Lead Platform Engineer - AI-Driven Backend & Ownership

Nextech; Sefton; Hybrid; GBP 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Agentic AI in London is seeking a Lead Platform Engineer to own the build across our stack. This player-coach role is 80% hands-on backend work and reports directly to the Head of Engineering; you’ll set the technical bar and drive delivery while still writing code.

You’ll lead a small team, shape microservice and event-driven architecture, and design scalable backend systems. You’ll collaborate with remote engineers in India, work with Claude Code and agentic workflows, and contribute to

Qualifications

• 5-8+ years hands-on engineering in AI, SaaS, or automation platforms.
• First-class or strong degree in CS, Engineering, Maths, or related.
• Already a lead engineer or ready to own more.
• Deep Node.js/NestJS expertise; REST API and microservices; Next.js bonus.
• Hands-on experience with LLMs and agentic workflows; Claude Code use daily.
• Startup DNA or top-firm performer; comfortable making strong calls.
• Desire to own hard problems and lead a small team while building.
• Able to lead engineers while remaining the strongest builder in the room.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and build scalable backend systems and APIs end to end.
• Design microservice and event-driven architectures for real-time workflows.
• Lead a small team, drive delivery, review work, own what ships.
• Set the standard for agentic AI development and Claude Code workflows.
• Shape technical strategy directly with the Head of Engineering.
• Maintain secure, performant systems and data pipelines as we scale.
• Get close to the product and understand workflows being automated.

Skills

Node.js

NestJS

REST API

Microservices

Next.js

LLMs

Agentic workflows

Team leadership

Startup experience

Ownership

Education

CS/Engineering/Math degree

Tools

Google Cloud

Kubernetes

PostgreSQL

MongoDB

Qdrant

Job description

Agentic AI in London is seeking a Lead Platform Engineer to own the build across our stack. This player-coach role is 80% hands-on backend work and reports directly to the Head of Engineering; you’ll set the technical bar and drive delivery while still writing code.

You’ll lead a small team, shape microservice and event-driven architecture, and design scalable backend systems. You’ll collaborate with remote engineers in India, work with Claude Code and agentic workflows, and contribute to