Lead Software Engineer . AI Innovation (LS&H)
We are looking for a Lead Software Engineer to join our AI Engineering team in London . This is an exciting opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI-powered software, building reliable, scalable solutions that leverage Python, cloud technologies (Azure/AWS), microservices, and LLM-based applications. You will be joining a small, highly skilled engineering team, reporting to the Engineering Manager. We have deep expertise in backend development, AI/ML, cloud services, and data engineering, and we would love to speak with you if you have strong skills in Python backend engineering, cloud ecosystems, and AI-driven solution development. About You – Experience, Education, Skills, And Accomplishments
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- 5+ years of professional software engineering experience, including 3+ years developing backend systems in Python (APIs, microservices, ETL pipelines).
- 5+ years of experience working in cross-functional, agile teams, collaborating with Product, Cloud Ops, Architecture, Engineering, and SMEs.
- 1+ year of experience working with LLMs or agentic AI applications, with demonstrable understanding of their reliability challenges.
- 3+ years of experience working in cloud environments (Azure or AWS), including deploying or integrating backend services.
- Experience contributing to or defining software architecture for complex systems.
- Experience with AI/ML workflows, such as RAG, vector databases, or evaluation techniques.
- Experience mentoring or providing technical guidance to other engineers.
- Scoping technical projects from initial ideas through implementation, taking initiative in shaping direction and contributing to strategic decisions such as whether to build capabilities in-house, use cloud-native services, or adopt open-source technologies.
- Designing, developing, and maintaining backend services, including APIs, microservices, and ETL pipelines running in Azure or AWS.
- Translating ideas, requirements, and problem statements from multiple teams into high-quality, reliable code and working proof-of-concepts.
- Collaborating closely with Cloud Operations, Solution Architecture, Product Engineering, Product Management, and SMEs to understand needs and deliver technical solutions.
- Building and iterating LLM-based or agentic AI applications, ensuring reliability, quality, and awareness of AI limitations.
- Evaluating and integrating with applications written in other languages (e.g., Java, Typescript) when needed.
- Leading the technical approach on assigned work by taking initiative and ownership from design through implementation.
- Testing, validating, and continuously improving solutions through unit tests, automation, and iterative development.
- Progressing projects from initial concept to prototype and contributing to the technical plans needed to move them toward production.
- Working in an agile, fast-paced environment, adapting priorities based on business needs and contributing to a culture of continuous improvement.