Back End Developer Milano Milano Apprenticeships in Italia, Italia

Why This Role Matters

This is a pivotal role supporting our O+O (Offline & Online) strategy, to deliver flexible, secure and scalable digital platforms that power reliable customer journeys across our brands. As a Back End Developer, you’ll play an important role in transforming business ambition into high-quality technical solutions, working closely with Product Owners, Front End Developers, Architects, QA Engineers and other stakeholders across the business. With growing autonomy, you’ll contribute to the design, development and optimisation of reliable back-end services that underpin our digital products. This is an exciting opportunity to help deliver innovative solutions that create real customer value and shape how millions of customers experience our brands so we can put a smile on our customers’ faces today and tomorrow.

What You'll Be Doing

• Design, estimate, develop and enhance reliable back-end solutions that support seamless O+O (Offline & Online) customer journeys.
• Build clean, secure and high-performing services using established engineering standards, patterns and best practices.
• Develop Java and SAP CX solutions that deliver scalable and engaging customer experiences.
• Create and support integrations across REST, GraphQL, event-driven APIs and cloud-based services.
• Apply observability and monitoring practices to improve platform performance, reliability and issue resolution.
• Leverage approved AI tools to enhance productivity, code quality and technical documentation.
• Collaborate with Product, QA and Delivery teams throughout the full software development lifecycle.
• Troubleshoot and resolve defects, continuously improving platform quality and customer outcomes.
• Share knowledge and provide practical guidance to junior developers, helping to build capability across the team.

What You'll Bring

• Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science or a related discipline, with at least two years’ experience in software development.
• Experience developing web applications using Java, with exposure to SAP CX (Hybris) and modern back-end development practices.
• Working knowledge of REST and GraphQL integrations, with an understanding of event-driven architectures and cloud-based technologies.
• A passion for writing clean, maintainable and well-tested code, with a focus on quality, security and performance.
• Ability to analyse requirements, break down complex technical challenges and deliver high-quality back-end solutions that support business and customer needs.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills, with the ability to prioritise work, collaborate across teams and manage competing demands.
• Experience working within multinational organisations and retail or eCommerce environments would be advantageous.
• A growth mindset, with an interest in emerging technologies, AI-assisted development and continuous learning within a fast-paced international environment.

How You Will Make an Impact

• Play a key role in delivering the digital experiences that millions of customers rely on every day.
• Help shape solutions that balance customer needs, business objectives and technical excellence.
• Contribute ideas that drive innovation, continuous improvement and smarter ways of working.
• Build trusted relationships across teams, helping to create a collaborative and high-performing engineering culture.
• Share knowledge and support the development of others, strengthening capability across the team.
• Take ownership of your professional growth, developing new skills and expanding your technical expertise in a fast-moving digital environment.
• Be part of a team that delivers meaningful solutions and creates lasting value for our customers and business.

Who We Are

You may not have heard of us, but you’ll know our brands! AS Watson is the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, with over 17,000 stores across 31 markets serving over 5.3 billion customers each year. From Superdrug, Kruidvat and Watsons to Marionnaud, The Perfume Shop and many more, our brands are loved by customers around the world. Behind them are passionate people who are encouraged to innovate, collaborate and grow.

What You'll Get From Us

• Competitive base salary of €36,000–€41,000 based on your skills and experience
• Performance Bonus
• Exclusive Discounts – Enjoy savings across our iconic brands
• Holiday entitlement
• Hybrid Working Model
• Refer-a-friend scheme
• Learning and Development Opportunities
• Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
• Welfare allowance
• Food Vouchers – Lunch is on us!