At Great Yellow we're looking for a Software Engineer (backend) to join our team.
About the job
We’re building a new generation of tools to make complex environmental programme data simple, clear, and actionable, to help organisations accelerate nature recovery across the UK.
To do this, we’re looking for a backend-focused engineer, reporting to the Head of Engineering and working closely with the Product Lead and Senior Software Engineer. This role is hands‑on and impact‑heavy: designing and shipping APIs and services, shaping our data model, and building reliable pipelines that turn messy, multi‑source inputs into trusted information. You’ll focus on delivery and execution while keeping a pragmatic 0→1 mindset.
You’ll thrive here if you like owning problems end‑to‑end, from design doc and prototype to production rollout and iteration. Expect a modern, cloud‑first stack (AWS/Cloudflare), strong use of managed/serverless services, and a collaborative culture that values small, fast, well‑tested changes.
What you’ll do
- Build the first version of our digital platform. Help build and ship an MVP that users can test, learn from, and help shape
- Lay the technical foundations. Help design and contribute to architectural decisions that works for today’s needs and can scale as we grow
- Establish a trusted system of record. Integrate, harmonise, and curate internal and external data to power our platform
- Design and ship backend services and APIs. Implement reliable RESTful services (preferably TypeScript/Node.js with Python), and build secure integrations with third‑party data providers
- Own our data architecture. Design and iterate on data models and schemas; define data models and relational schemas (PostgreSQL) and support analytics/AI via warehouses/lakes where needed
- Build event‑driven data pipelines. Create robust ETL/ELT workflows and asynchronous processing using queues/message brokers
- Operate in the cloud with reliability. Deploy and run services on (primarily on Cloudflare, but also light use of GCP and AWS) using managed/serverless components, with security, monitoring, and cost efficiency baked in
- Collaborate and raise the bar. Work tightly with Tech/Product and peers, champion code quality, testing, documentation, and continuous improvement
Requirements
- Experience: 4+ years of backend or data‑focused software engineering experience delivering production systems in fast‑paced environments, comfortable working in ambiguity, turning ideas into working software
- Skillset: Proficiency in backend development (preferably TypeScript/Node.js), designing and operating RESTful services and third‑party integrations
- Data: Strong data modelling and SQL skills with PostgreSQL; experience building end‑to‑end ETL/ELT pipelines and event‑driven processing using queues/brokers
- Cloud: Hands‑on cloud experience
- Versatility: Demonstrate versatility and adaptability in a fast‑paced startup environment, comfortable managing shifting priorities and contributing to foundational processes that are built to scale
- Communication: Communicate clearly with product and engineering peers, with the ability to translate business goals and product requirements into technical solutions
- Passion for sustainability and conservation finance, with a commitment to tackling climate change and biodiversity loss
- Locality: Based within commuting distance of London, with the ability to work 1‑2 days per week from our central office if needed
- AI Fluency: Demonstrated ability to architect and deliver AI‑empowered product features (agents, tool‑use, orchestration, evaluation loops), staying current with emerging patterns and model capabilities
Beneficial Skills
- BSc or similar in Computer Science or equivalent practical experience
- Knowledge of Domain‑Driven Design (DDD) principles
- Proficiency in a secondary scripting language such as Python
- Familiarity with infrastructure‑as‑code, security fundamentals, monitoring/alerting, and cost‑aware operations
- Familiarity with Graph Databases and Knowledge Graphs
- Experience with data warehousing solutions and ELTs
Why Join Great Yellow?
- Be part of an innovative start‑up that’s breaking new ground in finance and ecological restoration
- Engage in meaningful work with the potential to make a lasting impact on the planet
- Work alongside a passionate and diverse team in an environment that values flexibility, collaboration, autonomy, and growth
- Our culture is built on three principles: All for the Hive (shared leadership and collaboration), Shameless Ambition (raise the bar, speak directly), and Design the Future (think big, learn by doing, own it)
- We’re big believers in flexibility — work where you do your best thinking — but we also value getting together in our office to share ideas (and coffee)
Apply for the job
Do you want to join our team as our new Software Engineer? Then we'd love to hear about you!
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