Staff Back-end Engineer (Go Lang or Java)

MateHR; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

MateHR is seeking a Staff Backend Engineer (Go Lang or Java) to build and scale backend systems for a fintech startup with global reach. The role focuses on tens of millions of cross-border transactions monthly, involving architectural direction, anti-fraud initiatives, and high-performance design.

The position is hybrid, requiring in-office presence in London at least one day per week, and offers opportunities to influence engineering direction with senior stakeholders across product, data

Qualifications

• 7+ years of backend engineering experience building scalable production systems.
• Experience with GoLang and exposure to Java.
• Strong observability: logging, metrics, tracing.
• RESTful API design prioritising sustainability and compatibility.
• Familiarity with Domain-Driven Design and modular architectures.
• Knowledge of asynchronous systems using queues (Kafka).
• PostgreSQL expertise including schema evolution and transactions.
• Redis caching experience.
• Secure coding aligned with OWASP principles.
• Containerization with Docker throughout the lifecycle.
• Advocacy for test automation and rapid deployment.
• Ability to translate business needs into AWS infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Develop and scale backend systems handling tens of millions of cross-border transactions monthly.
• Guide architectural direction across teams and deliver scalable solutions from design to deployment.
• Own mission-critical components and establish standards of excellence.
• Set high-quality benchmarks for architecture, design, testing, reliability and performance.
• Collaborate with product, data analytics and growth teams to align engineering with business goals.
• Mentor and grow team members and leadership capabilities.
• Improve tooling and processes for sustained long-term impact.
• Support geopolitical expansion and anti-fraud initiatives.

Skills

Go/Java

RESTful APIs

DDD

Event-driven

PostgreSQL

Redis

Observability

AWS

Docker

Test automation

Distributed systems

OWASP

Education

Degree in Computer Science

Tools

Docker

Kafka

AWS

Job description

Staff Back-end Engineer (Go Lang or Java)

About the Opportunity:

MateHR is currently seeking a highly experienced Staff Backend Engineer on behalf of one of our most ambitious clients rapidly scaling fintech startup that’s reshaping global transaction services. This exciting organisation is quickly expanding its presence internationally, notably making significant strides within the UK market. You’ll become part of a passionate, collaborative team committed to delivering impactful financial solutions.

Role Overview:

As a core member of the backend team, you will play a vital role in developing and scaling sophisticated backend systems that process tens of millions of cross-border transactions monthly. Your responsibilities will range from geographical expansion projects to anti-fraud initiatives and optimising transaction efficiency, significantly impacting users worldwide. This is a hybrid position, requiring at least one day per week in the office located in London.

Your Impact:

Guide architectural and technical direction across various teams, executing scalable solutions from design through to deployment.

Solve intricate technical problems, taking ownership of mission-critical components and establishing standards of excellence.

Set and maintain high-quality benchmarks for system architecture, design patterns, testing, reliability, and performance.

Collaborate extensively with senior stakeholders across product, data analytics, and growth teams, aligning engineering objectives with strategic business goals.

Mentor and grow team members, enhancing their technical and leadership capabilities.

Facilitate team effectiveness by clarifying ambiguous challenges, eliminating obstacles, and making sound technical decisions.

Refine engineering practices and standards, improving tooling and processes for sustained long-term impact.

Your Background:

At least 7 years of professional backend engineering experience with extensive expertise in building scalable production systems.

Significant programming experience, with previous exposure to GoLang (though it does not need to have been your primary programming language).

Experience in maintaining high standards in observability, including logging, monitoring metrics, and distributed tracing.

Solid skills in RESTful API design, prioritising long-term sustainability and backwards compatibility.

Familiarity with Domain-Driven Design (DDD) and modular architecture.

Knowledge of asynchronous systems using message queues, coroutines, and event-driven architectures (Kafka).

Advanced expertise in relational databases, particularly PostgreSQL, covering schema evolution, optimisation, and transaction management.

Proficient in caching mechanisms using technologies like Redis.

Understanding secure coding standards, with insights into OWASP principles.

Experienced in containerization tools (Docker) throughout the development lifecycle.

Advocate for test automation practices, emphasising reliability and rapid deployment.

Capable of translating business requirements into AWS infrastructure solutions, balancing efficiency, security, and simplicity.

Preferred Qualifications:

Previous experience within the fintech or banking sectors.

Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related discipline.

Why Join:

Engage with a visionary fintech startup influencing millions globally.

Collaborate closely with industry experts and senior leadership.

Opportunities for significant professional growth and influence within the engineering community.