Senior Software Engineer (BackEnd)

Octopus Electric Vehicles Limited; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dog-friendly offices

Job summary

Octopus Electric Vehicles Limited is seeking a Senior Software Engineer (Python) to join our product and engineering team, building the systems that power our electric car leasing platform.

You will design robust APIs, work across data sources, contribute to frontend when needed, and mentor teammates in a fast-growing environment focused on greener, fairer mobility.

Qualifications

• Proven Python backend expertise with strong OO design.
• Experience designing and building APIs, ideally GraphQL.
• Familiar with relational (PostgreSQL) and NoSQL databases.
• Strong grasp of software engineering principles and maintainable systems.
• Proven collaboration across cross-functional teams.
• Experience using AI tooling to augment development.
• Track record of owning features from inception to delivery.

Responsibilities

• Design and build robust APIs integrating services to automate core processes.
• Architect and evolve backend data models for performance and scalability.
• Work across multiple data sources, designing expressive schemas.
• Contribute to frontend applications when needed.
• Maintain long-term code quality and reliability.
• Mentor colleagues and raise team capability.

Skills

Python

APIs design

GraphQL

PostgreSQL

NoSQL

AWS

Software fundamentals

Team collaboration

AI tooling

Ownership of features

Tools

React

TypeScript

Next.js

GraphQL

AWS

Job description

What we do. Electric Car Leasing

Why we do it. Greener. Fairer. Future.

We're looking for a Senior Software Engineer (Python) to join our product and engineering team building the systems that power our ability to revolutionise the electric car leasing industry.

Our tech stack is Python with GraphQL, PostgreSQL and NoSQL databases, running on AWS, with a React/Next.js frontend.

What you'll do...

Work within a dedicated cross-functional team on key products for our customers and internal teams.

• Design and build robust APIs, integrating our own and third-party services to optimise and automate core business processes.
• Architect and evolve backend systems and data models that are performant, scalable, and built to last.
• Work across multiple data sources, designing expressive, well-structured schemas.
• Contribute to frontend applications when needed, helping shape experiences that work well for our users.
• Care about the code you write and its long-term maintainability.
• Contribute ideas, share knowledge, support, mentor, and raise the game of those around you.

What you'll need...

• Deep expertise in Python, with strong software engineering fundamentals.
• Proven experience designing and building APIs, ideally using GraphQL.
• Comfort working with multiple data sources, including relational (PostgreSQL) and NoSQL databases.
• Excellent understanding of core software engineering principles and best practices, and a track record of applying them to build robust, scalable, maintainable systems.
• Proven experience collaborating within teams and across disciplines.
• Experience using AI tech and tooling to augment development
• A track record of taking ownership of features from inception through to delivery.

Any of the following would be a bonus

• Strong frontend experience with React, TypeScript, and Next.js, enough to engage with Full Stack engineering teams
• Experience with event-driven architecture/systems (EDA)
• Production experience with AI tech and tooling.

Why you'll love it here

• Octopus Electric Vehicles, part of the Octopus Energy Group, won the Sunday Times best company to work for in 2024. We were named 6th out of the top 100 start-ups to work for by Tempo in 2025 and on Glassdoor we were voted 50 best places to work in 2022. Our Group CEO, Greg has recorded a podcast about our culture and how we empower our people
• Wondering what the salary for this role is? Just ask us! On a call with one of our recruiters it's something we always cover as we genuinely want to match your experience with the correct salary. The reason why we don't advertise is because we honestly have a degree of flexibility and would never want salary to be a reason why someone doesn't apply to Octopus - what's more important to us is finding the right octofit!
• Octopus Energy Group is a unique culture. An organisation where people learn, decide, and build quicker. Where people work with autonomy, alongside a wide range of amazing co-owners, on projects that break new ground. We want your hard work to be rewarded with perks you actually care about! Visit our perks hub - Octopus Employee Benefits

Things to Note...

• just to let you know, we are dog friendly company so you may see our 4 legged friends in the offices - feel free to bring yours! Rest assured though, we've taken lots of precautions for those who have allergies
• We use AI to help us assess applications fairly and objectively. We're totally fine with you using AI as a tool to help prepare too. That said, when we get to the interview and assessment stage, we're really interested in hearing your unique perspective and real-world stories. That's the stuff we can't get from a bot or a prompt!

About us

The electric revolution has arrived - and from 2035 you’ll no longer be able to buy a new petrol or diesel car in the UK.

We’re building a whole new way for drivers to join the electric charge and not only learn about and shop for their EV online, but experience a 'lease for life' through an industry changing customer experience. This is the chance to join one of the UK’s most exciting start-ups - making it easy for individuals and businesses to go electric by getting their car, charger and energy all in one cracking deal.

Octopus Electric Vehicles launched in 2018 to make it seamless to switch to cleaner, greener driving. Our mission is to drive sustainable change, decarbonise the planet and provide our customers with fair pricing and a fantastic experience.

We're an Octopus Energy company - an innovative new energy supplier. We are part of the Octopus Energy Group, which seeks to improve the lives of millions of people by transforming the industries we operate in. The Octopus Group incorporates Octopus Energy, Octopus Healthcare, Octopus Investments, Octopus Property, Octopus Ventures and Octopus Labs.

Studies have shown that some groups of people, like women, are less likely to apply to a role unless they meet 100% of the job requirements. Whoever you are, if you like one of our jobs, we encourage you to apply as you might just be the candidate we hire. Across Octopus, we're looking for genuinely decent people who are honest and empathetic. Our people are our strongest asset and the unique skills and perspectives people bring to the team are the driving force of our success. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute. Our commitment is to provide equal opportunities, an inclusive work environment, and fairness for everyone.