Lead Backend Developer – Node.js, TypeScript, Kafka - up to £80k

Leading E-commerce Brand | Up to £80,000 | Hybrid (2 days/week in London)

A leading e-commerce client is looking for a Lead Backend Developer to help shape the technical direction of a highly scalable, event-driven platform. This role combines hands-on development with technical leadership, working in a Node.js, TypeScript and Kafka environment.

You’ll play a key role in architectural decisions while mentoring engineers and driving engineering standards across the team.

The Role

• Lead the design and development of backend services using Node.js and TypeScript
• Own and evolve an event-driven architecture, leveraging Kafka for asynchronous communication
• Make key architectural decisions around scalability, performance and reliability
• Work closely with product and engineering leadership to align technical strategy with business goals
• Mentor and support engineers, fostering best practices and high engineering standards

What We’re Looking For

• Extensive experience with Node.js and TypeScript in production environments
• Strong background in event-driven architecture, ideally with Kafka
• Proven experience designing and scaling distributed systems
• Previous experience in a technical leadership or lead role
• Confident communicator who can influence both technical and non-technical stakeholders

Salary & Benefits

• Salary up to £80,000
• Hybrid working: 2 days per week in London
• High level of ownership and influence over platform architecture
• Opportunity to lead development on a large-scale e-commerce system
• Supportive, modern engineering culture with real autonomy

Lead Backend Developer – Node.js, TypeScript, Kafka