Graduate Software Engineer - 2025

Starling is the UK’s first and leading digital bank on a mission to fix banking! We built a new kind of bank because we knew technology had the power to help people save, spend and manage their money in a new and transformative way.

We’re a fully licensed UK bank with the culture and spirit of a fast-moving, disruptive tech company. We’re a bank, but better: fairer, easier to use and designed to demystify money for everyone. We employ more than 3,000 people across our London, Southampton, Cardiff and Manchester offices.

Our technologists are at the very heart of Starling and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment that is all about building things, creating new stuff, and disruptive technology that keeps us on the cutting edge of fintech. We operate a flat structure to empower you to make decisions regardless of what your primary responsibilities may be, innovation and collaboration will be at the core of everything you do. Help is never far away in our open culture, you will find support in your team and from across the business, we are in this together!

The way to thrive and shine within Starling is to be a self-driven individual and be able to take full ownership of everything around you: From building things, designing, discovering, to sharing knowledge with your colleagues and making sure all processes are efficient and productive to deliver the best possible results for our customers. Our purpose is underpinned by five Starling values: Listen, Keep It Simple, Do The Right Thing, Own It, and Aim For Greatness.

Hybrid Working

We have a Hybrid approach to working here at Starling - our preference is that you're located within a commutable distance of our London, Cardiff or Manchester offices so that we're able to interact and collaborate in person.

About the role

We’re hiring for a number of Graduate Software Engineers to join one of our super talented teams within our growing Engineering department. You’ll receive on-the-job training, and join a cohort of wider graduates within technology and the wider bank.

As a graduate working at Starling, we will help you learn and develop Software Engineering skills and expertise by getting you to work on real world problems our amazing team are solving on a daily basis! Starling is a tech-led company where you will solve challenges which could potentially affect millions of our customers whilst we build and run products that change the world for the better. In this role, you will:

• Contribute to our award-winning platform and internal tooling
• Build new features and products from scratch
• Be able to see the impact that your work has on the lives of our millions of customers
• Share your knowledge with those around you, contributing to our learning culture
• Own your projects, working in small teams across the bank to collaboratively deliver
• Aim for greatness in everything you do, staying curious and inquisitive
• Be part of a scaling team and organisation as we change banking for good

Tech we use:

At Starling, we use a variety of different tools and technologies to keep our app and business running smoothly. Whether you’re aiming to be front-end, back-end, or a bit of both - we have a host of things in our tech stack that you would have the opportunity to learn and work with. Here are some examples:

Languages: Java, JS/TS, Swift, Kotlin

Tools: Docker, Kubernetes, TeamCity, Amazon Web Services (AWS)

• You will need to be a recent university graduate or be on track to achieve a degree in summer 2025. It is not essential to have a degree in Computer Science or a STEM subject, however, you must be able to demonstrate your ability to write quality code

• A keen interest in software engineering and desire to work in technology
• Excellent communication skills
• Proven ability to work in a team
• Curious, keen to learn and proactive
• You are open to and value feedback in order to improve
• Eligible to work in the UK
• Ready to start a full time position from 1st September 2025

Interview process:

Interviewing is a two way process and we want you to have the time and opportunity to get to know us, as much as we are getting to know you! Our interviews are conversational and we want to get the best from you, so come with questions and be curious.

1. Applications will close on 31st December 2024
2. If selected, there will be a One-way Video Screen - we'll send you some questions for you to record your responses which will be looking at your fit for the team, interest in the role and Starling
3. If you pass the Video Screen, we will send you the Take-home Tech Test (which is not timed) - this can be solved in any language you are comfortable with
4. If you pass the Tech Test, there will be a Technical Video Interview (1.5 hours)
5. Lastly, if you pass the Tech Interview, there will be a Final Video Interview with one of our Engineering Directors

• 25 days holiday (plus take your public holiday allowance whenever works best for you)
• An extra day’s holiday for your birthday
• Annual leave is increased with length of service, and you can choose to buy or sell up to five extra days off
• 16 hours paid volunteering time a year
• Salary sacrifice, company enhanced pension scheme
• Life insurance at 4x your salary & group income protection
• Private Medical Insurance with VitalityHealth including mental health support and cancer care. Partner benefits include discounts with Waitrose, Mr&Mrs Smith and Peloton
• Generous family-friendly policies
• Incentives refer a friend scheme
• Perkbox membership giving access to retail discounts, a wellness platform for physical and mental health, and weekly free and boosted perks
• Access to initiatives like Cycle to Work, Salary Sacrificed Gym partnerships and Electric Vehicle (EV) leasing

About Us:

You may be put off applying for a role because you don't tick every box. Forget that! While we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we're always open to discussion. So, if you're excited about working with us, but aren’t sure if you're 100% there yet, get in touch anyway. We’re on a mission to radically reshape banking – and that starts with our brilliant team. Whatever came before, we’re proud to bring together people of all backgrounds and experiences who love working together to solve problems.

Starling Bank is an equal opportunity employer, and we’re proud of our ongoing efforts to foster diversity & inclusion in the workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Starling Bank are considered without regard to race, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, ancestry, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. 

When you provide us with this information, you are doing so at your own consent, with full knowledge that we will process this personal data in accordance with our Privacy Notice. By submitting your application, you agree that Starling Bank will collect your personal data for recruiting and related purposes. Our Privacy Notice explains what personal information we will process, where we will process your personal information, its purposes for processing your personal information, and the rights you can exercise over our use of your personal information.