Software Engineer - Backend (up to £160k)

Dex; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Dex, a partner company, seeks a backend engineer to build a mission-critical Rust/Python backend for real-time defence intelligence. You will design features, address extreme conditions, and ensure reliability through rigorous testing and benchmarking.

You will work on a Rust/Python stack with opportunities to learn from prominent open-source contributors, solving complex distributed systems challenges where degradation can occur by design.

Qualifications

• This role requires strong backend development experience in a systems language (Rust, Java, Go, C++, or similar).
• Proven ability to build and operate complex distributed systems with a focus on failure modes.
• Experience with edge computing, latency optimization, or platform engineering is highly valued.
• Familiarity with REST, GraphQL, gRPC/Protobuf, and Arrow interfaces is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement features, algorithms, and infrastructure for a mission-critical backend.
• Engineer for extreme conditions: intermittent connectivity and resource-constrained systems.
• Ensure robustness through testing and benchmarking across environments.
• Contribute to a Rust and Python-based stack and learn from open-source contributors.

Skills

Rust

Distributed systems

Edge computing

Latency optimization

Platform engineering

REST

GraphQL

gRPC

Protobuf

Arrow

Tools

Arrow

Protocol Buffers

gRPC

Job description

This role is with one of Dex's trusted partner companies. We work closely with their teams to truly understand their culture, goals, and what they're looking for, so we can match you with the right opportunity and give you context about the role before you commit to a process.

The role

This company builds AI software for real-time defence intelligence. Their systems operate on semi‑autonomous platforms, turning raw sensor data into actionable insights. The backend infrastructure faces extreme constraints: intermittent connectivity, embedded compute, low‑bandwidth radios, and air‑gapped networks where trust is never assumed. They're backed by leading investors and are one of Europe's fastest‑growing companies.

The work

• Design and implement features, algorithms, and infrastructure for a mission‑critical backend.
• Engineer for extreme conditions: intermittent connectivity, resource‑constrained embedded systems, and untrusted networks.
• Ensure system robustness and reliability through comprehensive testing and benchmarking.
• Contribute to a Rust and Python‑based stack, with opportunities to learn from prominent open‑source contributors.
• Solve complex distributed systems problems where partial degradation and failure modes are the default.

What You Bring

• Strong backend development experience in a systems language (Rust, Java, Go, C++, or similar).
• Proven ability to build and operate complex distributed systems, with a focus on failure modes.
• Deep expertise in at least one area: edge computing, latency optimization, or platform engineering.
• Familiarity with backend interface tools like REST, GraphQL, gRPC/Protocol Buffers, and Arrow.