Backend Software Engineer - Python (we have office locations in Cambridge, Leeds and London)

Genomics England is a global leader in enabling genomic medicine and research, focused on creating a world where everyone benefits from genomic healthcare. Building on the 100,000 Genomes Project, we support the NHS’s world-first national whole genome sequencing service and run the growing National Genomic Research Library, alongside delivering numerous major genomics initiatives. By connecting research and clinical care at national scale, we enable immediate healthcare benefits and advances for the future.

Our mission is to provide the evidence and digital systems so that by 2035 genomics could play a role in up to half of all healthcare interactions, whilst securing the UK’s position as the best place to discover, prove and benefit from genomic innovations.

We are accelerating our impact and working with patients, doctors, scientists, government and industry to improve genomic testing, and help researchers access the health data and technology they need to make new medical discoveries and create more effective, targeted medicines for everybody.

Behind the Healthcare and Research outcomes, Genomics England delivers through designing, developing and operating complex healthcare software systems.

We're on the cusp of big changes with the real prospect of genomics becoming the fabric of everyday healthcare through the lifetime – from birth to old age.

Job Description

Backend Software Engineer - Python

Join Genomics England and use your backend engineering skills to make a difference in genomics and healthcare. We’re looking for an experienced Software Engineer with a demonstrable track record of delivering and owning backend software.

The role

You’ll use your Python expertise to design and develop scalable backend services, REST APIs and cloud-native applications on AWS. Working across databases, microservices and identity management solutions, you’ll deliver secure, reliable platforms.

Your work will help build and evolve products that support genomic testing, clinical decision making and research at national scale. You’ll contribute to the systems and services that enable large-scale genomic research in a collaborative, supportive and empowering environment.

Your team

You’ll join the Interpretation Portal (IP) team and provide software engineering expertise for the Decision Support System (DSS). DSS is a key component of our Healthcare Genomics Service.

Your Responsibilities

Backend development and feature ownership

• Lead feature development across the team.
• Design and develop scalable, high-quality Python software following best practices.
• Design, develop and maintain REST APIs for internal and external integrations.
  
  

Cloud infrastructure, data and identity

• Design and maintain resources hosted on AWS, ensuring reliability and efficiency.
• Work with relational databases, including AWS RDS and SQL-based solutions.
• Support and integrate identity and access management solutions, including Okta and other Identity Providers (IdPs).
  
  

Quality and troubleshooting

• Build and enhance test automation frameworks to support robust, reliable applications.
• Troubleshoot and help resolve issues during development and testing.
  
  

Collaboration and continuous learning

• Work closely with front-end developers, QA and Platform Engineers to create reliable, seamless solutions.
• Use tools such as GitLab, Confluence and Jira to support collaborative development.
• Collaborate with third-party suppliers to create technical specifications.
• Stay informed about industry trends and embrace new technologies.
  
  

Skills And Experience For Success

• Python: expertise in developing scalable solutions.
• AWS and architecture: experience with AWS services, including IAM, and microservice architectures.
• Databases: experience with relational databases and SQL, ideally Postgres.
• REST APIs: experience designing, developing and consuming APIs.
• Identity and authentication: experience integrating with platforms such as Okta or similar Identity Providers (IdPs).
• Development practices: familiarity with agile methodologies and test-driven development.
• Teamwork and problem solving: a proactive, collaborative approach supported by collaborative tools.
  
  

Additional Skills We’d Love To See

• Experience with Amazon API Gateway, ECS, Fargate and Lambda.
• Experience with test automation frameworks.
• Familiarity with front-end React development, knowledge of JavaScript for front-end applications, or a willingness to learn.
• A strong understanding of code review best practices.
• Experience mentoring and/or coaching junior team members.
  
  

Make a difference

Use your Python and backend engineering skills to build the systems, services and platforms that enable genomic medicine and research at national scale. If you want your work to directly support life-changing genomic research and healthcare innovation, we’d love to hear from you.

Qualifications

BSc in Computer Science or equivalent experience

Additional Information

Closing date for applications: Friday 20th November at 23:00 (UK time)

Salary from: £73,500 per annum

Please note: we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

Being an integral part of such a meaningful mission is extremely rewarding in itself, but in order to support our people, we’re continually improving our benefits package. We pride ourselves on investing in our people and supporting them to achieve their career goals, as well as offering a benefits package including:

• Generous Leave: 30 days’ holiday, plus bank holidays, plus additional leave for long service, and also the option to apply for up to 30 days of remote working abroad annually (approval required).
• Family-Friendly: Blended working arrangements, flexible working, enhanced maternity, paternity and shared parental leave benefits.
• Pension & Financial: Defined contribution pension (Genomics England double-matches up to 10%, however you can contribute more if you wish), Life Assurance (3x salary), an Electric Vehicle salary sacrifice scheme and a Give As You Earn scheme.
• Learning & Development: Individual learning budgets, support for training and certifications, and reimbursement for one annual professional subscription (approval required).
• Recognition & Rewards: Employee recognition programme and referral scheme.
• Health & Wellbeing: Subsidised gym membership, a free Headspace account, and access to an Employee Assistance Programme, eye tests, flu jabs.
  
  

Equal opportunities and our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace

Genomics England is actively committed to providing and supporting an inclusive environment that promotes equity, diversity and inclusion best practice both within our community and in any other area where we have influence. We are proud of our diverse community where everyone can come to work and feel welcomed and treated with respect regardless of any disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, or social background.

Genomics England’s policies of non-discrimination and equity and will be applied fairly to all people, regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, being pregnant or recently becoming a parent, race, religion or beliefs, sex or sexual orientation, length of service, whether full or part-time or employed under a permanent or a fixed-term contract or any other relevant factor.

Genomics England does not tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment, victimisation or bullying at work. Such behaviour undermines our mission and core values and diminishes the dignity, respect and integrity of all parties. Our People policies outline our commitment to inclusivity.

We aim to remove barriers in our recruitment processes and to be flexible with our interview processes. Should you require any adjustments that may help you to fully participate in the recruitment process, we encourage you to discuss this with us.

Culture

We have four key behaviours that represent what we would like Genomics England to feel like and the culture we want to encourage, in order for us to achieve our mission. These behaviours help us all work well together, deliver on our outcomes, celebrate our successes and share feedback with each other. You can read about these and other aspects of our culture here Culture | Genomics England

Blended working model

Genomics England operates a blended working model as we know our people appreciate the flexibility that hybrid working can bring. We expect most people to come into the office a minimum of 2 times each month. However, this will vary according to role and will be agreed with your team leader. There is no expectation that people will return to the office full time unless they want to, however, some of our roles require full time on site attendance e.g., lab teams, reception team.

Our teams and squads have, and will continue to reflect on what works best for them to work together successfully and have the freedom to design working patterns to suit, beyond the minimum. Our office locations are: Canary Wharf, Cambridge and Leeds.

Onboarding background checks

As part of our recruitment process, all successful candidates are subject to a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. We therefore require applicants to disclose any previous offences at point of application, as some unspent convictions may mean we are unable to proceed with your application due to the nature of our work in healthcare.