Turnitin, LLC
Principal Software Engineer Backend Technologies, Platform (UK Remote)
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Principal Software Engineer Backend Technologies, Platform (UK Remote)
Principal Backend Engineer – Open Source at Turnitin
Company Description
You’ll join a leader in the global education sector—Turnitin—a pioneer with 25+ years of innovation. We’re trusted by 16,000+ institutions, publishers, and corporations in 185+ countries to deliver solutions for learning integrity, including platforms like Feedback Studio, Clarity, Originality, Gradescope, ExamSoft, Similarity, and iThenticate.
Our mission is rooted in protecting authentic education, fostering critical thinking, and empowering diverse teams worldwide—spanning the US, UK, Australia, Japan, India, and beyond.
Welcome to a remote-first culture where autonomy, accountability, and purpose unite. Collaborate with a globally united team united by a shared desire to transform learning.
Job Description
Turnitin is seeking a Principal Backend Engineer specialising in Java, serverless architectures, with frontend proficiency to architect critical backend systems, optimise performance, and mentor colleague teams.
Covered in scope: Systems supporting Turnitin’s award-winning platforms.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership: Design, develop, and optimise scalable backend services using Java, serverless (e.g., AWS Lambda) and RESTful APIs/Event-Driven architectures.
- Innovation: Partner with Product Managers, Architects, and engineering leads to bridge tech and business needs.
- Collaboration:
- Mentor junior engineers.
- Engage in CI/CD pipeline implementation/maintenance.
- Champion code quality (peer reviews, rigorous testing, clean code).
- Performance: Analyse, refine, reduce TCO (Cost Efficiency).
- Documentation & Reliability: Develop comprehensive docs (usage examples, patterns) for shared services.
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Qualifications
Essential
- 10+ years backend development, Java expertise, and serverless frameworks (AWS Lambda/Cloud Functions).
- Frontend awareness: React/Web Components (ability to support projects).
- Distributed systems design, scalability, and data modeling.
- Cross-functional collaboration, including global remote teams (EMEA/US).
- Cloud-Native AWS expertise: Lambda/DynamoDB/API Gateway/SQS/SNS/EventBridge.
- Software effectiveness: Clean code, design patterns, TDD/BDD.
- CI/CD, IaC (Infrastructure-as-Code).
- Tech Lead track record: Mentoring, scalable architecture alignment, stakeholder communication.
- Problem-solving: Prioritise multi-perspective optimisations.
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Preferred
- Additional frontend skills (e.g., Angular/Vue).
- Monitoring expertise: CloudWatch/Datadog/New Relic.
- NoSQL database design.
- AI/ML exposure.
Impact
You’ll help shape scalable distributed systems, influence product direction, and empower teams to deliver reliable, innovate solutions for global education.
Benefits Package (Turnitin At Home)
Paid Rewards
- Competitive compensation, bonuses, remote flexibility.
- Generous Time Off: eg. PTO, Holidays (including Juneteenth), China’s Lunar meetings.
- Parental leave matches, retirement contributions, health coverage.
Well-being & Growth
- Health/Wellness Programs: Nutrition stipends, home/safety nets.
- Education/skill development reimbursement. -ried team (Inclusion/Handshake), volunteer hours, and diversity initiatives.
Culture
- Impactful work that advances education integrity through shared values: Customer-Centric, Passion for Learning, Integrity, Action, One Team, Global Mindset.
Focus on Growth
We don’t demand perfection—applied potential helps us build excellence. If 80%+ of requirements resonate, apply !
#LI-AP1—If you start wondering how to fit it all—stop. Turnitin encourages own-mentality.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
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