Lead Backend Engineer (Payments Team)

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

• Intro call with our Talent team
• Technical interview with the Backend team
• Final conversation with our CTO

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