Lead Backend Engineer, Payments

About InvestEngine

InvestEngine is a fast-growing fintech based in London, on a mission to make ETF investing simple and accessible. Over 150,000 clients have trusted us with more than £3 billion in assets — and we're just getting started.

About the Role

We're looking for a Lead Backend Engineer to join and lead our Payments Team.

This is a hands-on leadership role combining backend engineering, technical ownership, and team leadership. The Payments Team owns one of the most business-critical domains at InvestEngine, responsible for payment flows, external provider integrations, transaction reliability, and operational efficiency.

The team is entering an exciting stage where we are looking for a strong technical leader who can help simplify complex systems, improve reliability, drive architectural improvements, and scale both the platform and the team.

What You'll Do

• Design, develop, and maintain backend services in Python 3.11 using Django / DRF

• Lead technical initiatives across payments infrastructure and integrations

• Drive improvements in system reliability, observability, and operational excellence

• Work closely with Product, Operations, Compliance, and external partners

• Investigate production issues and identify root causes rather than temporary fixes

• Improve legacy systems and reduce technical debt

• Lead architectural discussions and technical decision-making

• Mentor engineers through code reviews, pairing, and technical guidance

• Take ownership of delivery, planning, and execution of complex projects

• Help grow and develop the engineering team

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of backend development experience

• Strong Python and Django experience

• Experience leading projects or engineering teams

• Strong understanding of distributed systems, integrations, and system reliability

• Experience working with complex legacy systems and technical debt

• Ability to drive clarity in ambiguous situations

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

• Strong ownership mindset and proactive approach to problem-solving

• English (B2 level or higher) and fluent Russian

Nice to Have

• Experience in fintech, payments, banking, or other highly regulated industries

• Experience with AWS, Docker, MySQL, Redis, RabbitMQ, or Kafka

• Experience leading modernization or system migration initiatives

How We Work

We’re a lean, collaborative team where developers help shape architecture, product direction, and engineering culture. You’ll have real impact, autonomy, and the trust to build solutions that scale with the business — without micromanagement or heavy bureaucracy.

What We Offer

• Direct impact — work on business-critical systems and influence core architecture

• Strategic leadership opportunities — grow into a central technical role as we scale

• Modern tech stack — Python 3.11, Django, MySQL, Redis, AWS, GitHub, TeamCity

• Remote-first and flexible — work from anywhere, on your own schedule

• Unlimited vacation — take the time you need, when you need it

• A supportive, experienced team that values quality, learning, and delivering results

Hiring Process

1. Intro call with our Talent team

2. Technical interview with the Backend team

3. Gamified cognitive assessment to understand how you think and problem-solve

4. Final conversation with our CTO
   

Fast and clear process — typically 1–2 weeks from first call to offer.