Software Engineer 2026

Location: Fully Remote (Core hours must overlap -5/+2 hours with UK Time) Level: All Levels

The Mission

Patients Know Best (PKB) is the UK’s largest patient portal. Our mission is to put patients in control of their health data. We are a team of ~40 engineers building a platform that focuses on security, information governance, and empowering patients.

Our Engineering Culture

We are a remote-first, asynchronous team. We value deep work, written communication, and reliable technology.

• We value simplicity: We run Kubernetes. We avoid distributed monoliths and believe scalability comes from smart state management.
• We rely on automated (characterisation) testing: About 25% of the code you write will be automated tests. We believe this is the only way to refactor safely and maintain long-term stability.
• We are Linux-native: You will run the stack locally. We expect you to be comfortable in a Linux environment.
• Written communication: We prefer text over meetings. We value clarity and the ability to distinguish between anecdote and evidence.

The Tech Stack

We use technology that is reliable and proven.

• Languages: Modern Java & Kotlin (Spring Framework).
• Data: PostgreSQL (large scale), Redis, S3/GCS.
• Messaging: NATS, Cloud P/S.
• Infrastructure: Google Cloud, Terraform, Kubernetes, Linux.
• Development Environment: IntelliJ IDEA, Teamcity, Github, Slack, Jira, Confluence
• Observability: Prometheus, Grafana, OpenTelemetry, Cloud Profiling/Tracing
• Note: Our frontend utilises JSP. While this role is backend-focused, you may occasionally touch the frontend. We are actively planning updates here.

Requirements

What we’re looking for

• Technical Versatility: You are willing to understand the full stack, from the database to infrastructure configuration.
• Sysadmin Skills: You can diagnose OS and network issues in your local development environment and prefer CLI tools over GUIs.
• Communication: You write clearly and concisely. You can explain complex technical concepts to different audiences.
• Solution Focus: You understand the role of testing, design patterns, best practices – and you can recognise when they don’t apply. Identifying and understanding trade-offs is a core skill at PKB.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday FTE plus bank holidays.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay and leave.
• Company social events (including internationally - our last all company meetup was in Lisbon.
• Opportunity to really make a difference – your work will make life better for millions of patients.

How We Work

• Remote & Flexible: Work from where you are productive. We focus on output, not hours in a seat.
• Individual Growth: Management is not the only path. You can make a significant impact as an individual contributor.
• Diversity: We have a diverse team (many parents, various backgrounds) and we prioritise a respectful, kind environment.

Patients Know Best is an equal opportunity employer. We handle sensitive health data, so we care deeply about security and trust, and we care equally about building a team where everyone feels safe to contribute.