Lead Backend Developer (Python)

TL;DR

Lead Backend Developer (Python): Designing and scaling cloud-native backend systems, primarily with Python (FastAPI), with an accent on microservices architecture, API design, database performance, and scalability. Focus on leading architectural discussions, delivering complex features end-to-end, and shaping the long-term direction of the platform's service-oriented architecture.

Location: London, with 1 day a month onsite

Salary: £90,000–£120,000 per annum

Company

A high-growth Insurtech unicorn scaling its engineering function, working across proven revenue-generating products and greenfield initiatives.

What you will do

• Design, develop, and optimize scalable backend services using Python and FastAPI.
• Lead architectural discussions with a focus on performance, scalability, and reliability.
• Deliver complex features end-to-end, from design through deployment and monitoring.
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance through code reviews and best practices.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Product, Design, and Engineering teams.
• Shape the long-term direction of the platform's service-oriented architecture, championing AI and automation.

Requirements

• Strong background in building and scaling Python-based systems (FastAPI, Flask, or Django REST).
• Proven leadership experience in a development environment.
• Expertise in microservices, APIs, messaging patterns, and distributed systems.
• Proficiency with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and containerisation (Docker; Kubernetes preferred).
• Solid engineering fundamentals including testing, clean code, performance tuning, and algorithms.
• Experience with relational and non-relational databases (PostgreSQL, MongoDB).
• Comfortable working in agile, fast-moving environments with high ownership.

Culture & Benefits

• Work in a high-impact role driving product growth and system resilience.
• Opportunity to work across proven products and greenfield initiatives.
• Mentorship opportunities and influence strategic engineering decisions.
• Emphasis on continuous improvement of engineering standards and code quality.
• Support for AI and automation to enhance team productivity.
• Equal opportunities employer.