Lead Backend Architect – London

Intec Select; London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A global financial services organization is seeking a Lead Backend Architect in London to lead the design and evolution of backend systems. This key role requires extensive experience in backend development and architectural leadership, focusing on delivering scalable, resilient solutions. Candidates should have a strong background in microservices and automated testing. The position offers a competitive salary up to £150,000 and flexible working options.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Discretionary bonus

Flexible working options

Excellent relocation package

Qualifications

• 10+ years of backend development experience, including 5+ years in an architectural role.
• Proven experience in designing high-load, distributed systems.
• Strong understanding of microservices and API communication.

Responsibilities

• Define and oversee the end-to-end software development lifecycle.
• Establish engineering standards and lead robust automated testing efforts.
• Collaborate with DevOps to optimize CI/CD workflows.

Skills

Backend development experience

Architectural leadership

Microservices design

SQL and NoSQL databases

Automated testing methodologies

Golang development

DevOps collaboration

Tools

Kubernetes

Prometheus

Grafana

ELK

Job description

Lead Backend Architect – £150,000 – Financial Services

Overview
I am currently looking for a Lead Backend Architect to join my client who are a global financial services organisation and social network for investors. You will lead the design and evolution of our client’s backend systems, development processes, and infrastructure strategy. This is a key leadership role focused on delivering scalable, resilient, and high-performing solutions while fostering strong collaboration across engineering, DevOps, and monitoring teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and oversee the end-to-end software development lifecycle (SDLC)
• Establish and refine engineering standards, including coding, reviewing, and testing practices
• Lead efforts to implement robust automated testing (unit, integration, E2E)
• Collaborate with DevOps to optimize CI/CD workflows and release pipelines
• Design high-load, fault-tolerant, and highly available systems
• Apply modern architectural patterns such as microservices and event-driven architecture
• Ensure scalability, maintainability, and performance of backend services
• Develop and maintain comprehensive architectural documentation
• Conduct architecture reviews, technical audits, and drive adoption of best practices
• Partner with infrastructure teams to ensure system reliability and operational efficiency
• Integrate monitoring and logging solutions (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana, ELK)
• Define strategies for disaster recovery, scaling, and infrastructure resilience
• Improve observability by enhancing visibility into performance and error metrics

Skills and Experience Required

• 10+ years of backend development experience, including 5+ years in an architectural or engineering leadership role
• Proven experience designing and scaling high-load, distributed systems
• Deep understanding of microservices, service orchestration, and API communication (REST, gRPC)
• Expertise with SQL and NoSQL databases, including performance tuning and optimization
• Experience with Golang development
• Strong background in automated testing methodologies and tools
• Familiarity with cloud platforms, Kubernetes, and DevOps collaboration
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a strategic mindset
• Experience maintaining architectural documentation and leading technical reviews

Package

• Competitive salary – up to £150,000
• Discretionary Bonus
• Flexible and hybrid working options (office based in London)
• Option to work abroad with excellent relocation package

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