Lead Backend Engineer

Kingfisher
London
11 months ago
Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Software Engineer

Senior/Lead Machine Learning Engineer (Predictions)

Senior/Lead Machine Learning Engineer (Predictions) London

Head of Software Engineering | £150k – Java, Machine Learning, and Data-Driven Innovation

Head of Software Engineering | £150k – Java, Machine Learning, and Data-Driven Innovation

Software Engineer

Overview

We’re Kingfisher, A team made up of over 82,000 passionate people who bring Kingfisher - and all our other brands: B&Q, Screwfix, Brico Depot, Castorama and Koctas - to life. That’s right, we’re big, but we have ambitions to become even bigger and even better. We want to become the leading home improvement company and grow the largest community of home improvers in the world. And that’s where you come in.

At Kingfisher our customers come from all walks of life, and so do we. We want to ensure that all colleagues, future colleagues, and applicants to Kingfisher are treated equally regardless of age, gender, marital or civil partnership status, colour, ethnic or national origin, culture, religious belief, philosophical belief, political opinion, disability, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation.

We are open to flexible and agile working, both of hours and location. Therefore, we offer colleagues a blend of working from home and our offices, located in London, Southampton & Yeovil. Talk to us about how we can best support you!

We are looking for a Lead Platform Engineer (backend python focus) to join our Group Data Science function, to lead and trailblaze the development and building of software platforms. Working across our retail banners and group functions, you will build platform roadmaps that will minimise time to value, maximise long term effectiveness and ultimately help us achieve our commercial goals.

What's the job Collaborate with Tech, Product and Data teams to develop the engineering platforms that allow us to apply and embed the use of data science directly in our products and processes Support diverse teams in translating between business and data in the design of project work, and in the synthesis and communication of recommendations and results Support the Data Science Leadership Team in developing a “data culture” and demonstrating the value of data in our decision-making Provide technical leadership and support for the junior members of the team What you'll bring Excellent knowledge and experience in Django and Python backend Excellent understanding of computer science fundamentals and machine learning Proven experience of delivering several high-quality software products and experience of productionisation Proven experience of developing cloud-based services using one or more cloud providers (preferably GCP) Strong management and leadership skills - including the ability to build, organise, motivate, mentor and manage a Platform Engineering team that supports a diverse range of initiatives Sensitivity and excellent influencing skills - ability to work with stakeholders across a variety of functions and levels of seniority

Be Customer Focusedconstantly improving our customers’ experience

We listen to our customers and colleagues

We innovate products and experiences to stay ahead

Be Human – leading with purpose, humanity and care

We do the right thing

We invest in our people and build great teams

Be Curious – thrive on learning, thinking beyond the obvious

We focus externally, globally and build the long term

We experiment and share our learnings

Be Agile – building trust and empowering people to work with agility

We act with pace, not perfection, role modelling 80/20

We take risks, fail fast and adapt quickly

Be Inclusive – inspiring diverse teams to achieve together

We celebrate difference as a strength

We collaborate, breaking down silos

Be Accountable – owning the plan, delivering results and growth

We focus on performance outcomes

We prioritise and simplify for others

At Kingfisher, we value the perspectives that any new team members bring, and we want to hear from you. We encourage you to apply for one of our roles even if you do not feel you meet 100% of the requirements.

In return, we offer an inclusive environment, where what you can achieve is limited only by your imagination! We encourage new ideas, actively support experimentation, and strive to build an environment where everyone can be their best self.

We also offer a competitive benefits package and plenty of opportunities to stretch and grow your career.

Interested? Great, apply now and help us to Power the Possible.

#LI-TB1

Rewards & Benefits

What we offer.

Private Health Care

Opportunity to receive up to family level cover with Bupa. Join within three months of starting or at annual renewal in April. (This benefit is subject to Benefit In Kind taxation).

Kingfisher Pension Scheme

Immediate eligibility through auto-enrolment. Contribute 8% to receive a max 14% from the Company.

25 Days' Holiday

25 days per annum plus bank holidays as stated in your contract (pro rated for part time colleagues).

Staff Discount

20% discount at B&Q and Screwfix. Eligible after 3 months service.

Kingfisher Share Incentive Plan (SIP)

Share ownership in a tax efficient way. Save between £10 to £150 per month. Join at any time once three months service is reached.

Life Assurance

x4 Salary plus benefit equal to value of your Retirement Account (if an active member of KPS-MP) or x1 Salary if not active member.

Bonus

Competitive bonus scheme that aligns to work level of role.

Kingfisher Share Save

Save with the option to buy Kingfisher plc shares at the end of a 3 or 5 year period. Offered annually. Three months service is required at the annual invitation date, normally in October.

Our Behaviours

At Kingfisher, we are united by our 6 core behaviours

Be customer
focussed

Constantly improving our customer experience

Be human

Acting with humanity and care

Be curious

Thriving on learning, thinking beyond the obvious

Be inclusive

Acting inclusively in diverse teams to achieve together

Be agile

Working with trust, pace and agility

Be accountable

Championing the plan to deliver results and growth

Get the latest insights and jobs direct. Sign up for our newsletter.

By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Portfolio Projects That Get You Hired for AI Jobs (With Real GitHub Examples)

In the fast-evolving world of artificial intelligence (AI), an impressive portfolio of projects can act as your passport to landing a sought-after role. Even if you’ve aced interviews in the past, employers in AI and machine learning (ML) are increasingly asking candidates to demonstrate hands-on experience through the projects they’ve built and shared online. This is because practical ability often speaks volumes about your suitability for a role—far more than any exam or certification alone could. In this article, we’ll explore how to build an outstanding AI portfolio that catches the eye of recruiters and hiring managers, including: Why an AI portfolio is crucial for job seekers. How to choose AI projects that align with your target roles. Specific project ideas and real GitHub examples to help you stand out. Best practices for showcasing your work, from writing clear READMEs to using Jupyter notebooks effectively. Tips on structuring your GitHub so that employers can instantly see your value. Moreover, we’ll discuss how you can use your portfolio to connect with top employers in AI, with a handy link to our CV-upload page on Artificial Intelligence Jobs for when you’re ready to apply. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap to building a portfolio that will help secure interviews—and the AI job—of your dreams.

AI Job Interview Warm‑Up: 30 Real Coding & System‑Design Questions

In today's competitive AI job market, nailing a technical interview can be the difference between landing your dream role and getting lost in the crowd. Whether you're looking to break into machine learning, deep learning, NLP (Natural Language Processing), or data science, your problem-solving skills and system design expertise are certain to be put to the test. AI‑related job interviews typically involve a range of coding challenges, algorithmic puzzles, and system design questions. You’ll often be asked to delve into the principles of machine learning pipelines, discuss how to optimise large-scale systems, and demonstrate your coding proficiency in languages like Python, C++, or Java. Adequate preparation not only boosts your confidence but also reduces the likelihood of fumbling through unfamiliar territory. If you’re actively seeking positions at major tech companies or innovative AI start-ups, then check out www.artificialintelligencejobs.co.uk for some of the latest vacancies in the UK. Meanwhile, this blog post will guide you through 30 real coding & system-design questions you’re likely to encounter during your AI job interview. This list is designed to help you practise, anticipate typical question patterns, and stay ahead of the competition. By reading through each question and thinking about the possible approaches, you’ll sharpen your problem-solving skills, time management, and critical thinking. Each question covers fundamental concepts that employers regularly test, ensuring you’re well-equipped for success. Let’s dive right in.

Negotiating Your AI Job Offer: Equity, Bonuses & Perks Explained

Artificial intelligence (AI) has proven itself to be one of the most transformative forces in today’s business world. From smart chatbots in customer service to predictive analytics in finance, AI technologies are reshaping how organisations operate and innovate. As the demand for AI professionals grows, so does the complexity of compensation packages. If you’re a mid‑senior AI professional, you’ve likely seen job offers that include far more than just a base salary—think equity, bonuses, and a range of perks designed to entice you into joining or staying with a company. For many, the focus remains squarely on salary. While that’s understandable—after all, your monthly take‑home pay is what covers day-to-day expenses—limiting your negotiations to salary alone can leave considerable value on the table. From stock options in ambitious startups to sign‑on bonuses that ‘buy you out’ of your current contract, modern AI job offers often include elements that can significantly boost your long-term wealth and job satisfaction. This article aims to shed light on the full scope of AI compensation—specifically focusing on how equity, bonuses, and perks can enhance (or sometimes detract from) the overall value of your package. We’ll delve into how these elements work in practice, what to watch out for, and how to navigate the negotiation process effectively. Our goal is to provide mid‑senior AI professionals with the insights and tools to land a holistic compensation deal that accurately reflects their technical expertise, leadership potential, and strategic importance in this fast-moving field. Whether you’re eyeing a leadership role in machine learning at an established tech giant, or you’re considering a pioneering position at a disruptive AI startup, the knowledge in this guide will help you weigh the merits of base salary alongside the potential riches—and risks—of equity, bonuses, and other benefits. By the end, you’ll have a clearer sense of how to align your compensation with both your immediate lifestyle needs and long-term career aspirations.