Backend Software Engineer (Python) in London, United Kingdom

About Signal Ocean:

Signal Ocean is the technology arm of the Signal Group, providing market-leading advanced machine learning and AI-driven intelligence to shipping and commodities professionals worldwide. Our platform delivers tailored, exclusive insights through web, mobile, and API interfaces, enabling clients to make faster, better-informed commercial decisions.

Signal Ocean has recently acquired AXSMarine, a business with over 25 years of experience in the freight and commodities space - and is actively integrating the two companies. The combined business now offers the most comprehensive suite of freight market intelligence available, and we are actively building the team to realise the full potential of the integration.

About the role

As the Signal Ocean Platform continues to grow, we’re expanding our engineering team. We’re looking for a Software Engineer capable of building and maintaining scalable back-end data services (primarily in Python) within the Modelling & Data Services team. Signal’s Software Engineers work closely with data science, design, product, and business analysis professionals to develop robust solutions for the highly entrepreneurial domain of shipping.

Technology stack: We build cloud solutions using C#, .NET Core, Typescript, React, MSSQL Server, Azure, Python, MongoDB, Redis, Docker, Kubernetes, Grafana and more. We also offer the opportunity to work on complex architectures and technology stacks, as well as a global AI-powered tech product vision, supported by the use of multiple AI tools and accelerators. We use Agile to organize our teams and would love to onboard people who can contribute across product discovery, delivery, optimization, QA, DevOps, and Continuous Integration.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and develop efficient, production-ready backend services – Transform prototypes and specifications into robust, scalable Python microservices that meet quality standards, performance requirements, and monitoring best practices
• Collaborate with data scientists and analysts – Act as a technical implementation partner, taking research prototypes and converting them into production-grade code with proper testing, error handling, and observability
• Maintain existing microservices – Investigate production issues, implement fixes, and enhance monitoring capabilities across the freight solutions backend ecosystem
• Ensure code quality and best practices – Write well-tested, documented code following software engineering standards; conduct code reviews and establish quality benchmarks for the team

Requirements

• 3+ years professional software engineering experience
• Strong CS fundamentals (data structures, algorithms, system design)
• Python / FastAPI for server-side development
• SQL database experience
• Docker, Kubernetes, and CI/CD pipelines
• Strong debugging and problem-solving abilities
• Effective use of AI tools in development workflow
• Excellent English communication (written & verbal)
• Comfortable with ambiguity and changing requirements in an experimental environment

Nice-to-have Skills:

• C# / .NET
• Experience working in Data Science or Data Engineering teams

Benefits

• Generous compensation with additional performance incentives.

• Coverage under the company’s collective health insurance plan.
• Opportunity to work alongside experienced people with deep knowledge in software engineering, data science & shipping business who are always eager to mentor.
• Signal’s hybrid work policy currently includes 9 on-site working days per month, during which our happy hour events take place. 
• 2-4 weeks of onboarding training to prepare you for your new role, having the opportunity to meet about 30 trainers while diving deep into our products and/or the shipping world.
• Career growth opportunities and a structured development discussion every 4 months.
• Personal learning budget for training, seminars, conferences (750 to 2000 EUR annually depending on seniority).
• Regular team bonding events and activities.
• Fitness benefits to support your health and wellbeing 

All applications will be considered under the terms and conditions of confidentiality in accordance with the regulations of personal data protection.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. At Signal, we believe that diversity of opinions, approaches and viewpoints is key to our innovation and success and we encourage that with our hiring, development and rewards practices. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristics by law and take actions to eliminate those from our workplace.