Python Software Engineer

About Abound

At Abound, we are revolutionizing consumer lending in the UK and beyond by leveraging advanced AI and Open Banking data. Unlike traditional lenders who mainly rely on credit scores, we assess a comprehensive financial view—spending habits and repayment capacity—to create a more precise understanding of each customer's individual financial health. Having disbursed over a31.3 billion in loans directly to customers, our credit performance outperforms industry standards with only 3 defaults per 10 expected. Profitable within 2.5 years of launch and supported by more than a32 billion in funding from leading investors such as Citi, GSR Ventures, and Deutsche Bank, we are rapidly expanding our markets and product offerings.

Role Overview

We seek a passionate Software Engineer to strengthen our mortgage engineering team by developing robust backend systems that align with our mission. This role involves end-to-end feature ownership—from defining product and technical requirements to deployment and ongoing refinement.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy dependable backend features utilizing technologies including Python, Django, RESTful APIs, GraphQL, Pydantic, Postgres, and Google Cloud.
• Handle all stages of backend feature delivery, from initial design through implementation, testing, and iteration.
• Collaborate effectively with internal teams and external partners to manage features with cross-team dependencies.
• Partner closely with frontend developers to design outstanding user-facing and internal tools.
• Apply sound technical judgment to enhance system scalability, performance, and evolution.
• Contribute to backend architecture decisions involving API design, data modeling, system reliability, security, and developer experience.
• Continuously improve both personal and team output quality.

Candidate Profile

• Solid hands-on experience creating backend systems primarily using Python.
• Practical proficiency with the Django framework.
• Understanding of RESTful API design and consumption.
• Familiarity with GraphQL API design tailored for frontend applications.
• Experience working with PostgreSQL and relational database models.
• Knowledge of Pydantic, typed Python, or modern engineering patterns in Python.
• Some exposure to cloud environments, preferably Google Cloud, or a strong willingness to learn.
• A strong focus on clean architecture, well-designed APIs, and performance-oriented, maintainable systems.
• Product-oriented thinking, considering the purpose behind features developed.
• High sense of ownership and responsibility for deliverables.
• Ability to uncover unknowns, navigate ambiguity, and break down complex challenges into actionable solutions.
• Commitment to craftmanship, including writing clean code, conducting thoughtful code reviews, and mentoring peers.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with generating PDFs or managing document rendering processes.
• Background working in early-stage or rapidly changing product teams.
• Familiar with observability, monitoring solutions, alerting mechanisms, and infrastructure management.
• A data-driven mindset supporting decision-making processes.
• Receptive to innovation and the evolving influence of AI on product development and use.

Success Factors

Ideal candidates think beyond simple task execution, acting as product builders eager to learn and grow quickly. They identify opportunities for simplifying systems, clarifying APIs, and making thoughtful technical decisions. Comfort with ambiguity, asking insightful questions, decisive action-taking, and pushing projects to completion are key traits.

Culture and Work Environment

• A demanding, high-performance atmosphere where team members raise standards and own business outcomes, not just individual tasks.
• Focus on impact rather than hours; at critical moments, extra effort is embraced to meet business and customer needs.
• Fast-paced, iterative product delivery culture emphasizing learning from customers and continuous improvement.
• Strong teamwork across engineering, product, operations, and business functions.
• Adaptability to evolving priorities, valuing sound judgment and staying outcome-focused amidst change.

Benefits

• Equity participation giving everyone ownership in the company.
• Hybrid working arrangement with three days per week in the London office.
• 25 days annual leave plus 8 additional bank holidays.
• Two paid volunteer days per year.
• Paid one-month sabbatical after four years of service.
• Employee loan options.
• Free gym membership via WellHub program.
• Dedicated team wellness budget to support group activities such as yoga, tennis lessons, or bouldering.