How to become a backend software engineer at Shell

If you’re exploring backend engineering as a career option or wondering how to become a backend software engineer

, this article will prove insightful. It explains the skills, tools, and processes involved in writing backend code and becoming a backend software engineer. It will even explain the type of personal skills Shell looks for when assessing candidates for these positions.

Backend software engineers’s role in energy solutions

As energy companies like Shell continue to evolve, they’ll integrate digital technologies more deeply into their workflows. Software engineers who are well-versed in existing and new technologies are key to making the transition seamless.

While UX designers, front-end developers, product managers, and lead engineers have roles to play in the application lifecycle, backend developers will be crucial to keeping data flowing through the organization.

Shell's digital transformation

Shell is already in the midst of its digital transformation drive. Whether it’s using artificial intelligence for Proactive Technical Monitoring

or robotics

to keep our employees safe, our software engineers continue to develop creative solutions using digital technology.

Are you interested in a career path that involves accelerating this digital transformation? View available roles

at our company.

Understanding the role

Backend and front-end development couldn’t be more different. We’ll go over what working as a backend engineer entails.

What does a backend software engineer do?

Backend engineers work on the server side of websites or web applications. Their job entails writing code to ensure a website/application’s server communicates effectively with its users’ browsers. This role contrasts with the job description of front-end developers, who are responsible for coding an application’s user interface (i.e., everything the users see).

Some of their duties may include:

• Writing server-side logic that dictates how the server and client interact, facilitates data storage, and more.
• Using server-side software to perform tasks like database administration.
• performing UI tests.
• Coding server scripts or creating server components for multi-tier web applications; and so on.

Back-end engineering is the second half of the full-stack web development puzzle. A software development team can’t create sustainable web applications with sound business logic without back-end engineers.

Essential skills and technologies

A back-end engineer must be proficient in back-end programming languages. At Shell, we look for the following backend developer skills:

• Python: Python plays an important role in creating scripts for servers and our artificial intelligence projects.
• MongoDB: This JavaScript-based database language helps developers administer the databases that store Shell’s data.
• GraphQL: The API query language fetches data from the databases Shell engineers work with.

Extensive knowledge of the above languages and more will make you job-ready for a back-end developer role at Shell. In addition to these technical skills, we prioritize developers with excellent soft skills (i.e., who can work well with other developers).

Why pursue a career at Shell?

Shell is an excellent place to kickstart your back-end development career for the following reasons:

Innovation at the forefront

We believe that digital technologies are key to enhancing operational efficiency, improving energy security, and supporting a lower-carbon future. Thus, every innovative software application and technology we integrate into our processes puts us at the forefront of the energy industry’s push for sustainability.

Contribution to energy transition

Read our 2024 Energy Transition Strategy

to learn more about how the company plans to deliver value while reducing emissions.

Educational pathways

The most common pathways to becoming a backend software engineer

are getting a formal education and completing a course.

Degree requirements

Like most employers in the tech industry, Shell requires its engineers to have formal university-level training. The back-end developers who’ll be best suited for a role at the company will either have a computer science or information technology degree.

Valuable certifications and courses

An excellent way to enhance your resume when applying for backend development jobs is to include information about the certifications you’ve earned.

Examples of certifications you can earn to enhance a back-end development resume include:

• Certified Node.js Developer by OpenJS Foundation
• MongoDB Certified Developer Associate by MongoDB, Inc.
• Professional Data Engineer Certification by Google Cloud.

Certificates communicate that you have the technical skills to work with backend technologies.

Skills for success

You’ll need a combination of the following to kickstart your career and keep growing as a professional

:

Technical proficiency

Proficiency in programming languages like Java and Python is required for success in back-end development. This knowledge will help you perform day-to-day tasks like business rule implementation logic and building apps with cross-platform functionality.

Soft skills and professional attributes

You also need soft skills to ensure effective collaboration with your work colleagues and to find creative solutions to problems.

Building your career at Shell

We’ll cover tdevelopment opportunities for backend developers at Shell.

Entry points

Backend developers join the company in junior roles once they’ve demonstrated that they have the required skills and qualifications for the job.

Shell considers candidates based on their skills, qualifications, and relevant experience, including internships and contributions to open-source projects.

Career advancement

Career progression at Shell depends on individual expertise, business needs, and leadership potential. Backend developers may have opportunities to take on greater responsibilities, advance to senior roles, or lead engineering teams as they develop their technical and leadership skills

.

Application process

Applying for a role at Shell begins with viewing the available roles

and clicking the “Apply” button. You’ll need to register on our My Workday Jobs portal before you can apply. Once you do that, the application process involves answering questions about yourself and providing documents like your resume, certifications, and cover letter.

If you’ve already worked as a backend engineer, please see our application process for experienced professionals

.

Preparing your application

When applying for roles at Shell, include role-related keywords to optimize and help the algorithm “read” your application.

Additionally, keep your documents on hand for quick access and upload. Finally, provide as much information as possible.

The interview

Candidates who progress through the selection process may be invited to a telephone interview, where they can learn more about working at Shell and discuss their qualifications. Shell encourages candidates to ask their interviewers questions about life at the company, so feel free to let your curiosity run wild.

FAQs