Backend Engineer, Memrise
Apache Kafka, 3 Month Contract
More information about location
Language learning system
Job no longer available
Language learning system
21-100 employees
Job no longer available
More information about location
21-100 employees
Company mission
Memrise's mission is to turn learning into a recreational activity.
Role
Who you are
- We are seeking someone who listens to others, offers their own wisdom, and then rolls up their sleeves to do the work, bringing others along with them
- Proficient in Kotlin programming language
- Strong experience with Apache Kafka and Kafka Streams
- Hands-on experience with Kubernetes, especially StatefulSets
- Proficient in Docker and containerisation concepts
- Solid understanding of Git and collaborative development workflows
- Experience with relational databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL)
- Knowledge of Redis and various caching techniques
- Familiarity with CQRS and Event Sourcing architectural patterns
- Experience in creating highly observable services, preferably using OpenTelemetry
- Must be adaptable and eager to learn new technologies
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
- Excellent communication and teamwork abilities
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, agile environment
- Self-motivated with a strong desire to learn and innovate
- Adaptable to changing technologies and project requirements
Desirable
- Experience with Python, ideally with the Django framework
- Knowledge of WebSockets, Server-Sent Events, or MQTT for real-time data communication
- Experience with NoSQL databases
- Familiarity with dbt (Data Build Tool)
- Understanding of Apache Iceberg
- Experience with Graph Databases
- Knowledge of Large Language Models and Retrieval Augmented Generation techniques
- Experience with Apache Flink
What the job involves
- We are looking for a Backend Engineer
- This is a great time to join our team. We are rolling out a completely new learning experience and doing some fascinating work in using the world’s video content to immerse people in the languages they are learning
- Our backend is primarily Python with some Django, hosted in the cloud using Kubernetes. All our infrastructure is configured with Terraform, and we have a continuous deployment pipeline for most systems including the backend and website
- Currently, we’re using MySQL but are looking at re-architecting our database as part of company ambitions to significantly scale our product and content
- Develop and maintain applications using Kotlin
- Design and implement data processing pipelines with Kafka and Kafka Streams
- Deploy and manage applications in Kubernetes environments, utilising StatefulSets
- Create and manage containerised applications using Docker
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams using Git for version control
- Work with relational databases like MySQL and PostgreSQL
- Implement caching solutions using Redis and other caching techniques
- Apply CQRS (Command Query Responsibility Segregation) and Event Sourcing patterns in system design
- Create highly observable services, preferably using OpenTelemetry
- Optimise application performance and scalability
- Adapt to new technologies and methodologies as required
Salary benchmarks
Our take
Memrise's USP is that their content adapts to users’ needs as they progress through their lessons. They were originally a general learning platform but saw the importance of focus, so narrowed down to languages.
They have built the service to work well on desktop and mobile, which is another differentiator that has enabled them to build a loyal customer base. Apple showed off Memrise during a WWDC event, helping create publicity for the product.
Freddie
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
Company
Funding (last 2 of 5 rounds)
Jun 2018
$15.5m
SERIES B
Dec 2012
$5.1m
SERIES A
Total funding: $21.8m
Company benefits
- Share options, so you can retire on an island
- Generous Learning and Development budget for training, conferences, books and L&D leave
- Enhanced Parental Leave
- Flexible working options (time-wise, plus we have standing desks)
- Private health insurance with Vitality, and related perks (50% off a Virgin and Nuffield Health Gym memberships)
- Dental Insurance with Unum
- Quarterly hackathons
- Language classes with in-office and virtual tutors
- Pet friendly office and pet-petting colleagues
- Cycle-to-work scheme
- 25 days holiday (excl. bank holidays)
- Health insurance
Company values
- Candour - Communicate frankly, with trust and kindness
- Gumption - Get things done. Solve your own problems wherever you can. Ship great work fast
- Generosity - Be generous with your listening, with your time, with your intellectual energy, with your kindness, with yourself
- Irreverence - Rejoice in your genius. Be brilliant. Follow your enthusiasm. Be curious. Challenge everything
Company HQ
Spitalfields, London, UK
Articles
Leadership
Ed Cooke
(Executive Chairman)Studied Psychology at Oxford University. Became a "Grand Master of Memory" and spent 7 years researching and writing about memory techniques.
Ben Whately
(CPO)Graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Experimental Psychology and after starting their own company has been working on bringing language learning to millions with Memrise.
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