Senior Backend Architect: Python/Rust & Scalable Systems

Smarkets; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock Options

Pension Scheme

Health Insurance

Enhanced Parental Leave

Stay Fueled: meals & snacks

Cycle-to-Work

Learning & Development

Holiday: 25 days + 5 carryover

Flexible Working: Hybrid

Global Working: 20 days/year

Job summary

Smarkets is seeking a senior backend engineer to lead the design, development, and optimization of scalable Python and Rust services. You will architect distributed systems in the cloud, strengthen reliability with monitoring, and drive CI/CD. You’ll mentor juniors, collaborate with product and other teams, and shape the backend architecture for high-impact features.

Hybrid work in London, competitive salary and strong benefits. Previous betting/finance domain experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in software engineering with a backend focus.
• Proven experience designing and building distributed systems in cloud environments (AWS, GCP).
• Strong knowledge of DevOps practices and tools (GitLab, Kubernetes).
• Experience with message queues (Kafka) and relational databases (PostgreSQL/MySQL).
• Familiarity with Python or other compiled languages (Java/C++/Rust) and interest in Rust.
• Leadership and collaboration across cross-functional teams are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and optimization of backend services written in Python and Rust.
• Architect and build scalable, distributed systems to meet platform needs.
• Enhance system reliability through robust monitoring and alerting systems.
• Drive and enforce best practices in code quality, testing, and CI/CD.
• Collaborate with product managers and engineers to deliver high-impact projects.
• Mentor engineers and foster technical growth within the team.
• Influence backend architecture decisions and future evolutions.
• Ensure performance and stability of critical services with forward-looking improvements.

Skills

Backend systems

Python

Rust

Distributed systems

DevOps

Kafka

PostgreSQL

Cloud (AWS/GCP)

Kubernetes

Code quality & CI/CD

Tools

GitLab

Kubernetes

Docker

AWS / GCP

PostgreSQL

Job description

Smarkets is seeking a senior backend engineer to lead the design, development, and optimization of scalable Python and Rust services. You will architect distributed systems in the cloud, strengthen reliability with monitoring, and drive CI/CD. You’ll mentor juniors, collaborate with product and other teams, and shape the backend architecture for high-impact features.

Hybrid work in London, competitive salary and strong benefits. Previous betting/finance domain experience is a plus.