Overview
Back‑End Developer (Python, Node.js) | Help Build the Future of Autonomous Tech at SkyBound
Location: Remote‑first, with one day per month in Southampton (SO19)
SkyBound is growing, and we’re looking for a Back‑End Developer who enjoys solving complex engineering problems and wants to work on technology with real‑world impact. If you like building scalable systems, working with modern tools, and seeing your work make a visible difference, this is an opportunity to join a team that’s moving quickly and building something that matters.
About SkyBound
SkyBound is an innovation‑led tech startup on a mission to transform public safety and emergency response. Our platform automates drones so they can reach incidents faster, deliver real‑time situational awareness, and ultimately help protect lives. It’s meaningful work with genuine impact - and we’re only just getting started.
We’re now beginning the next major version of our system. This is a ground‑up rebuild with new architecture, new ideas and new capabilities. You’ll be joining early enough to influence how everything is designed, built and scaled, working closely with our CTO on decisions that genuinely shape the future of the product.
Why this role stands out
SkyBound isn’t a place where you get lost in a huge engineering department or spend your days maintaining legacy systems. You’ll be one of the core developers driving a new product initiative, with real autonomy to make decisions, propose improvements and influence how our backend evolves.
You’ll work across a modern, evolving backend ecosystem that includes:
* Node.js
* IoT integrations
* Opportunities to explore edge computing, mapping systems and drone telemetry
* A backend codebase you’ll help shape, scale and optimise
* If you enjoy building scalable systems, solving hard problems and working with emerging tech, you’ll feel right at home here.
What you’ll be doing
* Designing, building and evolving the backend of our autonomous drone platform
* Developing robust, scalable RESTful APIs for real‑time operations
* Architecting systems that handle live telemetry, video feeds and mission‑critical workflows
* Working closely with front‑end and product teams to deliver seamless end‑to‑end experiences
* Influencing architectural decisions and long‑term backend strategy
* Leading backend feature development and technical initiatives
* Ensuring performance, reliability and scalability across the platform
* Participating in code reviews and raising engineering standards
* Troubleshooting complex issues across distributed systems
* Bringing fresh ideas and exploring new technologies
* Collaborating with product, design and engineering teams
* This role suits someone who enjoys variety, ownership and building systems that matter.
What you’ll bring
Required
* 5+ years of commercial backend development experience
* Deep experience with Node.js (Express, Fastify or similar)
* Solid understanding of REST APIs and backend architecture
* Experience with databases such as MongoDB, PostgreSQL or MySQL
* Experience building scalable, production‑ready backend systems
* Strong problem‑solving and communication skills
* Ability to work autonomously and make sound technical decisions
Nice to have
* TypeScript
* GraphQL
* Experience designing distributed or event‑driven systems
* Exposure to solutions architecture principles
* Microservices or modular monolith experience
* Caching strategies (Redis, Memcached)
* Database migrations/versioning tools
* Cloud experience (AWS, Azure, GCP)
* Docker or containerisation
* Infrastructure as Code
* Monitoring and observability tools
* Exposure to drones, robotics or IoT
* Understanding of telemetry, mapping or sensor data
What SkyBound offers
Competitive salary and benefits
* The chance to work on genuinely innovative technology
* A modern tech stack with opportunities to explore IoT, mapping and real‑time systems
* A small, ambitious team where your work has immediate impact
* Remote‑first culture with monthly meet ups in Southampton
* Real opportunities for growth and professional development
If this feels like your kind of challenge, we’d love to hear from you.
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