Home Jobs Graduate Kotlin Backend Developer
Back to Jobs

Graduate Kotlin Backend Developer - Job Opportunity at StudentVenture

Remote, GB
Full-time
Entry-level
Posted: May 27, 2025
Remote
£30,000 - £48,000 per year

Benefits

Remote work flexibility enabling global talent access and work-life balance optimization
Direct mentorship from senior leadership including CEO and COO providing accelerated career development
Opportunity for international relocation to UAE upon successful probation offering global career exposure
Access to cutting-edge FinTech technology stack providing highly marketable technical skills
Career progression pathway from graduate to permanent role with clear advancement opportunities

Key Responsibilities

Architect and develop scalable backend services and APIs that power critical FinTech platform operations serving DIFC financial institutions
Design and implement robust server-side logic using modern Kotlin and Spring Boot frameworks to streamline complex financial processes
Optimize database interactions with Postgres to support high-volume financial transactions and data processing
Contribute strategic input to system architecture decisions that will shape the platform's technical direction and scalability
Collaborate cross-functionally with frontend developers and stakeholders to deliver integrated solutions that reduce client onboarding from months to days
Establish development workflows using industry-standard tools including Gradle, Docker, and Git to ensure code quality and deployment efficiency

Requirements

Education

Recent graduate with a degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a closely related field

Experience

Graduate level with significant Honours or Master's level project work

Required Skills

Foundational programming skills, ideally with some exposure to Kotlin, Java, or Golang Understanding of backend development concepts (e.g., APIs, databases, server-side logic) Genuine interest in learning and working with Spring Boot, Postgres, Gradle, Docker Good problem-solving and analytical skills Familiarity with Git Interest in FinTech
Advertisement
Ad Space

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The FinTech sector is experiencing unprecedented growth in the Middle East, particularly in Dubai's DIFC, driven by regulatory support and digital transformation initiatives. Companies are increasingly focusing on API-first architectures and microservices to enable rapid integration with traditional financial institutions. The demand for Kotlin developers in backend systems is rising as organizations move away from legacy Java systems toward more modern, concise languages that offer better developer productivity and maintainability. Financial services digitization is accelerating post-pandemic, with particular emphasis on reducing manual processes and improving client onboarding experiences. The integration with major payment processors like J.P. Morgan Global Payments Service represents a broader trend toward ecosystem connectivity and real-time financial services. Graduate hiring in FinTech has shifted toward potential-based assessment rather than purely technical screening, reflecting the industry's need for adaptable developers who can grow with rapidly evolving technology stacks and regulatory requirements.

Salary Evaluation

The £30,000-£48,000 range is competitive for graduate backend developers in the UK market, particularly given the remote flexibility and international growth opportunities. This represents approximately 15-20% above average graduate developer salaries when factoring in the FinTech premium and potential for UAE relocation with associated tax benefits.

Role Significance

Likely working within a small, agile development team of 5-10 engineers, typical of growing FinTech startups where individual contributions have significant impact on product direction and company success.
This is a structured graduate entry point with accelerated responsibility progression. The direct access to CEO and COO level mentorship suggests the role carries strategic importance and offers faster advancement than typical graduate positions in larger organizations.

Key Projects

Implementation of API integrations with major financial service providers to enable seamless data exchange and transaction processing Development of microservices architecture to support scalable client onboarding and document verification systems Database optimization projects to handle increasing transaction volumes and regulatory reporting requirements Security and compliance feature development to meet DIFC regulatory standards and international financial regulations

Success Factors

Demonstrated ability to learn new technologies rapidly and adapt to evolving technical requirements in a fast-paced FinTech environment Strong problem-solving methodology and analytical thinking capabilities essential for debugging complex financial system integrations Effective communication skills for articulating technical decisions to non-technical stakeholders and collaborating with cross-functional teams Self-directed learning approach and curiosity about financial services technology trends and regulatory implications Attention to detail and quality-focused mindset critical for handling sensitive financial data and maintaining system reliability

Market Demand

High demand exists for Kotlin backend developers, especially those with FinTech interest, as the language gains adoption in enterprise environments. The combination of remote work, international exposure, and direct executive mentorship makes this an exceptionally attractive graduate opportunity in a competitive market.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Kotlin proficiency is essential as the primary development language, with Spring Boot framework knowledge crucial for enterprise-level backend development. These skills are increasingly valuable in the job market as organizations modernize legacy Java systems. Database design and optimization skills with Postgres are fundamental for handling financial data at scale, with particular importance for transaction processing and regulatory reporting requirements. API development and integration capabilities are core to the platform's value proposition, enabling connectivity with major financial service providers and third-party systems. Version control with Git and collaborative development practices are essential for working in distributed teams and maintaining code quality in regulated financial environments.

Beneficial Skills

Understanding of financial services regulations and compliance requirements provides significant career advantage in FinTech roles and demonstrates industry awareness beyond pure technical skills. DevOps knowledge including Docker containerization and CI/CD practices increasingly important as development teams take greater ownership of deployment and operational concerns. Microservices architecture patterns and distributed systems knowledge valuable for scaling financial platforms and handling high-volume transaction processing. Security best practices and data protection understanding critical in financial services where data breaches can have severe regulatory and business consequences.

Unique Aspects

Direct technical discussions with CEO during interview process, indicating flat organizational structure and leadership accessibility rarely found in traditional financial services
Trial assessment methodology focusing on university project evaluation provides more authentic skill assessment than typical coding challenges
Immediate integration into core platform development affecting real financial institutions, offering substantial early-career impact
Clear pathway from remote UK work to international UAE assignment providing unique global career development opportunity
Working on J.P. Morgan integration projects provides exposure to enterprise-level financial technology systems and processes

Career Growth

Progression to mid-level roles typically occurs within 18-24 months given the intensive mentorship and hands-on experience. Senior positions achievable within 3-4 years, particularly with international experience gained through UAE operations.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Backend Developer with specialization in FinTech systems and regulatory compliance Technical Lead positions overseeing backend architecture and team development Solutions Architect roles designing enterprise-level financial technology integrations Product Engineering Manager combining technical expertise with business strategy in FinTech environments

Company Overview

StudentVenture

StudentVenture appears to be operating as a recruitment partner for a FinTech company based in Dubai's DIFC, one of the world's leading financial hubs. The client company is positioning itself as a platform provider for financial institutions, focusing on operational efficiency and digital transformation solutions.

The company operates in the competitive but rapidly growing Middle Eastern FinTech space, with strategic positioning in DIFC providing access to international financial institutions and regulatory advantages. The platform approach suggests ambitions to become a central infrastructure provider rather than a niche service.
Strong strategic positioning in Dubai's DIFC provides access to a concentrated cluster of international financial institutions and favorable regulatory environment. The UK remote work option suggests global talent acquisition strategy while maintaining operational base in a key financial center.
Startup environment with direct leadership access and emphasis on individual growth and contribution. The trial assessment approach and focus on potential over experience suggests a culture that values learning agility and personal development over traditional corporate hierarchies.
Advertisement
Ad Space
Apply Now

Data Sources & Analysis Information

Job Listings Data

The job listings displayed on this platform are sourced through BrightData's comprehensive API, ensuring up-to-date and accurate job market information.

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Our advanced AI system analyzes each job listing to provide valuable insights including:

  • Industry trends and market dynamics
  • Salary estimates and market demand analysis
  • Role significance and career growth potential
  • Critical success factors and key skills
  • Unique aspects of each position

This integration of reliable job data with AI-powered analysis helps provide you with comprehensive insights for making informed career decisions.