Senior Backend Software Engineer

MyEdSpace is an education technology platform that connects the best teachers on the planet with the students who need them the most - wherever they are, whatever their means.

Backed by $15m in Series A funding from some of the leading EdTech investors, we're ready to scale - and we want you to lead the charge with us!

We're on a mission to make a world-class education accessible to all.

We believe that every child deserves access to quality education, regardless of geography or socioeconomic background, to achieve their dreams and build a brighter future.

So if you're a top-performer, incredibly ambitious, and excited to redefine an industry on a societal level and make a real impact on the world - we'd love to hear from you!

Job Title: Senior Backend Software Engineer

Experience: 7+ years commercial experience as a Software Engineer

Location: Hybrid or Remote (HQ is in London)

Compensation: Highly competitive + bonus upside

We're building the platform that powers how thousands of families experience online learning - with a focus on clarity, strong domain design, and long-term thinking. As we evolve our architecture with new Java services (while still operating parts of our PHP ecosystem), your work will shape how these systems fit together and how the product scales.

You'll join a team that values engineering fundamentals, product thinking, and a culture where impact matters more than output. This is a place where senior engineers influence direction - not just execution.

• Strong backend engineering experience, ideally in Java (or another strongly typed language with willingness to work in Java).
• Engineering fundamentals over frameworks - you understand principles and treat frameworks as implementation details, not identity.
• DDD fluency - aggregates, invariants, boundaries, contracts, and ubiquitous language are not alien concepts to you.
• Value-driven mindset - you challenge scope, reduce waste, and focus on solving the right problem, not just shipping features.
• Operational maturity - you're comfortable owning code in production, from build pipelines to monitoring and iteration.
• Modern engineering practices - version control, CI/CD, containerised development, and cloud environments (AWS ideal).
• Clear, thoughtful communication - you work well in a remote-first, async-friendly environment.
• T-shaped mindset - deep backend expertise with the ability to collaborate effectively across other parts of the stack.

• Designing and building backend services in Java as part of our evolving architecture.
• Working with existing PHP systems where needed, and helping shape the path forward.
• Modelling domains, defining boundaries, and contributing to architectural decisions.
• Implementing clear, maintainable APIs and backend features that serve real user needs.
• Owning your work beyond delivery - build pipelines, observability, and production behaviour.
• Participating in code reviews, technical discussions, and shared decision-making.
• Improving performance, reliability, and security as the platform scales.
• Contributing to a culture of engineering excellence, learning, and thoughtful trade-offs.

We aim to keep the process efficient, transparent, and focused on mutual fit.

1. CV Screening

   Your application will be reviewed by one of our engineers to assess your technical foundation, relevant experience, and overall alignment with the role.

2. Screening Call

   A short conversation to get to know each other better.

   You'll learn more about MyEdSpace and how we work, while we'll explore what motivates you, how you like to collaborate, and whether our ways of working align.

3. Coding Exercise

   A take-home coding challenge designed to assess practical engineering skills - architecture, clean code, testing, and problem-solving.

4. Technical Interview

   A deep dive into your engineering approach - exploring past projects, technical decisions, and systems thinking. This session is typically joined by two engineers (or a Tech Lead and the Hiring Manager).

5. Culture & Collaboration Interview

   A closing conversation to ensure strong alignment with our values and ways of working.

PUT INTEGRITY FIRST Honesty matters. Tell the truth, and be straight up. Be transparent and do the right thing. This builds respect and reliability for our students, families and team members.

KNOW YOUR COORDINATES Understand where you are and where you want to get to. Know your strengths and acknowledge your gaps. Think from first principles. Question things, and never pretend to know what you don't.

RAISE THE BAR Own it and get it done. Do better. Iterate quickly and seek feedback. Deliver real value. Be excellent and lift others up. Share learnings and help your teammates improve.

LOVE TO BE WRONG Push boundaries. Be outside your comfort zone. Naturally you'll get some things wrong and that's okay. Embrace feedback. Learn from it and get closer to excellence.

WIN TOGETHER To achieve our mission, we have to work together. We all have a role to play, so help each other get there. We're stronger as a team so inspire, support and respect each other.

We're a team on a mission to transform education for the better. Joining MES means you'll be part of something ambitious, fast-moving, and full of purpose. Here's what you can expect:

• The chance to make a real impact: your work directly shapes the future of education.
• A fast-paced and high-growth environment where ideas move quickly and careers accelerate.
• A collaborative, supportive culture: we're head quartered in the UK, but we're a global team with colleagues in 15+ countries, bringing a rich mix of perspectives and energy.