Principal Go Engineer | Up to £200k | Hybrid London

ZipRecruiter; London; On-site; GBP 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative fintech startup is seeking a Principal Go Engineer to revolutionize core banking infrastructure. This is a unique opportunity to build and scale an open-source, AI-driven platform that aims to replace legacy systems in Tier 1 banks. You will lead the architecture and development of critical backend systems, working alongside a talented team of tech experts. With significant ownership and a clear path to unicorn status, this role promises not only a rewarding challenge but also equity in a company poised for rapid growth. If you're ready to make a significant impact in the fintech space, we want to hear from you!

Benefits

Equity

Ownership of core infrastructure

Work with a high-caliber team

Fast-paced environment

Clear path to tech unicorn status

Qualifications

• Expertise in backend development with Golang or similar languages.
• Deep understanding of distributed systems and high-availability environments.

Responsibilities

• Design and scale a fault-tolerant ledger using Golang and Kafka.
• Lead backend and DevOps decision-making for mission-critical systems.

Skills

Golang

Rust

Zic

C

Distributed Systems

Messaging

Concurrency

API Development

Problem Solving

Communication Skills

Tools

Kafka

CockroachDB

YugabyteDB

Job description

Job Description

Principal Go (Golang) Engineer | Stealth Fintech | London (Min. 4 days/week onsite in London) Up to £150k + Equity | Hybrid London

Maze is partnering with a stealth-mode startup that's rebuilding core banking from the ground up. They’re creating the world’s first open-source, AI- "Thin Ledger"—set to replace legacy infrastructure at Tier 1 banks.

We're looking for a Principal Engineer specialising in Go to lead v1 builds, define architecture, and ship mission-critical backend systems from scratch.

What you’ll do:

• Design & scale a fault-tolerant ledger (Golang, Kafka, CockroachDB/YugabyteDB)
• Architect distributed, multi-region infra with five-nines reliability
• Lead backend, DevOps, and CI/CD decision-making
• Embed AI into engineering workflows & ops
• Strong engineer with system engineering & system architectural experience; exceptional communicator across technical and non-technical audiences.
• Self-motivated, problem-solving mindset; open to non-traditional backgrounds.

You should have:

• Expert backend skill ideally in Golang, or Rust, Zic or C.
• Deep understanding of distributed systems at scale, messaging, and concurrency
• Experience in high-availability, high-compliance environments
• Bonus: Fintech, Trading or Financial Services background.
• Extensive API experience
• Experience as a founding member (10th hire or less) of an engineering team that successfully scaled.

Why join:

• Huge ownership: build core infra from scratch.
• Work with a high-caliber team, fast-paced and product-minded founders who have worked in some of the most recognised tech businesses in the world.
• Help define an open-source platform from day one.
• Clear path to tech unicorn status with fruitful equity included.
• Recently raised 8 figures in funding.

Apply within if your skillset matches!