Application Guide

How to Apply for Software Engineer (Backend, Python)

at Octopus Energy

🏢 About Octopus Energy

Octopus Energy is a global energy tech company disrupting the traditional energy market with a focus on transparency, AI, and renewables. Known for its innovative platform, Kraken, the company operates in multiple countries and is committed to a low CO2 future. Working here means joining a fast-growing, tech-driven team that values clean energy and engineering excellence.

About This Role

As a Backend Software Engineer in France, you'll design and build robust services for the subscription tunnel and customer dashboard, translating complex energy business rules into high-performance technical solutions. You'll collaborate with international teams on a shared monorepo, ensuring end-to-end code quality from architecture to monitoring. Your work directly impacts customer experience and operational efficiency.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start with a stand-up with your French and international team, discussing progress on the subscription tunnel service. You'll then dive into coding a new feature using Django, followed by reviewing a colleague's pull request on the monorepo. In the afternoon, you might collaborate with product managers to clarify a business rule, then deploy a fix and monitor its performance in production.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Octopus Energy Is Looking For

  • Experienced with 3+ years in similar backend roles, with strong Python and Django skills.
  • Solid understanding of layered architecture and handling dense business logic, especially in domains like energy or finance.
  • Comfortable working in English within a global, monorepo-based codebase and collaborating across time zones.
  • Detail-oriented with a focus on code quality, testing, and monitoring; proactive in proposing technical improvements.

📝 Tips for Applying to Octopus Energy

1

Highlight experience with Django and layered architecture in your resume, using specific examples of complex business logic you've implemented.

2

Showcase any work with international teams or large-scale monorepos, as Octopus uses a global codebase.

3

Mention familiarity with French energy market rules or similar regulated industries, even if briefly.

4

Include links to GitHub or open-source contributions, especially Python projects, to demonstrate coding style.

5

Tailor your cover letter to Octopus's mission of transparency and renewables; avoid generic statements about wanting to "make an impact."

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Emphasize your ability to translate complex business rules (like energy pricing or subscription logic) into clean, maintainable code.', 'Highlight your experience with Django and layered architecture, and how it ensures scalability and testability.', 'Show enthusiasm for working in a global, English-speaking environment and contributing to a monorepo.', "Express alignment with Octopus's values of transparency, innovation, and sustainability."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read about Octopus's Kraken platform and how it powers their energy operations globally.
  • → Understand the French energy market context: regulations, renewable energy targets, and how Octopus positions itself.
  • → Check Octopus's blog or engineering talks on tech challenges, particularly around monorepos and Django.
  • → Look at their recent news or sustainability reports to understand company priorities and culture.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Design a Django service for a subscription workflow with complex pricing rules.
2 How do you structure a layered architecture in Django? Discuss models, services, and views separation.
3 How would you handle internationalization and localization in a monorepo shared across countries?
4 Describe a time you debugged a performance issue in a Python backend; what tools and approaches did you use?
5 How do you ensure code quality and monitoring in a distributed team? Examples of CI/CD, testing, and logging.
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't apply without tailoring your resume to backend Python/Django roles; generic full-stack applications stand out negatively.
  • Avoid neglecting the English requirement; ensure your application materials are in clear, professional English.
  • Don't overlook the importance of business logic experience; failing to mention how you handled complex rules in past roles can weaken your application.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Octopus Energy !

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