Lead AI Software Engineer

SoCode Limited; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading tech company is seeking a Lead AI Software Engineer to develop and scale AI capabilities. This hybrid role based in Cambridge focuses heavily on Python and offers a salary between £80,000 - £100,000, plus bonuses and benefits. Ideal candidates will have strong software engineering fundamentals, experience with AI systems in production, and enjoy working in iterative, collaborative teams. You'll provide technical leadership and advice on effective AI tool usage, all while working in a fast-paced startup environment.

Qualifications

• Strong Python development experience and a track record of writing clean, well‑tested code.
• Experience running AI systems in production and turning new ideas into real products.
• Cloud experience building scalable AI and data applications.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and deploy AI‑driven features and systems in Python.
• Take prototypes and research ideas through to scalable, production‑ready applications.
• Improve platform performance and developer experience.

Skills

Python development

AI systems production experience

Cloud experience

Collaboration

Tools

CI/CD

Data stacks

DevOps practices

Job description

Lead AI Software Engineer

£80,000 - £100,000 + bonus and benefits

No Sponsorship option

Cambridge Hybrid, 1-2 days per week

We're looking for a Lead AI Software Engineer to help shape and scale our AI capabilities. This is a hands‑on, Python‑heavy role for someone who enjoys writing production‑quality code and building AI‑powered systems end to end.

You’ll spend a significant portion of your time developing in Python—designing, building, and shipping AI and data‑driven features—while also providing technical leadership and setting direction for how AI is used across the business. You’ll work closely with product, engineering, and data teams to take ideas from prototype to production in a fast‑moving startup environment.

This role is ideal for someone with strong software engineering fundamentals, deep interest in AI, and a bias toward action and ownership.

What you’ll do

• Design, build, and deploy AI‑driven features and systems in Python
• Take prototypes and research ideas through to scalable, production‑ready applications
• Improve platform performance, data models, and developer experience
• Provide technical leadership and mentor engineers across the team
• Act as an internal AI expert, advising teams on effective use of LLMs and emerging AI tools

What we’re looking for

• Strong Python development experience and a track record of writing clean, well‑tested code
• Experience running AI systems in production and turning new ideas into real products
• Cloud experience building scalable AI and data applications
• Comfort working end to end, from architecture to delivery
• Clear communicator who thrives in collaborative, fast‑paced teams

Nice to have

• Experience with generative AI frameworks and evaluation strategies
• Familiarity with modern data stacks and cloud AI platforms
• Front‑end experience (React / JavaScript)
• Experience with CI/CD, infrastructure‑as‑code, and modern DevOps practices