Senior Back End Developer

About us

We are a mission-driven accessibility start-up dedicated to transforming how neurodivergent individuals navigate their educational and professional journeys.

Since launching our first product, Present Pal, back in 2018, Estendio has empowered students across over 150 universities in the UK and US to excel in their presentations and communication skills, growing to a team of 20. Building on this success, we have now launched our second product, Tailo, an innovative reading platform designed to revolutionise content accessibility and comprehension.

Our vision is to make inclusivity the standard, not the exception. If you’re ready to help a brilliant team who are all committed to levelling the playing field through our brilliant tech then we’d love to talk to you!

What we’re looking for

We’re now looking for a Senior Back End Developer to play a key role in the continued growth of our Tailo platform. This role involves not only enhancing the Tailo API but also architecting scalable and reliable features that will enrich the content experience for our users. You’ll be part of a talented and forward-thinking team all working towards the development of our core API, infrastructure, and user-centric features.

We’re looking for someone who’s comfortable with change, open to experimenting, and ready to grow with us as we navigate exciting opportunities and fresh directions. If you’re flexible, adaptable, and energised by the ever-evolving nature of a startup, you’ll fit right in!

What you’ll be doing

Key responsibilities

• API development: Delivering the development and enhancement of the Tailo API to improve platform performance and capability.

• Infrastructure development: Collaborating in the building of a resilient infrastructure to support a reliable and high-performing API, ensuring seamless user interaction with the platform.

• Feature enhancement: Leading efforts in expanding current feature capabilities to boost platform scalability and reliability, optimising for robust user experiences.

• Machine learning integration: Using the strengths of Machine Learning to develop advanced features that facilitate smarter data processing and extraction.

• New feature development: Driving the development of new features that enhance reading experiences, support additional file types, and reduce content processing times.

What you’ll bring

Skills and experience

You’ll be successful in this role if you bring the following:

• Proven experience with Python as an API service and integration with third-parties.

• Proficiency in Javascript environments (Node.js), preferably utilising Typescript.

• Experience with Mocha, Pytest, or similar testing frameworks to ensure code quality and reliability.

• Proven experience with AWS infrastructure including CI/CD using AWS CDK, Pulumi, SST or similar technologies.

• Proven experience with Databases e.g. PostgreSQL and DynamoDB.

• A good understanding of SOLID design principles for creating scalable, maintainable code.

• Knowledge of security principles (e.g. XSS, CSRF) and experience in designing secure systems to protect user data.

• Experience of benchmarking and monitoring system performance using tools such as NewRelic, DataDog etc.

About you

• You’ll thrive being part of an early-stage startup, with all the challenges, ambiguity and excitement that brings.

• You’ll be ambitious for growth both for yourself and for Estendio and you’ll be someone who truly embodies a growth mindset in embracing challenges, learning in a field which is constantly evolving.

• Adaptability is one of our key values so you’ll need resilience to cope in a fast-paced environment, a can-do attitude and the ability to roll your sleeves up and get on with every part of the work.

Great to have

• Machine Learning & AI: Experience with ML integration, LLM, or OpenAI services.

• Search & query: Knowledge of ElasticSearch/Lucene query languages.

• Frameworks: Familiarity with React or Next.js for modern front-end development.

• Cloud & Infrastructure: Experience with AWS (SST/CDK), GCP, or Azure.

• API documentation: Interest in Swagger/OpenAPI for clear API communication.

• Accessibility: Passionate about accessibility and WCAG standards for inclusive design.

You’ll bring a positive energy to the company team dynamic - we are a small but close team so you’ll be someone who works in a self-directed but very collaborative way. If you have an interest in accessibility, and advocating for disabled individuals, then that’s a big advantage!

What we Offer:

• Location: Remote, with some hybrid work available at our Glasgow office. You’ll need the ability to travel to our Glasgow office four times per annum.

• Holiday: Allowance of 33 days (including bank holidays).

• Flexibility: We are currently operating under a 9 day fortnight work pattern so that we have every second Friday off. We also operate a core hours system.

• Pension: We operate our company pension scheme through Aviva.

• Wellbeing: We know how important wellbeing is to happiness at work and we operate a cash-back plan to help you cover some of the costs of everyday healthcare needs as well as a lot of 'nice to haves’.

• Assistive technology support package: We mean what we say about accessibility and we're happy to look at any reasonable adjustments you might need either within the recruitment process or when you're working with us.

• Home working budget: We want you to be set up for success so we give everyone £150 towards their home office set up.

• The team: The opportunity to work with an incredible bunch of folk who are committed to making real impact through tech for good - and having some fun along the way!

Our recruitment process

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of who we are and what we do. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities and we are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that you require. We also recognise the many talents and advantages of being neurodivergent so we are very open to applicants with neurological differences.

We have a 3 stage process to make sure we’re getting the right people to join our team; Initial Discussion, Line Manager Interview & CTO & HR interview.

We’re looking for someone who’s comfortable with change, open to experimenting, and ready to grow with us as we navigate exciting opportunities and fresh directions.

If you’re flexible, adaptable, and energised by the ever-evolving nature of a startup, you’ll fit right in!

Please note: You must be based in the UK and have the right to work in the UK.

We look forward to hearing from you.