Senior Backend Developer

We're looking for a passionate Senior Backend Developer who thrives on solving complex problems and building systems that scale. You'll be at the forefront of creating next-generation backend services that genuinely make a difference for our customers and business.

In this role, you'll have the freedom to lead, the support to grow, and the chance to mentor others — because we believe learning and sharing knowledge is what makes a team truly exceptional.

We believe great work happens when talented people have the best tools. That's why you'll have top-of-the-range equipment and a workspace designed for creativity, collaboration, and getting things done.

Job Title: Senior Backend Developer
Location: Liverpool City Centre on a hybrid working basis
Salary: £65,000–£75,000 depending on experience

What You'll Do

• Build and maintain scalable microservices in .NET 8.0 and Azure.
• Write clean, testable code with a focus on performance and maintainability.
• Collaborate with product owners and designers to shape features from concept to delivery.
• Participate in code reviews and mentor junior developers.
• Architect robust APIs and database solutions with clean, maintainable code.
• Deploy and manage applications using Docker and Azure cloud services.
• Contribute ideas, share feedback, and grow together with a team that values openness and collaboration.

• Bonus: Clean Architecture Understanding Clean Architecture and Mediator Pattern is a huge plus! If you have it, you'll help us build maintainable, testable systems that follow industry best practices.

Our Tech Stack

• Backend: C#, .NET 8.0, ASP.NET Core
• Database: SQL Server, Entity Framework
• Infrastructure: Docker, Azure
• Tools: Unit and Integration Testing, Git, Agile methodologies

What We're Looking For

• Proven senior-level experience building microservices running on Docker.
• Expertise in C#, .NET 8.0, and ASP.NET Core.
• Strong experience with SQL Server and Entity Framework.
• Hands-on experience with Unit and Integration Testing.
• A natural collaborator with strong communication skills — you thrive in a team setting.
• A culture fit who loves mentoring others, sharing ideas, and helping the whole team level up.
• Self-motivated, with a problem-solving mindset and a passion for building robust, scalable systems.
• Understanding Clean Architecture and Mediator Pattern is desirable but not mandatory.

Bonus Points For:

• Understanding Clean Architecture, Mediator Pattern
• Solid grasp of asynchronous communication in distributed systems
• Experience with high-throughput, data-intensive systems
• Contributed towards systems utilising Event-Driven Architecture

Why Join Us?

• Modern tech stack and a strong culture of engineering excellence
• Hybrid options within the UK
• Career progression into tech leadership or architecture
• Supportive environment with clear standards and plenty of opportunity to innovate

About Acorn Insurance

With over 40 years of experience, Acorn Insurance is a specialist provider dedicated to helping individuals secure motor insurance across the UK. We proudly serve more than 50,000 customers, ensuring they find policies that meet their needs and provide the peace of mind that comes with high-quality cover.

At Acorn Insurance, we offer comprehensive training and continuous in-house coaching. You'll receive in-depth, FCA-regulated industry knowledge and all the tools necessary to grow your career with us.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to fostering a culture where everyone feels respected and valued. As a Disability Confident employer, we ensure our workplace is accessible and inclusive, encouraging our people to bring their best selves to work every day.

The Acorn Group has been recognised as a Great Place to Work for 2024/5.

Why Acorn Insurance?

Acorn Insurance want to give you more than a job, we want to give you a purpose and a career. So, what can we offer you as an employer? Some of the "your tomorrow" benefits you will receive include:

Wellbeing:

• Enhanced Annual Leave entitlement starting at 31 days and potentially increasing to 35 days per year depending on grade & length of service (including bank holidays)
•  Enhanced paternity pay and 16 weeks full maternity pay.
• Colleague Assistance programme offers a suite of wellbeing services such as:

• • 6 Free Counselling sessions per year
  • Unlimited access to a telephone councillor 24/7
  • Access to a free 4-week programme of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with a trained therapist mentor.

• Network of internal qualified mental health first aiders are available to provide support to colleagues.

Financial:

• A core level of life assurance with the option to increase cover via salary sacrifice and add your spouse/partner
• Ability to access your earnings before payday via Dayforce Wallet.
• Refer a friend scheme with a £250 bonus for every colleague recommended on passing their probation period.
• Access to a flexible benefits platform including an annual flex pot allowance to spend on over 15 benefits of your choice.
• Ability to give back. You can opt into donating money to charity to climate positive organisations directly from your salary.

Reward, Recognition and Culture:

• Long Service Award paid on 5,10- and 15-years’ service
• A reward and recognition hub to celebrate and reward colleagues and peers.
• Consistent and engaging company events including company awards, competitions and charity fundraisers.
• Budgets for department leaders to use for social and engagement events.

Visit our website to view more of our excellent work benefits!

All roles are subject to DBS and Financial checks, any offer made will be conditional until checks are completed to a satisfactory standard.

Due to the length of training and complexity of the role, we can only accept applications from candidates who have at least one year remaining on their (Graduate/ Post study work) visa. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide visa sponsorships.

At Acorn, we are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive work environment. Whether it’s modifying equipment, adjusting working hours, or providing additional support, we aim to ensure all employees can perform at their best. If you require any reasonable adjustments, please let us know during the application or interview process, and we will work with you to ensure your needs are met.

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