Senior Backend Developer

We're looking for a passionate Senior Backend Developer who thrives on solving complex problems and building systems that scale. You'll be at the forefront of creating next-generation backend services that genuinely make a difference for our customers and business.

In this role, you'll have the freedom to lead, the support to grow, and the chance to mentor others — because we believe learning and sharing knowledge is what makes a team truly exceptional.

We believe great work happens when talented people have the best tools. That's why you'll have top-of-the-range equipment and a workspace designed for creativity, collaboration, and getting things done.

Job Title: Senior Backend Developer

Location: Liverpool City Centre on a hybrid working basis

Salary: £65,000–£75,000 depending on experience

What You'll Do

• Build and maintain scalable microservices in .NET 8.0 and Azure.
• Write clean, testable code with a focus on performance and maintainability.
• Collaborate with product owners and designers to shape features from concept to delivery.
• Participate in code reviews and mentor junior developers.
• Architect robust APIs and database solutions with clean, maintainable code.
• Deploy and manage applications using Docker and Azure cloud services.
• Contribute ideas, share feedback, and grow together with a team that values openness and collaboration.
• Bonus: Clean Architecture Understanding Clean Architecture and Mediator Pattern is a huge plus! If you have it, you'll help us build maintainable, testable systems that follow industry best practices.

Our Tech Stack

• Backend: C#, .NET 8.0, ASP.NET Core
• Database: SQL Server, Entity Framework
• Infrastructure: Docker, Azure
• Tools: Unit and Integration Testing, Git, Agile methodologies

What We're Looking For

• Proven senior-level experience building microservices running on Docker.
• Expertise in C#, .NET 8.0, and ASP.NET Core.
• Strong experience with SQL Server and Entity Framework.
• Hands-on experience with Unit and Integration Testing.
• A natural collaborator with strong communication skills — you thrive in a team setting.
• A culture fit who loves mentoring others, sharing ideas, and helping the whole team level up.
• Self-motivated, with a problem-solving mindset and a passion for building robust, scalable systems.
• Understanding Clean Architecture and Mediator Pattern is desirable but not mandatory.

Bonus Points For:

• Understanding Clean Architecture, Mediator Pattern
• Solid grasp of asynchronous communication in distributed systems
• Experience with high-throughput, data-intensive systems
• Contributed towards systems utilising Event-Driven Architecture

Why Join Us?

• Modern tech stack and a strong culture of engineering excellence
• Hybrid options within the UK
• Career progression into tech leadership or architecture
• Supportive environment with clear standards and plenty of opportunity to innovate

About Acorn Insurance

With over 40 years of experience, Acorn Insurance is a specialist provider dedicated to helping individuals secure motor insurance across the UK. We proudly serve more than 50,000 customers, ensuring they find policies that meet their needs and provide the peace of mind that comes with high-quality cover.

At Acorn Insurance, we offer comprehensive training and continuous in-house coaching. You'll receive in-depth, FCA-regulated industry knowledge and all the tools necessary to grow your career with us.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to fostering a culture where everyone feels respected and valued. As a Disability Confident employer, we ensure our workplace is accessible and inclusive, encouraging our people to bring their best selves to work every day.

The Acorn Group has been recognised as a Great Place to Work for 2024/5.

Grow with Acorn

At Acorn Insurance, we’re proud of our Liverpool roots — and even prouder of how far we’ve come. As part of the Acorn Group, we bring over 40 years of specialist insurance expertise to the table. From humble beginnings, we’ve grown into a national leader, now employing 1,700+ people across the UK and reached a milestone £750 million in total value of insurance policies written in 2024.

We’re growing fast, with new opportunities emerging every week. That growth is largely due to the values we share:

• 🦏 We run through walls for our customers and each other
• 🐐 We challenge the status quo
• 🐧 We succeed when we help those around us succeed
• 🐆 We decide quickly when the smart thing to do is use our judgement

Benefits:

• 🌴 35 days’ holiday (including bank holidays) with additional buy/sell options
• 🧠 24/7 mental health support & free counselling available
• ☝ Grow with us: Through career fairs, leadership programs, and learning on the go!
• 💸 Flexible benefits, including early access to salary via our internal platform
• 🏡 Hybrid working options to support work-life balance and individual needs
• 🎉 Recognition awards, social events & more

Our Commitment to our colleague’s:

These aren’t just words — they’re the principles we live by. And we’re proud to back them up with real action, earning recognition and accreditation from leading organisations that share our commitment to people and growth:

• 🧠 Mindful Employer – championing mental health and wellbeing
• ♿ Disability Confident Level 1 & 2 – creating accessible, inclusive opportunities
• 🌸 Menopause Friendly accredited – supporting every stage of life
• 🎖️ Armed Forces Covenant signatory – honouring those who serve
• 🏆 Great Places to Work 2024/25 – fostering an engaging and positive workplace culture
• 📈 Best Place to Work for Development – proud to be investing in people’s future
• 👩‍💼 Best Place to Work for Women – breaking down barriers to women's career progression

If you’re looking for a company with a strong culture, real career progression, and a people-first approach — all rooted in the heart of Liverpool — Grow with Acorn.

A Few Things to Know Before You Apply

We’re really excited that you’re considering joining Acorn! To help everything go smoothly, here are a couple of things to keep in mind:

If your application is successful, we will commence relevant employment checks prior to you commencing employment with us. These will include a standard criminal record check and an insolvency register check.

🌍 Visa Requirements

Because our training is quite comprehensive, we can only consider applicants who have at least one year remaining on their Graduate or Post-Study Work visa. At the moment, we’re not able to offer visa sponsorship.

💬 We’re Here to Support You

We’re committed to creating an inclusive, supportive workplace where everyone can flourish. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process—or once you’re part of the team—just let us know. Whether it’s flexible hours, adapted equipment, or a bit of extra support, we’ll work with you to make sure you can do your best work.