Senior Backend Developer

The Acorn Group; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A technology company in Liverpool is seeking a Senior Backend Developer who enjoys solving complex problems. The ideal candidate should have solid experience with C#, .NET, and Dockerized microservices, as well as a strong understanding of SQL Server and Entity Framework. You will work in a collaborative team environment, mentoring others and contributing to architectural decisions. This hybrid position offers a salary range of £65,000–£75,000 depending on experience, with opportunities for professional growth and a strong company culture.

Benefits

35 days’ holiday

24/7 mental health support

Flexible benefits

Hybrid working options

Career growth opportunities

Qualifications

• Solid experience with C#, .NET and Dockerised microservices.
• Strong understanding of SQL Server and Entity Framework.
• Understanding of event-driven architecture and modern microservice patterns.
• Experience with testing, CI/CD and cloud deployments.
• A team player who enjoys mentoring and collaborating.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain scalable backend services using .NET 8.0 and Azure.
• Write clean, testable, and performant code.
• Design and implement APIs and database solutions.
• Deploy and run services using Docker and Azure Cloud.
• Mentor other developers and help raise the standard across the team.

Skills

C#

.NET 8.0

Docker

SQL Server

Entity Framework

Event-driven architecture

CI/CD

Microservices

Mentoring

Clean Architecture

Tools

Azure

Grafana

RabbitMQ

Kubernetes

Job description

We’re looking for a Senior Backend Developer who enjoys solving complex problems and building systems that scale. You’ll be part of a tight-knit, cross‑functional squad that owns its products from idea to production.

You’ll have the freedom to lead and make technical decisions, the space to experiment, and the support to keep developing your skills. We’ll encourage you to grow into a T‑shaped developer, with opportunities to get involved in architecture, DevOps and other areas of development.

We work together in our Liverpool HQ three days a week because we value collaboration, fast feedback and a strong team culture.

Location: Liverpool City Centre HQ / Hybrid (3 days in office)
Salary: £65,000–£75,000 depending on experience

What You’ll Do:

• Build and maintain scalable backend services using .NET 8.0 and Azure
• Write clean, testable and performant code that’s built to last
• Design and implement APIs and database solutions
• Deploy and run services using Docker and Azure Cloud
• Work closely with product owners and designers to bring features to life
• Mentor other developers and help raise the standard across the team
• Share ideas and contribute to how we build and improve our systems

Backend: C#, .NET 8.0, Mediator, MassTransit
Database: SQL Server, Entity Framework, Redis, Mongo
Infrastructure: Docker, Azure, K8s, RabbitMQ
Monitoring: Grafana, Loki Stack
Tooling: Git, CI/CD pipelines, Unit and Integration Testing, Agile methodologies

It’s a bonus if you’re familiar with Clean Architecture or the Mediator pattern, but curiosity and a willingness to learn are just as valuable.

We care deeply about quality and maintainability.

• We use CI/CD pipelines for fast and reliable deployments
• Automated testing and peer reviews are part of our daily rhythm
• Our systems are monitored with Grafana and Loki, giving full visibility across environments
• We encourage experimentation, retrospectives and continuous improvement in everything we build

What We’re Looking For:

• Solid experience with C#, .NET and Dockerised microservices
• Strong understanding of SQL Server and Entity Framework
• Understanding of event driven architecture and modern microservice patterns
• Experience with testing, CI/CD and cloud deployments
• A team player who enjoys mentoring and collaborating
• A pragmatic problem solver who writes clean, maintainable code
• A genuine desire to learn and help others grow

Why Join Us:

• Modern tech stack and a strong culture of engineering excellence
• A collaborative squad where your ideas make a real impact
• Clear path into technical leadership or architecture
• Freedom to innovate and take ownership
• Top‑tier tools and a workspace built for creativity and collaboration

Team and Culture

You’ll be joining a collaborative squad of engineers, designers and product thinkers who enjoy building great software together.

We believe in ownership, curiosity and craftsmanship. Everyone has a voice, and we trust each other to make good decisions. We support one another, share knowledge and celebrate success as a team.

We’re passionate about technology, but even more passionate about building a team that trusts, respects and learns from each other.

Grow with Acorn

AtAcorn Insurance, we’re proud of our Liverpool roots — and even prouder of how far we’ve come. As part of theAcorn Group, we bring over 40 years of specialist insurance expertise to the table. From humble beginnings, we’ve grown into a national leader, now employing1,700+ people across the UKandreached a milestone £750 millionin total value of insurance policies written in 2024.

We’re growing fast, with new opportunities emerging every week. That growth is largely due to the values we share:

• 🦏 We run through walls for our customers and each other
• 🐐 We challenge the status quo
• 🐧 We succeed when we help those around us succeed
• 🐆 We decide quickly when the smart thing to do is use our judgement
• 🌴 35 days’ holiday (including bank holidays) with additional buy/sell options
• 🧠 24/7 mental health support & free counselling available
• ☝ Grow with us:Through career fairs, leadership programs, and learning on the go!
• 💸 Flexible benefits, including early access to salary via our internal platform
• 🏡 Hybrid working optionsto support work‑life balance and individual needs

Our Commitment to our colleague’s:

These aren’t just words — they’re the principles we live by. And we’re proud to back them up with real action, earning recognition and accreditation from leading organisations that share our commitment to people and growth:

• 🧠 Mindful Employer– championing mental health and wellbeing
• ♿ Disability Confident Level 1 & 2– creating accessible, inclusive opportunities
• 🌸 Menopause Friendly accredited– supporting every stage of life
• 🎖️ Armed Forces Covenant signatory– honouring those who serve
• 🏆 Great Places to Work 2024/25– fostering an engaging and positive workplace culture
• 📈 Best Place to Work for Development– proud to be investing in people’s future
• 👩💼 Best Place to Work for Women– breaking down barriers to women's career progression

If you’re looking for a company with a strong culture, real career progression, and a people‑first approach — all rooted in the heart of Liverpool —Grow withAcorn.

A Few Things to Know Before You Apply

We’re really excited that you’re considering joining Acorn! To help everything go smoothly, here are a couple of things to keep in mind:

🔍 Checks & Clearances
All roles at Acorn are subject to DBS and financial checks. Any offer we make will be conditional until these are completed to a satisfactory standard.

🌍 Visa Requirements
Because our training is quite comprehensive, we can only consider applicants who haveat least one year remainingon their Graduate or Post‑Study Work visa. At the moment, we’re not able to offer visa sponsorship.

💬 We’re Here to Support You
We’re committed to creating an inclusive, supportive workplace where everyone can flourish. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process—or once you’re part of the team—just let us know. Whether it’s flexible hours, adapted equipment, or a bit of extra support, we’ll work with you to make sure you can do your best work.