that most teams wouldn’t even dare touch.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Contributing to the development of a world-first database virtualisation platform
• Solving complex problems around speed, scale, and system design
• Working with modern tools and multiple languages (and learning new ones as you go)
• Writing clean, testable code and taking part in peer reviews
• Helping shape the early tech and product roadmap

What You’ll Need:

• Proficiency in 3+ programming languages (e.g., C++, TypeScript, Python, Java, Rust)
• Solid understanding of data structures, algorithms, and system fundamentals
• Experience working with SQL databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle)
• Willingness to tackle new tools and unfamiliar problems
• Strong communication and collaborative mindset

Nice to Have:

• Any experience with Docker, Kubernetes, or cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP)
• Knowledge of database internals or data migration concepts
• Familiarity with CI/CD (e.g., GitHub Actions)

Tech You’ll Touch:

Why You Should Join:

Solve real-world, enterprise-scale problems from day one

Work with senior engineers and learn in an environment that challenges you

Join just before a major growth phase — real ownership, real upside

Equity on offer — because your contributions will matter

If you’re excited by deep systems problems, fast growth, and building from scratch — hit apply