System design
Work through API boundaries, failure modes and the reasons behind a candidate’s approach to service design.
Backend & Systems · Manchester & UK
Specialized Backend & Distributed Systems Recruitment
Find backend engineers who can reason about systems, not just list technologies. We help Manchester and UK teams define the requirement and assess production judgement before a candidate reaches your interview stage.
Screen for the work. Not just the keywords.
Ryan brings 10+ years of software engineering experience to a peer-to-peer technical conversation. We agree the assessment with you first, then explain the evidence behind each introduction.
See our technical screening processTechnical scope
- Node.js
- TypeScript
- Python
- FastAPI
- Java
- Spring Boot
- Go
- C# / .NET Core
- Microservices
- AWS / GCP
- SQL / NoSQL
What the technical conversation explores
Data and consistency
Explore database choices, transactions, query behaviour, messaging queues and caching in the context of actual requirements.
Operating the system
Ask how engineers deploy, observe and debug services, including cloud responsibilities and decisions made during incidents.
Relevant roles, clearly defined
We work with product businesses of around 10–200 employees, including funded teams. Manchester and the North are our initial local focus; working arrangements can be remote, hybrid or on-site across the UK.
- Backend Engineer
- Senior Software Engineer
- Platform Engineer
- Backend Tech Lead
- Principal Engineer
Backend & Systems recruitment questions
Which backend tech stacks and languages do you specialize in recruiting?
We support searches across Node.js and TypeScript, Python and FastAPI, Java and Spring Boot, Go, and C#/.NET Core. Scope can include microservices, AWS or GCP, and SQL or NoSQL systems. We agree the essential stack and the depth of specialist assessment required for each role.
How do you verify a backend engineer’s system design and database skills?
We use a technical discussion grounded in systems the engineer has worked on: API design, database modelling, scaling decisions, caching, messaging queues and failure handling. We ask why choices were made, what failed and what the engineer would change. The shortlist records evidence and any areas requiring deeper client assessment.
Can you help us recruit backend engineers for remote, hybrid, or Manchester-based on-site roles?
Yes. We agree location, office expectations, working arrangements and any eligibility requirements before mapping candidates. Our initial local focus is Manchester and the North, with searches across the UK where the role allows.
Do you recruit senior backend engineers and tech leads or just mid-level developers?
Our focus includes senior engineers, tech leads and principal-level roles. Scope and screening differ: leadership, technical influence and ownership need different evidence from individual implementation experience.