We are modernising the platforms that power how M&S Foods designs products, collaborates with suppliers and manages commercial decisions.
These systems sit at the centre of the M&S Foods ecosystem and support thousands of internal users and suppliers across product development, supply chain and commercial operations.
Our focus is evolving a complex landscape of legacy systems and point-to-point integrations into modern API-led and event-driven distributed systems that are easier to scale, operate and extend.
We are looking for a Staff Software Engineer – Distributed Systems( Foods) to help shape the architecture and technical direction of these platforms. This role works across multiple product teams to solve complex engineering problems, improve system reliability and establish shared technical patterns that enable teams to build safely and efficiently.
What You’ll Do
Shape platform architecture
Define and evolve architecture for critical systems across the Foods domain, including service boundaries, integration patterns and data models.
Solve complex engineering problems
Lead the design of solutions that span multiple teams and distributed systems.
Modernise legacy platforms
Help transition existing workflows and integrations towards scalable distributed services and event-driven platforms.
Enable engineering teams
Provide technical guidance through architecture discussions, design reviews and collaborative problem solving.
Raise engineering standards
Champion strong practices in testing, observability, reliability and system design.
What You’ll Work On
You will help solve technical challenges such as:
Simplifying complex legacy integrations across enterprise systems
Defining clear domain boundaries and service ownership across platforms
Moving from batch and point-to-point integrations to API-led and event-driven architectures
Designing reliable APIs and event contracts used across multiple teams
Improving platform observability, resilience and operational visibility
Enabling teams to build on shared platform capabilities instead of duplicating solutions
Platform Areas
We have a few openings available for the role, depending on team alignment; the role may focus on one of the following domains:
Product Data & New Product Development
Building the core platform that manages product information across the lifecycle from concept through to launch.
Supplier & Commercial Platforms
Modernising systems that support supplier collaboration, risk management and commercial trading decisions across M&S Foods.
These platforms are used by thousands of internal users and suppliers and underpin significant commercial activity. M&S is investing heavily in modernising its technology platforms as part of a broader shift toward a product-led and engineering-focused organisation.
This role offers the opportunity to shape the architecture of platforms that have significant operational and commercial impact.
Who you are
This role is suited to engineers who enjoy solving complex technical problems and influencing engineering direction across multiple teams.
Experience in the following areas is helpful:
Designing scalable distributed systems and APIs
Leading technical design across multiple services or teams
Simplifying complex legacy systems and integrations
Working with event-driven architectures and messaging systems
Improving reliability, testing and observability of production systems
Mentoring engineers and supporting strong engineering practices
Collaborating closely with product teams and domain experts
Tech Stack
M&S uses a variety of technologies including;
- Java, Spring, SpringBOOT, Micronaut
- React, Next.js, Typescript, Angular
- Azure Cloud, Kubernetes, Dynatrace (observability)
- Event Streaming Platform with Kafka
- Supply chain SaaS tools – Blue Yonder, PIM systems
- Ignite, Redis
What’s In It For You
Working at M&S means being part of something bigger - helping to deliver quality, value and service to millions of customers every day. We’re inclusive, fast-moving and always evolving, with a strong sense of purpose and a focus on doing the right thing.
Here are just a few of the benefits that make working here even more rewarding:
- 20% colleague discount on all M&S products and many third-party brands for you and someone in your household, available once you’ve completed your probation
- Competitive holiday allowance with the option to buy more
- Discretionary bonus schemes linked to your performance and ours
- Strong pension and life assurance to help plan for the future
- Tailored induction and training to support your development from day one
- Exclusive perks and savings through our M&S Choices portal
- Market-leading family policies, including parental, adoption and neonatal leave
- 24/7 wellbeing support, including virtual GP access and mental health services
- One paid volunteer day a year to support a cause that matters to you
Everyone’s Welcome
We are ambitious about the future of retail. We’re disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We’re transforming how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make change happen.
We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together.
If you feel you'd benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.
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