Lead AI Engineer

Mastercard, Inc.; City Of London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global technology company is seeking a Lead AI Engineer to build next-generation AI-powered platforms. The ideal candidate will develop intelligent systems, enhance AI agents, and work with emerging technologies. Strong experience in Python and a keen interest in AI/ML concepts are essential. This role offers the opportunity to collaborate with top talent and make a lasting impact in global commerce.

Qualifications

• Basic understanding of AI/ML concepts and enthusiasm for generative AI.
• Experience with Python and backend frameworks.
• Strong analytical skills and curiosity for exploring new AI capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and enhance AI agents and backend systems for the AI platform.
• Evaluate LLMs and emerging technologies.
• Implement safeguards to ensure secure, ethical AI responses.
• Build APIs and microservices for AI features.

Skills

Python

AI/ML concepts

REST APIs

Analytical skills

Collaborative mindset

Tools

FastAPI

Flask

Node.js

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

Our Purpose

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we're helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

Title and Summary

Lead AI Engineer

About Mastercard

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry, connecting billions of consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments, and businesses worldwide. We are driving the future of commerce by enabling secure, simple, and smart transactions. Artificial Intelligence is at the core of our strategy to make Mastercard stronger and commerce safer, smarter and more personal.

The Role:

At Mastercard, we're building next-generation AI-powered platforms to drive innovation and impact. As an AI Engineer, you'll work with cutting-edge tools, large language models (LLMs), and emerging frameworks to develop intelligent systems. You'll collaborate with senior engineers, data scientists, and product teams-gaining hands-on experience while contributing to real-world AI solutions.

You'll help implement Agentic AI systems, develop backend services, and explore new AI capabilities. Your focus will include prompt engineering, guardrail design, and experimentation to ensure safe, scalable, and effective AI applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and enhance AI agents and backend systems for Mastercard's AI platform
• Evaluate LLMs and emerging technologies to identify innovation opportunities
• Design and optimize prompts for LLMs
• Implement safeguards to ensure secure, ethical AI responses
• Build APIs, microservices, and data integrations for AI features
• Write clean, maintainable code following industry best practices
• Stay current with advancements in AI and software engineering

All About You

• Basic understanding of AI/ML concepts and enthusiasm for generative AI
• Experience with Python and backend frameworks (e.g., FastAPI, Flask, Node.js)
• Knowledge of REST APIs and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• Strong analytical skills and curiosity for exploring new AI capabilities
• Collaborative mindset and openness to feedback and mentorship
• Interest in prompt engineering, AI safety, and scalable deployment

Why Join Us?

At Mastercard, you'll help shape the future of AI in global commerce-solving complex challenges at scale, driving financial inclusion, and reinforcing the trust and security that define our brand. You'll work with world-class talent, cutting-edge technologies, and will make a lasting impact.

Corporate Security Responsibility

All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must:

• Abide by Mastercard's security policies and practices;
• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;
• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and
• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard's guidelines.