Lead Backend Engineer (Python) - AI Platform and Cloud

digiLab; Exeter; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Personal & professional development

BUPA private health care (via salary-s

Company Cashplan

Cycle to work scheme

Referral Program

Regular social events

Job summary

digiLab is seeking a Lead Engineer (Backend) to drive architectural design, production-ready backend services, and scalable systems in a data-intensive, AI-enabled setting. You will establish engineering standards, guide a high-performing team, and work closely with product management to translate business needs into robust technical solutions.

The role emphasizes Python expertise, DevOps/MLOps practices, security-first design, and a collaborative, Scrum-driven environment across on-site offices

Qualifications

• Degree in computer science or a related field.
• Extensive backend software development experience.
• Expert knowledge of Python.
• Experience with Linux and command-line workflows.
• Hands-on Docker/containerisation experience.
• Experience with Git/GitHub and collaboration practices.
• Strong automated testing knowledge and testing pyramid.
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced agile team (Scrum).
• Experience managing and mentoring engineers.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural design, development, testing, and deployment of backend services.
• Own backend system design for scalability, security, robustness, and maintainability.
• Design and implement cloud infrastructure using Infrastructure as Code.
• Apply security best practices across backend, infra, and data handling.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver production-ready solutions.
• Drive engineering excellence through standards, code reviews, and reusable patterns.
• Coach and mentor engineers to enhance team capability across backend and cloud systems.
• Ensure adherence to RESTful API design principles and API documentation.
• Leverage DevOps/MLOps practices to improve reliability and deployment workflows.

Skills

Leadership

Agile/Scrum

Mentoring

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Python

Docker

Git/GitHub

Linux

Infrastructure as Code

Job description

digiLab is seeking a Lead Engineer (Backend) to drive architectural design, production-ready backend services, and scalable systems in a data-intensive, AI-enabled setting. You will establish engineering standards, guide a high-performing team, and work closely with product management to translate business needs into robust technical solutions.

The role emphasizes Python expertise, DevOps/MLOps practices, security-first design, and a collaborative, Scrum-driven environment across on-site offices