Senior Backend Developer

Narwhal Labs 🐋

Senior Backend Developer

Bristol (Hybrid)

The AI communications space is moving fast. We need an engineer who can move faster. 🚀

At Narwhal Labs, we're building intelligent systems that are changing how businesses communicate and we're looking for a Senior Backend Engineer to help us architect what comes next.

This is a role with real weight. You'll be designing and scaling the backend infrastructure that powers our AI platform, integrating cutting-edge LLMs and ML services into production, and acting as a technical anchor for a team of junior engineers who are looking to grow.

If you've ever wanted a role where your architectural decisions actually matter, this is it.

The role

You'll work primarily in Python, however you can expect a mix of:

• Designing and building scalable APIs and microservices
• Integrating AI/ML features and LLM-powered services into live products
• Contributing to platform architecture and long-term technical roadmap
• Mentoring junior developers through code reviews, pair programming, and real coaching
• Collaborating with product, design, and AI specialists to ship things that matter

What we're looking for

• 5+ years of backend experience with strong Python skills (plus previous experience with the likes of .NET/C# and PHP)
• Solid grasp of RESTful APIs, microservices, authentication, and database design
• Cloud platform experience — AWS, Azure, or GCP
• Hands-on exposure to AI/ML frameworks or LLM API integrations
• A natural mentor who gets as much satisfaction from growing people as shipping code
• Strong communicator who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment

Bonus: Docker/Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, MLOps, distributed systems, or frontend exposure (Next.js, React, TypeScript)

What you'll get

• Competitive, benchmarked compensation
• Real ownership of architecture, decisions, and your own career trajectory
• A front-row seat to the AI revolution, working with tools and problems most engineers don't get near
• A collaborative team that takes engineering quality seriously

We're building something ambitious. We'd love to build it with you.

Diversity and Inclusion

We're building something global at Narwhal, and we mean that in every sense. The work we do requires different ways of thinking — and different ways of thinking come from different people.

At Narwhal, we're committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences, and we actively work to ensure our hiring process is fair and accessible for everyone. Reasonable adjustments are available at every stage, just reach out and we'll make it happen.