Backend Engineer

Kpler

United Kingdom

Hybrid

Who this role is best for

Best suited to experienced backend engineers working in maritime and logistics domains with a focus on real-time data processing and cloud infrastructure.

Best fit for

Candidates with 3+ years of backend engineering experience in cloud environments and real-time data systems
— “3+ years of professional software engineering experience delivering backend services and data pipelines in production.”
Individuals familiar with Java, TypeScript, or PHP and event-driven architectures
— “Design, build, and maintain high-performance backend microservices and APIs using Java, TypeScript, and PHP.”
Engineers who have worked on high-throughput, low-latency systems with a focus on data freshness
— “Experience working on high-throughput, low-latency streaming systems where data freshness is critical.”

Things to consider

The role requires strong cross-functional collaboration with product and platform teams
— “Partner cross-functionally with product managers, platform engineers, and peer teams to turn complex maritime domain needs into robust software.”
Candidates must be prepared to manage production incidents and perform root-cause analysis
— “Investigate production incidents, perform thorough root-cause analysis, and implement long-term structural improvements.”

How to stand out

Highlight experience with Apache Kafka, Flink, and Snowflake in your resume and interview responses
— “Develop and operate scalable real-time stream-processing applications using Apache Kafka, Kafka Streams, and Apache Flink.”
Emphasize your ability to optimize system health, throughput, and consumer lag
— “Optimize system health, throughput, and consumer lag across streaming infrastructure to maximize data freshness and platform uptime.”
Showcase your contributions to reducing technical debt through CI/CD, observability, and testing improvements
— “Reduce technical debt by continuously elevating software maintainability, observability, automated test coverage, and CI/CD practices.”

Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

Designed and deployed high-performance backend services
Optimized system health and throughput

Typical background

Computer ScienceSoftware Engineering

Skills & requirements

Required

Backend DevelopmentMicroservicesApisReal-time Stream ProcessingKafkaFlinkSnowflakeSQLKubernetesDockerGitops

Preferred

Test-driven DevelopmentModern Observability StacksHigh-throughput Systems

Stack & domain

JavaTypeScriptPHPApache KafkaKafka StreamsApache FlinkSnowflakeKubernetesDockerGitops WorkflowsSQLRelational Database DesignDistributed System FundamentalsDesign, Build, And Maintain High-performance Backend Microservices And ApisDevelop And Operate Scalable Real-time Stream-processing ApplicationsDrive End-to-end Technical Ownership Of Backend ServicesOptimize System Health, Throughput, And Consumer LagInvestigate Production Incidents And Perform Thorough Root-cause AnalysisReduce Technical Debt By Continuously Elevating Software MaintainabilityBackend EngineeringHigh-throughput Data ProcessingAPI Distribution Systems

About the role

Original posting from Kpler via Lever

At Kpler, we are dedicated to helping our clients navigate complex markets with ease. By simplifying global trade information and providing valuable insights, we empower organisations to make informed decisions in commodities, energy, and maritime sectors.
Since our founding in 2014, we have focused on delivering top-tier intelligence through user-friendly platforms. Our team of over 850 experts from 69 countries works tirelessly to transform intricate data into actionable strategies, ensuring our clients stay ahead in a dynamic market landscape. Join us to leverage cutting-edge innovation for impactful results and experience unparalleled support on your journey to success.
About the Role
As an Engineer II within our Engineering Maritime & Logistics division, you will play a pivotal role in designing, building, and operating high-throughput data processing and API distribution systems. You will take end-to-end ownership of real-time streaming applications, backend services, and reliable pipelines that deliver critical maritime intelligence to global consumers via Kafka, Flink, and Snowflake. By maintaining platform resilience and scaling event-driven architectures, your work directly powers the actionable insights our clients rely on to navigate complex global trade.
Key Responsibilities:
-
Design, build, and maintain high-performance backend microservices and APIs using Java, TypeScript, and PHP.
-
Develop and operate scalable real-time stream-processing applications using Apache Kafka, Kafka Streams, and Apache Flink.
-
Drive end-to-end technical ownership of backend services from design and testing through deployment, continuous monitoring, and production operations.
-
Optimize system health, throughput, and consumer lag across streaming infrastructure to maximize data freshness and platform uptime.
-
Investigate production incidents, perform thorough root-cause analysis, and implement long-term structural improvements.
-
Reduce technical debt by continuously elevating software maintainability, observability, automated test coverage, and CI/CD practices.
-
Partner cross-functionally with product managers, platform engineers, and peer teams to turn complex maritime domain needs into robust software.
Experience & Background:
What you'll need (Must-haves)
-
3+ years of professional software engineering experience delivering backend services and data pipelines in production.
-
Strong proficiency in at least two core backend programming languages: Java, TypeScript, PHP, or Scala.
-
Practical experience building and operating event-driven applications or data pipelines in cloud environments (AWS).
-
Hands-on experience with containerized deployments using Kubernetes, Docker, and GitOps workflows.
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Solid background in SQL, relational database design, data modeling, and distributed system fundamentals.
Nice-to-haves
-
Production experience with Apache Flink, Kafka Streams, or Snowflake.
-
Exposure to Test-Driven Development (TDD) and modern observability stacks (Datadog, OpenTelemetry, metrics, tracing).
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Experience working on high-throughput, low-latency streaming systems where data freshness is critical.
We are a dynamic company dedicated to nurturing connections and innovating solutions to tackle market challenges head-on. If you thrive on customer satisfaction and turning ideas into reality, then you’ve found your ideal destination. Are you ready to embark on this exciting journey with us?
We make things happen
We act decisively and with purpose, going the extra mile.
We build together
We foster relationships and develop creative solutions to address market challenges.
We are here to help
We are accessible and supportive to colleagues and clients with a friendly approach.
Our People Pledge
Don’t meet every single requirement? Research shows that women and people of color are less likely than others to apply if they feel like they don’t match 100% of the job requirements. Don’t let the confidence gap stand in your way, we’d love to hear from you! We understand that experience comes in many different forms and are dedicated to adding new perspectives to the team.
Kpler is committed to providing a fair, inclusive and diverse work-environment. We believe that different perspectives lead to better ideas, and better ideas allow us to better understand the needs and interests of our diverse, global community. We welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives and are an equal opportunity employer.
By applying, I confirm that I have read and accept the Staff Privacy Notice

Source: Kpler careers (Lever)