Junior Engineer (SEA)

First Circle is an SME-focused, credit-centric, and multi-product NeoBank in SE Asia which is fast-growing (>100%), profitable, and internationalising soon.

We started life as an SME lender in the Philippines in 2016 to solve the SME credit gap by using technology to systemise underwriting, deliver exceptional UX, and automate away delivery costs. We’ve delivered our clients the fastest, cheapest, most flexible credit line available to businesses anywhere in Southeast Asia. We’ve been rewarded with both fast growth and exceptional unit economics, a rare combination in our space.

Over the past two years we’ve expanded our product range to include business bank accounts & payments, e-Invoices, corporate credit cards, rooftop solar, and most recently deposits catalysed by securing a full bank charter in the Philippines. In 2027, we’ll expand our geographical coverage to include at least two new markets in APAC.

Our excellent track record results from our people & culture. We combine high standards & intensity with a collegiate environment. Our barometers of success are the rate of personal growth of our people, how long high performers choose to stay, and ensuring we we raise the bar with every hire.

We are now hiring junior developers to grow with us during our most ambitious year of growth to date. You’ll work on real production systems from day one, with regular mentorship from senior engineers who have built software all over the world.

Building in developing markets like the Philippines presents unique challenges, given the state of digital infrastructure. We are building virtually everything in-house, which is not easy, but it’s a lot of fun. We have a track record of solving seemingly impossible problems that defeated many other start-ups, and the opportunity ahead remains enormous.

Requirements

• Hands-on experience with at least one of C#, Kotlin, or Java, gained through work, internships, or substantial personal projects. React experience is a plus.
• Solid fundamentals: writing clean, readable code; working with relational databases and SQL; building and consuming REST APIs; and using Git.
• Up to one year of professional experience is ideal, but not essential. What you’ve built matters most to us.
• A degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field.
• An understanding of why tests matter and a willingness to write them.
• A creative, problem-solving mindset and a love of critical thinking. You won’t be expected to get everything right, but you should be able to explain your thinking.
• Eagerness to learn quickly, ask questions, and act on feedback.
• Good written and spoken English. You’ll work with colleagues across Europe and Southeast Asia.
• Curiosity about AI and experience using AI tools to learn and work more effectively.
• Previous experience with fintech, payments, or banking is nice to have.

What you’ll do

• Build and improve backend services and APIs, and where relevant, frontend features in React.
• Start with well-scoped tasks and quickly take ownership of larger features, from first idea to production.
• Write tests, take part in code reviews, and learn how to keep production systems reliable.
• Help investigate and fix issues in production, alongside senior engineers.
• Work with product, design, and business teams to understand real customer needs and turn them into working software.

Benefits

• No fixed budget, we hire globally and adjust offers based on experience and market rate.
• Flexibility around working hours and location.
• Macbooks, private health insurance, training budgets and more!
• Opportunity to travel

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