Back End Developer
Posted 1 day ago by MI Select
£80,000 Per year
Undetermined
Remote
United Kingdom
Summary: The Senior Backend Engineer role is a remote position based in the UK, focusing on backend architecture and system performance for an early-stage AI start-up in the education sector. The candidate will work closely with AI engineers and frontend teams to build scalable backend services and integrate machine learning pipelines. This position requires a strong background in Python and AWS, along with experience in AI/ML tools. The contract duration is between 6 to 12 months, with the potential for a permanent position.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design, build, and maintain scalable backend services and RESTful APIs using Python (FastAPI/Django/Flask).
- Architect and optimise AWS infrastructure (Lambda, ECS, EC2, RDS, S3, CloudFront) for reliability and cost efficiency.
- Build and manage PostgreSQL databases hosted on Amazon RDS, including schema design, query optimisation, and backups.
- Collaborate with frontend engineers (React/React Native/Swift) to integrate APIs with web and mobile apps.
- Lead DevOps automation - CI/CD (GitHub Actions), infrastructure as code (Terraform/CDK), observability (CloudWatch, Grafana).
- Work closely with AI engineers to integrate and deploy machine learning pipelines into production systems.
- Implement security, monitoring, and data governance best practices.
- Mentor team members, set coding standards, and contribute to architectural decisions with the CTO.
Key Skills:
- 5+ years of experience in backend development (Python, Node.js, or Go).
- Strong expertise in AWS (Lambda, ECS, EC2, RDS, S3) - highly desirable.
- Exposure to integrating AI/ML services or APIs into production systems.
- Experience working with AI code generation tools such as Cursor, Copilot, or similar.
- Deep understanding of PostgreSQL (schema design, optimisation, migrations) and RDS management.
- Proven experience building RESTful APIs for high-performance web and mobile applications.
- Familiarity with Swift or React Native API integration workflows.
- Experience with containerisation (Docker, ECS/EKS/Kubernetes).
- A passion for start-up environments — ownership, speed, and hands-on problem solving.
Salary (Rate): £80,000.00 yearly
City: undetermined
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: remote
IR35 Status: undetermined
Seniority Level: Senior
Industry: IT
Senior Backend Engineer Work Location: UK (Remote) - You must be UK based with a full right to work Type: 6 to 12 months contract (with potential of converting to permanent) Reports to: CTO Experience Level: Senior / 5–10 years Salary: £75,000 to £80,000 (Flexible - Depending on experience) About Our Client Key requirements: Python, Fast APIs, AWS (Lambda), AI code generation tools: Cursor, Copilot or similar. Also experience working with AI/ML, and curiosity about AI is essential for this role. Our client is an early stage AI start-up in the education sector. They’re on a mission to redefine how students learn through intelligent tutoring and empower teachers with data-driven insights into learning progress using ML, GenAI, and modern data systems. Their cross-functional team of engineers and product leaders is building a platform that powers both mobile and web apps for users. They’re now on the lookout for a hands-on Senior Backend Engineer who can take ownership of backend architecture, scale system performance, and mature their DevOps and CI/CD practices.
What You’ll Do Design, build, and maintain scalable backend services and RESTful APIs using Python ( FastAPI /Django/Flask) ( Essential ) Architect and optimise AWS infrastructure ( Lambda , ECS, EC2, RDS, S3, CloudFront, etc.) for reliability and cost efficiency Build and manage PostgreSQL databases hosted on Amazon RDS, including schema design, query optimisation, and backups Collaborate with frontend engineers (React/React Native/Swift) to integrate APIs with web and mobile apps Lead DevOps automation - CI/CD (GitHub Actions), infrastructure as code (Terraform/CDK), observability (CloudWatch, Grafana) Work closely with AI engineers to integrate and deploy machine learning pipelines into production systems Implement security, monitoring, and data governance best practices Mentor team members, set coding standards, and contribute to architectural decisions with the CTO
What You’ll Bring 5+ years of experience in backend development ( Python , Node.js, or Go) Strong expertise in AWS ( Lambda , ECS, EC2, RDS, S3) - highly desirable, and DevOps pipelines (advantage but not essential) Exposure to integrating AI/ML services or APIs into production systems Experience working with AI code generation tools such as Cursor, Copilot, or a similar tool. This essential, as the team work these tools for speed and efficiency. Deep understanding of PostgreSQL (schema design, optimisation, migrations) and RDS management Proven experience building RESTful APIs for high-performance web and mobile applications Familiarity with Swift or React Native API integration workflows Experience with containerisation (Docker, ECS/EKS/Kubernetes) A passion for start-up environments — ownership, speed, and hands-on problem solving.
Why Join Join an early-stage founding team shaping the platform and product direction from the ground up Work with cutting-edge AWS and AI technologies in a fast-paced, high-autonomy culture Collaborate closely with experienced product and AI leaders