Senior Backend Developer

Ground Control; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

23 days holiday + bank holidays

Yearly bonus scheme & share options

Employee support & free flu jabs

Subsidised gym memberships

Employee Recognition Scheme

Employee Recognition Scheme

Job summary

A leading grounds maintenance company is seeking a Senior Backend Developer to join a product-focused engineering team. You will design and build backend applications that support complex workflows. The role combines exciting challenges in a hybrid working environment, fostering professional growth with clear career paths, benefits, and the opportunity to influence system architecture. Your experience in Python, API-driven systems, and scalable architectures will be key to making a significant impact in this role.

Qualifications

• Strong commercial experience as a backend developer using Python, ideally in a start-up or scale-up.
• Proven experience building and maintaining API-driven systems.
• Solid understanding of relational databases.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated testing.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure).
• Experience with containerised applications (Docker).

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain backend services.
• Build systems that handle complex business logic.
• Develop GraphQL and RESTful APIs.
• Ensure high performance, scalability, and reliability of backend systems.
• Write clean, maintainable, and well-tested code.
• Contribute to architectural decisions and long-term technical strategy.
• Support and mentor other developers through code reviews and collaboration.
• Collaborate with product managers, designers, and stakeholders to turn requirements into robust solutions.

Skills

Backend development with Python

API-driven systems

Relational databases (PostgreSQL)

Scalable backend architecture

Problem-solving skills

CI/CD familiarity

Communication of technical concepts

FastAPI willingness

Cloud platforms (AWS)

Docker experience

Tools

Python

Django

Graphene

AWS Lambda

Job description

Location: hybrid with 1 to 2 days in the office in London, E1.

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday

What you’ll do:

We are looking for a Senior Backend Developer to join a growing product‑focused engineering team. You will play a key role in designing, building, and scaling specific backend applications that support complex scheduling, operational, and data‑driven workflows.

This role offers the opportunity to work on technically challenging problems, influence system architecture, and help shape engineering best practices within a mature but evolving platform.

You’ll be working on systems that solve real operational challenges at scale, with the chance to make a tangible impact on both the product and the engineering culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain backend services using Python, Django, Graphene, and AWS Lambda.
• Build and evolve systems that handle complex business logic and constraints.
• Develop and maintain GraphQL and RESTful APIs for web, mobile, and third‑party integrations.
• Ensure high performance, scalability, and reliability of backend systems.
• Write clean, maintainable, and well‑tested code.
• Contribute to architectural decisions and long‑term technical strategy.
• Support and mentor other developers through code reviews and collaboration.
• Work closely with product managers, designers, and stakeholders to turn requirements into robust technical solutions.

Required Qualifications

• Strong commercial experience as a backend developer using Python, ideally within a start‑up or scale‑up environment.
• Proven experience building and maintaining API‑driven systems.
• Solid understanding of relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL).
• Experience designing scalable and maintainable backend architectures.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and attention to detail.
• Familiarity with automated testing and CI/CD pipelines.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex technical concepts to team members and stakeholders.
• Willingness to learn FastAPI.
• Knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS).
• Experience working on scheduling, optimisation, logistics, or operational systems.
• Knowledge of cloud platforms (Azure or similar).
• Experience with Docker and containerised applications.

Career Development Focus

We’re committed to supporting your professional growth with clear career paths, training, and tailored development programs, including our GC Leadership Academy, job‑specific accreditations and higher education opportunities.

Exciting Growth Opportunities

Be part of a rapidly growing company with a dynamic team and expanding client base.

Collaborative Environment

Work in a supportive, engaging, and innovative culture where your contributions are valued.

Competitive Package

Enjoy a competitive salary and benefits package, along with flexible working options, including:

• 23 days holiday, increasing with length of service + bank holidays.
• Yearly bonus scheme & share options.
• Medigold employee support, free flu jabs, online private GP service.
• Free or subsidised national gym memberships.
• Employee Recognition Scheme.

Ground Control is a UK‑based grounds maintenance company powered by the latest technology. Since launching in 1973, Ground Control has grown rapidly and now provides full national coverage for our customers across the UK and Ireland.

We deliver a range of services, including grounds maintenance, winter gritting, landscape construction, design, arboriculture, electric vehicle charging point installation to more than 50,000 commercial properties across the UK.

If you are looking to invest in your future with a business that puts people at the centre of everything, click the apply now button below to speak to a member of our team.

#INDHP

At Ground Control, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to thrive. We believe that diversity drives innovation and success, and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate based on sex, age, disability, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. We actively support and promote an inclusive culture, ensuring fair and equitable treatment throughout the recruitment process and beyond.