Software Engineer - Timeline Platform

Role & Requirements

We are looking for software engineers to join our development team building a next-gen timeline and content exploration platform.

The current development team is full-stack but there is now scope for two roles that specialise either in the front-end presentation layer or back-end database and server infrastructure.

If you're a front-end specialist, an eye for design and aesthetics is very important. Experience making engaging, interactive and accessible online experiences would be ideal. Strong React and CSS skills are a must along with an interest in modern browser APIs.

If you're a back-end specialist, we are looking for someone with experience optimising and scaling postgres databases in production and working with the lower level data management aspects of apps. Configuring and maintaining appropriate cloud infrastructure is also an important aspect of this role.

We have a fairly typical modern web stack (TypeScript, React, CSS, Node/Bun, GraphQL, Postgres, AWS). The result is a very visual and interactive experience not often seen in your usual web app. Whilst we leverage AI coding tools, strong code fluency and transferable experience are still essential.

There is a lot of emphasis on visual aesthetics and user experience, as well as technical best-practices and software engineering craftsmanship. We are looking for people who embrace the full spectrum of product development and self-improvement.

You should be willing to help drive and specify new feature development, contribute ideas, and be up for solving new problems that working at the cutting edge can throw at you.

Good communication and team-working skills are essential and an enthusiasm to share knowledge with the rest of the team.

We love a good demo!
Previous examples of work such as production sites, personal projects, open-source contributions, or video demos are great to see if possible.

Work & Benefits

  • This is a full-time role at 35 hours per week with flexible working hours
  • A hybrid work routine where most people work from home on Wednesday and Friday
  • We trust people to work to a schedule that best suits them as long as there is appropriate overlap with the rest of the team
  • 34 holidays per year (including public holidays taken at any time)
  • Competitive salary based on experience and a future opportunity to share in the success of the company
  • Nest pension scheme with 5% company contributions
  • Latest MacBook Pro (with external 4k screen in the office)
  • Individual annual budget for professional development like conference trips or training courses
  • Time and support for preparing and presenting at local meet-ups
  • A visit to the head office in Munich
  • Cycle to Work scheme
  • Secure bike storage and on site showers
  • Fruit and snacks plus a stocked fridge for social drinks
  • A very nice top floor office on the corner of St Andrew Square in the city centre
  • Only two minutes walk from the bus, trams and Waverley station

The team has a diverse mix of skills with backgrounds in literature, music, engineering, maths, physics and computer science. As life-long learners we have a broad range of interests beyond our own specialisms.

We aim to foster an intellectually stimulating environment with an inclusive culture. We put emphasis on the craft of our work and sharing of knowledge within the team to ensure that we can all grow and improve together. We would love for you to contribute to that!

Interview Process

  1. An initial online video call (30 mins) with our project manager to understand a bit more about you and your interest in the role
  2. A face-to-face interview (1 hour) to learn more about your experience, interests and topics that get you excited. It is a chance for you to see our fantastic office space, meet some of the team, learn more about the company and get a secret demo of our projects.
  3. Following a successful discussion, we would invite you for an in-person technical session (2 hours) back in the office. The session would be split into three sections to assess technical proficiency at both code and conceptual levels, plus higher level approaches towards planning feature development along with one of the product owners.

We believe the interview process should be a positive experience regardless of the outcome.

If this interests you then email us and we can start a conversation.

About KPV LAB Edinburgh

Formed in late 2017, KPV LAB Edinburgh is part of the international KPV Group, which has its headquarters in Munich, Germany.

The Edinburgh team (currently 16 people) is a software studio building next-generation platforms and experiences to explore and visualise knowledge and information.

Our products have a particular focus on managing data in time and space and encompass the fields of history, literature, science, music and business intelligence.

Our drive is to create new ways to explore and interact with knowledge that reveal meaningful insights and experiences.

We are in the privileged position of having full control over the implementation, direction and timing of our projects thanks to solid long-term backing.

This is a unique opportunity to work on a very novel and innovative project within a company that wants to do it right, without unnecessary compromise!