Lead AI Architect

Trades Workforce Solutions; Remote; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading AI consultancy in the United Kingdom seeks a Senior AI Developer Architect to take ownership of the backend architecture for a new Conversational AI platform. This crucial role involves designing and building high-concurrency microservices in a cloud-native environment. Required skills include extensive backend development, experience in distributed systems, and proficiency in TypeScript, Node.js, or similar languages. This is an opportunity to shape the future of conversational AI and make impactful architectural decisions.

Qualifications

• 10+ years backend development experience, with 5+ in architectural leadership.
• Strong experience in distributed systems and event-driven design.
• Proficiency in TypeScript/Node, Go, Python, or Java.

Responsibilities

• Own the backend architecture for a distributed, cloud-native SaaS platform.
• Build event-driven microservices and streaming pipelines.
• Define and enforce API standards across REST, GraphQL, and gRPC.

Skills

Backend development

Distributed systems

Event-driven design

TypeScript

Node.js

Cloud-native architectures

Tools

Kafka

Docker

Kubernetes

Terraform

Job description

Senior AI Developer Architect

12 month contract (outside IR35)

£500-£700 p/d

Build the backbone of a next‑gen Conversational AI platform

If you’re the kind of engineer who sees a messy distributed system and feels joy instead of fear, keep reading.

Edge Tech is working with early‑stage, high‑growth AI consultancy who are building a real‑time Conversational AI and low‑code platform for an enterprise customer who need serious speed, stability and scale. We’re looking for a Senior Developer Architect to take ownership of the backend engine that makes the whole thing tick.

This is a “big scope, big impact” role. No fluff. No passenger seats. You’ll be defining the architecture, setting the standards and building the core services that power voice, chat and AI orchestration across a multi‑tenant SaaS environment.

What you’ll take on

Shape the architecture

• Own the backend architecture for a distributed, cloud‑native SaaS platform
• Build event‑driven microservices and streaming pipelines for high‑concurrency interactions
• Design the orchestration layer that keeps conversations, state and sessions flowing
• Create the patterns behind our low‑code runtime, plugin system and extensibility model
• Handle the fun stuff like multi‑tenant isolation, usage metering and resource throttling

Lead with deep engineering chops

• Guide service design across auth, workflow engines, messaging and conversation state
• Set and enforce API standards across REST, GraphQL and gRPC
• Partner with DevOps on deployments, Kubernetes optimisation and networking
• Build out proper observability so things don’t break silently
• Shape versioning, compatibility and service evolution in a fast‑moving, continuous delivery world

Bridge AI and backend architecture

• Architect the interfaces into LLMs, NLU modules, STT/TTS, vector stores
• Define clean boundaries between AI services and platform services
• Build and evolve the low‑code execution layer that lets non‑engineers deploy logic at runtime
• Make sure real‑time voice and digital channels tie neatly into the orchestration layer

What you bring

• 10+ years backend development, 5+ in senior architectural leadership
• Real expertise in distributed systems, event‑driven design and stream processing (Kafka/NATS/Pulsar etc)
• Strong in TypeScript/Node, Go, Python or Java
• Deep comfort with microservices, service mesh, API governance
• Strong cloud‑native foundation: Kubernetes, Docker, Helm, Terraform
• Solid understanding of data modelling, caching and state management (Postgres, Redis, Mongo etc)
• Experience with real‑time protocols like WebSockets, WebRTC, SIP or RTP
• Bonus points for building low‑code/no‑code engines or workflow compilers
• Clear thinker, hands‑on architect, strong communicator who can mentor and influence senior teams

Why this role matters

You won’t just be “improving the platform.” You’ll be defining the platform. The decisions you make here will shape how enterprises build, deploy and scale conversational AI for years to come.

If you want the kind of role where your architectural decisions actually matter and you enjoy working across product, AI, platform and engineering, this is the one.

Want to explore it? Apply now to find out more.