Senior Backend Software Engineer

Who are we? Smarkets: Predicting the Future of Betting Smarkets runs one of the world’s most sophisticated prediction markets, handling over £29 billion in volume since 2010 and engaging 200,000+ traders globally. We’re a technology company that happens to revolutionise betting - from sports to political markets, to delivering the sharpest prices and the fairest odds. Our stack is designed for scale, reliability, and speed: Linux, Kafka, Postgres, Kubernetes, with Python 3, Rust, C++17, and React powering our platform. We build infrastructure that institutions trust while keeping trading accessible to everyone. Our edge? We’ve thrived through every market cycle, competitor, and industry revolution. At the heart of our success are our people. We create a high-performance environment where exceptional talent can thrive, blending deep business experience with a commercial mindset to drive strategic growth. If you’re ready to help shape the future of prediction markets with cutting-edge technology and a customer-first philosophy, Smarkets is where you belong. Responsibilities Lead the design, development, and optimisation of backend services written in Python and Rust Architect and build scalable, distributed systems to meet the evolving needs of the platform Enhance system reliability through robust monitoring and alerting systems Drive and enforce best practices in code quality, testing, and continuous integration/delivery (CI/CD) Collaborate with product managers and engineering teams to define and deliver complex, high-impact projects Mentor and guide engineers across the team, fostering a culture of technical excellence and growth Drive technical decision-making and contribute to the evolution of our backend architecture Ensure the performance and stability of critical services by implementing improvements with a forward-looking mindset Role Requirements 6+ years of experience in software engineering, with a focus on backend systems Familiarity with Python or at least one compiled language (Java, C++, Rust, Go) and are keen on learning Rust Proven experience designing and building distributed systems in modern cloud environments (AWS, GCP, or similar) Deep knowledge of DevOps practices and tools, including GitLab and Kubernetes (K8S) Strong experience with message queuing systems (e.g., Apache Kafka) and relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) Previous experience in Sports Betting or Finance industries is a plus Excellent communication skills, with a proven ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams Demonstrated leadership in driving complex technical projects to successful completion Our Values Our values are at the heart of everything we do - guiding how we work, collaborate, and innovate. They reflect what we expect of ourselves and each other to deliver the best results, while fostering a positive, high-performing environment: Push to Win: We set ambitious goals and relentlessly pursue them, always striving for exc