Senior Software Engineer

Description

Job Overview

• Role: Senior Software Engineer
• Company: Sotheby's
• Location: Flexible / Remote
• Employment Type: external
• Experience Level: Senior Level
• Salary: Competitive / Not Disclosed — confirm during interview
• Listing Source: The Muse

Job Description

About the role

Established in 1744, Sotheby's is the world's premier destination for art and luxury. The engineering that powers it today reflects that same ambition, built on modern technologies and modern practices.

Auctions are the most visible part of what we do, but every sale that runs through Sotheby's is backed by the entire engineering organisation. The work starts months before a lot crosses the block, from the systems that support how we acquire and value inventory, through to the platforms our clients and specialists interact with daily, the identity and compliance infrastructure that keeps it all trustworthy, and the services that make the live event itself possible.

That breadth is what makes the engineering here different. Whether you're working on internal tooling, client-facing products, platform infrastructure, or the real-time systems behind a sale moving hundreds of millions of dollars, your work connects to something tangible.

We're looking for senior engineers who want real ownership of the systems they build, who care about quality and craft, and who are curious enough to learn a domain that will surprise them.

What we're looking for

You've shipped production systems. 5+ years of experience, with real ownership of services or products that other people depend on. You've dealt with incidents, made trade-offs under pressure, and learned from what went wrong.

You solve problems for the business, not just yourself. You're pragmatic. You look for the best course of action given the constraints, not the most technically interesting one. You can weigh options, make a call, and move forward together with the people around you.

You communicate clearly. Whether that's justifying a technical decision on a call, writing up a proposal, or talking through an approach in a review. You can discuss specifics without getting lost in the detail, and you're comfortable working across teams to get things done.

You're comfortable wearing many hats. The day to day here can vary a lot. You're the kind of engineer who sees that as a feature, not a bug.

You take craft seriously and use modern tools to amplify it. You write code that others can maintain and build on. You're happy using AI and modern tooling to move faster, but you understand the systems deeply enough to know when the tool is wrong.

Technical experience

We don't expect you to know the full stack coming in. We do expect strength in at least one of Go, React/TypeScript, or Scala, comfort with distributed systems thinking, and readiness to pick up whatever the work requires.

Required:

• Strong experience with (at least one; more is a plus)
• Experience designing, deploying, and operating distributed systems and microservices
• Solid relational database knowledge (PostgreSQL preferred)
• Familiarity with cloud infrastructure (we use AWS) and containerisation

Useful:

• Event-driven architectures and streaming platforms
• API design across GraphQL, gRPC, or REST
• Authentication, authorisation, or compliance-related systems
• E-commerce, marketplace, or auction domain experience

How we work

Our engineering teams are remote-first and globally distributed. It's how we're built, and it's how we intend to stay.

We're not async-only. There are regular calls, cross-team meetings, and plenty of direct collaboration alongside the written communication you'd expect from a distributed organisation. The balance works because the people here are good at both.

This role is London or remote within the UK.

What we offer

• Competitive salary with discretionary bonus
• Private health insurance
• Health cash plan and dental insurance
• Workplace nursery benefit
• Generous holiday allowance, Christmas shutdown, summer Fridays, and volunteer and wellbeing days
• Great hardware
• Cycle to work scheme and eye care vouchers
• Regular social events, meetups, and use of our London space (the summer and Christmas parties are worth showing up for)

Salary & Compensation

The salary for this role is not publicly disclosed. Based on industry benchmarks, roles of this type in India or remote-first companies typically offer compensation in line with market rates for the experience level required. We recommend researching platforms like Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, or AmbitionBox to gauge expected ranges before your offer discussion.

In addition to base salary, many employers in this sector offer a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Annual or performance-based bonuses
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Provident Fund (PF) and Gratuity contributions (India)
• Paid Time Off (PTO), sick leave, and public holidays
• Professional development budget and learning allowances
• Stock options or Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) at select companies
• Flexible or remote working allowances
• Parental leave and family health coverage

Note: The specific benefits offered by this employer should be confirmed during the offer stage. Not all benefits listed above may apply to every organisation or role type.

Work Arrangement

Type: Fully Remote

This role is designed for a fully remote work arrangement. You will have the flexibility to work from any location, provided you have a stable internet connection and can align with the team's core collaboration hours. The company supports remote employees with the necessary tools, virtual team-building activities, and regular check-ins to ensure productivity and a strong sense of belonging. Equipment and home-office stipends may be provided — check the job listing or confirm during the offer stage.

Typical Interview Process

While each organisation structures its hiring differently, candidates for this type of role typically go through the following stages:

1. Resume and application screening
2. Introductory phone or video call with HR
3. Role-specific skill or competency interview
4. Final interview with the hiring manager or panel
5. Reference checks and offer discussion

Tip: Research the company's products, culture, and recent news thoroughly before each interview round.

About the Employer

Sotheby's is the organisation posting this opportunity. While full company details are available on the original job listing, here is what you should research before applying:

• Company size and culture: Review the company's LinkedIn profile, Glassdoor reviews, and their official website to understand team size, work culture, and employee satisfaction.
• Products and services: Familiarise yourself with what the company builds, sells, or delivers. Being knowledgeable about their offerings will set you apart during interviews.
• Recent news: Search for any recent fundraising, acquisitions, product launches, or leadership changes — these often come up in interviews and signal company health.
• Location and offices: The role is based in or around Flexible / Remote. Confirm office address, remote policy details, and travel requirements during the process.
• Where this listing was found: This job was sourced from The Muse.

How to Apply & Preparation Tips

To apply for the Senior Software Engineer position, follow these steps:

1. Tailor your resume: Customise your CV to match the specific requirements listed in the job description. Use keywords from the posting to pass Applicant Tracking System (ATS) filters.
2. Write a compelling cover letter: Even if not mandatory, a concise cover letter demonstrating your enthusiasm and fit for the role significantly improves your chances.
3. Apply via the original listing: Use the apply link on the original job post to submit your application. Avoid applying through third-party channels that may delay or lose your submission.
4. Prepare for phone screening: Be ready for an initial call within 3–7 business days of applying. Have your resume and a quiet space ready.
5. Follow up professionally: If you haven't heard back in 7–10 business days, a brief, polite follow-up email to the recruiter is acceptable and often appreciated.

Disclaimer: This listing is aggregated from a public job board for informational purposes. JobSetuu does not guarantee the accuracy or current availability of this position. Always verify the details on the employer's official careers page before applying.