Lead Engineer

Reed; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Reed is partnering with a major UK organisation to build a new AI-enabled engineering function. We are seeking a Lead Engineer who will stay hands-on while guiding technical direction across delivery teams and shaping engineering standards in an AI-native environment.

You'll collaborate with Product Managers, Architects and stakeholders to translate complex challenges into scalable, maintainable solutions, ensuring quality and delivery predictability throughout the lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Experience building production-grade software.
• Strong systems-thinking capability.
• Ability to lead technical delivery across engineering teams.
• Focus on quality, maintainability and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical delivery across one or two delivery teams.
• Mentor engineers and drive engineering excellence.
• Translate complex challenges into scalable technical solutions.
• Shape engineering standards and future direction of the technology function.

Skills

Production-grade software

Systems-thinking

AI/ML knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Tools

Python/ C#/ .NET

AI tooling

Software architecture

Job description

Build the future of AI-enabled engineering

(Role is Home based but need to be able to get to office in Leeds, when needed)

I'm partnering with a major UK organisation undergoing a significant technology transformation, backed by substantial investment and a clear vision for the future.

As part of this journey, they're building a new digital function to redefine how technology, AI and automation are embedded across the business. This is a rare opportunity to join at the beginning and help shape what comes next.

I'm looking to speak with experienced Lead Engineers who combine strong technical expertise with a modern engineering mindset. You'll play a key role in shaping engineering standards, guiding technical direction and delivering AI-enabled solutions that create real impact across a large and complex organisation.

If you're excited by the opportunity to build rather than inherit, influence technical strategy and help define what great engineering looks like in an AI-native environment, this could be the perfect next step.

The Opportunity

As a Lead Engineer, you'll be the senior technical voice across one or two delivery teams. Remaining hands-on, you'll build solutions, mentor engineers and drive engineering excellence throughout the delivery lifecycle.

Working closely with Product Managers, Architects and business stakeholders, you'll translate complex challenges into scalable technical solutions while ensuring quality, maintainability and delivery predictability remain central to everything you do.

You'll also help shape engineering standards, best practices and the future direction of the wider technology function.

What my client want:

You’ll have experience building and shipping production-grade software, most likely in Python, C# .NET or similar technologies, and be comfortable making technical decisions across architecture, delivery and engineering quality. You think in systems, understand engineering fundamentals and know what's happening under the hood when working with modern AI-enabled tooling.

You’ll also bring:

• Experience delivering production-grade software and scalable solutions
• Strong software engineering fundamentals and systems-thinking capability
• Experience leading technical delivery across engineering teams
• A focus on quality, maintainability and operational excellence
• Confidence engaging technical and non-technical stakeholders

I am particularly interested in engineers who understand how AI is changing software development. Whether that's using AI-enabled tools to accelerate productivity, building AI-powered solutions, or taking experiments through to production, you’ll be excited by the opportunity to work in an organisation already embracing AI at scale.

Having already rolled out Claude across the wider business, my client is now focused on building the engineering capability that sits underneath it, creating the platforms, integrations and services needed to make AI a core organisational capability.

Ideally you’ll also have exposure to:

• Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs)
• Claude, ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot and similar tools
• AI-enabled products, services or integrations
• Modern software delivery and emerging AI engineering practices

If you're a Lead Engineer who enjoys solving complex problems, embracing new technologies and helping define the future of engineering in an AI-first organisation, I'd be keen to speak with you.