Senior Software Engineer

84674Th44Metrea9999; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance

Subsided gym membership / plans через:

Electric Car scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Free lunch on office days

Enhanced Parental Leave

30 days annual PTO plus b/h

Bonus Scheme

Personal development opportunities

Job summary

Metrea is seeking a dynamic backend engineer to join its software development team, building business software solutions and visualisations for the Enterprise. The role focuses on scalable code, feature delivery, and robust microservice or monolith designs within a hybrid UK team.

The ideal candidate has 6 years in backend development, strong Python and Django/FastAPI experience, and hands-on work with Azure, Kafka, Docker, Kubernetes, and Elasticsearch in an Agile setting.

Qualifications

• 6 years of experience as a backend engineer with a strong focus on web development, REST APIs and software architecture, ideally with Python frameworks.
• BSc level qualification in Software Engineering or equivalent Computer Science related discipline
• Strong understanding and practical experience of web development using Python Frameworks e.g. Django/FastAPI
• Experience with cloud technologies, preferably Azure, and tools like Kafka, Docker, Kubernetes, Elasticsearch
• Understanding and/or experience of team delivery in an Agile software development environment

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain well-tested, scalable code in alignment with our engineering principles and standards
• Lead the delivery of features and enhancements to production, coordinating cross-functionally where needed
• Architect, design, and implement microservices or monolithic solutions to improve functionality and performance
• Apply strong understanding of system architecture and design patterns to propose and implement effective technical solutions
• Troubleshoot, debug and resolve production issues, including conducting root cause analysis and implementing preventative improvements
• Actively contribute to code reviews, providing constructive feedback to uphold and elevate overall code quality across the team
• Collaborate effectively with teammates and stakeholders, contributing to technical discussions and leading design decisions
• Proactively identify technical debt, performance bottlenecks and architectural improvements, and drive initiatives to address them
• Consistently adhere to and help reinforce our Ways of Working, contributing to process improvements where appropriate
• Communicate progress, risks and trade-offs clearly to the team and relevant stakeholders to ensure alignment with the product roadmap

Skills

REST APIs

Web development

Software architecture

Python

Education

BSc in Software Engineering

Tools

Django/FastAPI

Azure

Kafka

Docker

Kubernetes

Elasticsearch

Job description

Company Overview

Metrea delivers effects-as-a-service to national security partners across five domains and more than a dozen mission areas. These include airborne ISR, electronic warfare, secure communications, aerial refueling, special air missions, aerial firefighting, and advanced simulation. We own the whole stack: designing, building, and operating turnkey capabilities that give our partners decisive, asymmetric advantage against rapidly evolving threats.

Our operating model is built around three interlocking pillars. The Support Groups provide a global shared-service – spanning people, finance, platform, operations, legal, and engagement. This frees up our Core Groups, who develop and own mission capabilities end-to-end, to focus entirely on delivery. The Market Groups apply a regional lens, ensuring that our agile and adaptable capabilities remain aligned to the wicked problems that matter most to our partners across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific.

At the heart of our model is a simple but powerful idea: be a true partner with skin in the game. Our partners need effects, not just equipment. By owning the full stack – from the lab to the field – we are able to drive a continuous cycle of innovation that keeps our partners ahead. It's a fast-moving, intellectually demanding environment where talented people are given real responsibility, work on problems that matter, and contribute to an enterprise that is growing quickly and deliberately.

Headquartered in Washington, DC, with facilities across the United States, the United Kingdom, as well as Continental Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Group Overview

The Digital and Synthetic Capability Unit (D&S) is committed to providing mission-driven information solutions that seamlessly bridge the digital and physical realms. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies and advanced platforms, we empower operational readiness and elevate situational awareness across diverse domains—including air, maritime, and space.

Position Summary

Metrea is seeking a dynamic and highly motivated individual to join our software development team, building business software solutions and visualisations for the Enterprise.

What You'll Do

• Design, implement, and maintain well-tested, scalable code in alignment with our engineering principles and standards
• Lead the delivery of features and enhancements to production, coordinating cross-functionally where needed
• Architect, design, and implement microservices or monolithic solutions to improve functionality and performance
• Apply strong understanding of system architecture and design patterns to propose and implement effective technical solutions
• Troubleshoot, debug and resolve production issues, including conducting root cause analysis and implementing preventative improvements
• Actively contribute to code reviews, providing constructive feedback to uphold and elevate overall code quality across the team
• Collaborate effectively with teammates and stakeholders, contributing to technical discussions and leading design decisions
• Proactively identify technical debt, performance bottlenecks and architectural improvements, and drive initiatives to address them
• Consistently adhere to and help reinforce our Ways of Working, contributing to process improvements where appropriate
• Communicate progress, risks and trade-offs clearly to the team and relevant stakeholders to ensure alignment with the product roadmap

What You Bring

• 6 years of experience as a backend engineer with a strong focus on web development, REST APIs and software architecture ideally with Python frameworks
• BSc level qualification in Software Engineering or equivalent Computer Science related discipline
• Strong understanding and practical experience of web development using Python Frameworks e.g. Django/FastAPI
• Experience with cloud technologies, preferably Azure, and tools like Kafka, Docker, Kubernetes, Elasticsearch
• Understanding and/or experience of team delivery in an Agile software development environment
• Drive to learn constantly and further your knowledge
• Strong leadership, organisational skills, proactive approach to task delivery and required documentation
• Great interpersonal skills, able to confidently communicate and articulate technical issues to non-technical team members

Benefits

• Private Medical Insurance
• Subsided gym membership / plans throughWellhub
• Electric Car scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free lunch on office days
• Enhanced Parental Leave
• 30 days annual PTO plus b/h
• Bonus Scheme
• Personal development opportunities

WorkAuthorization/SecurityClearance

The employee will have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom and will be able to produce right to work documentation. Employee must undergo a minimum of BPSS check. Employee must be willing to sign the Official Secrets Act.

AAP/EEO Statement

Metrea is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or other characteristics protected by law.

PositionTypeandExpectedHoursofWork

This is a full-time non-exempt position with typical working hours of Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Hours and work shifts may change in accordance with department and business needs. Exempt Employees must have the ability to be on-call and available, as business needs require. Non-Exempt employees may be required to work over 40 hours per week with approval from the department manager.

WorkEnvironment

This job operates on a hybrid working split, with a requirement of three days per week of office-based work.

Travel

This role may require occasional travel to other Metrea UK offices.

Our Firmware

At Metrea, our single core value is Rooted in Humility, and our four cornerstone attributes are Entrepreneurial, Systematic, Discerning, and Over-Deliver. These form what we call our Teammate Firmware. Just like technical firmware connects software and hardware, our Firmware is the constant interface between our mission and our people. It defines how we show up, how we work together, and how we solve complex problems.

Our team Firmware creates a web-like, hyper-collaborative, dynamically hierarchical way of working that helps us adapt quickly, communicate openly, and distribute decision-making to where expertise actually lives. It enables groups to self-organize around hard problems, shift fluidly as priorities evolve, and operate with the trust, curiosity, and discipline required in a complex mission space. This foundation allows us to deliver elegant, effective solutions and uphold our purpose: protecting our precious inheritance.