Python Software Engineer – R&D / AI

Salt; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Salt is seeking talented Python Software Engineers for a permanent role based in Cambridge, onsite two days per week (Weds & Thurs). You will join a high‑calibre R&D team focused on AI-driven product portfolios, prototyping, and producing production‑quality software.

You’ll design, develop and maintain Python solutions, tackle complex technical problems, and collaborate across backend services, APIs and cloud platforms within an innovative engineering environment.

Qualifications

• Strong Python programming fundamentals and hands-on experience.
• Experience building applications, services or software products.
• Strong analytical and logical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work through unfamiliar technical challenges.
• Understanding of software engineering principles, testing and maintainable code.
• Exposure to Docker/containerisation and cloud technologies.
• Experience with APIs, backend development or distributed systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and maintain software primarily using Python.
• Take ideas from early prototype through to production-quality solutions.
• Solve complex technical problems within an R&D environment.
• Build new functionality across AI-driven products and services.
• Develop clean, maintainable and well-tested software.
• Work across backend services, APIs and distributed/cloud-based systems.
• Use technologies including Docker, Kubernetes and cloud platforms.
• Consider the full engineering lifecycle – build, test, maintain, scale and ship.
• Collaborate with engineers and technical specialists.
• Take ownership of technical challenges and contribute to engineering decisions.
• Experiment with new approaches and challenge assumptions where appropriate.

Skills

Python

Docker

Kubernetes

Cloud platforms

APIs

Backend development

Distributed systems

Testing

Education

Computer Science

Software Engineering

Electronic / Electrical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Mathematics

Physics

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

Onsite: 2 days per week in Cambridge – Wednesday & Thursday

Employment: Permanent

The Opportunity

We are working with a leading technology organisation that is significantly expanding its R&D engineering capability following increased investment in its AI-driven product portfolio.

They are looking for talented Python Software Engineers who enjoy solving complex technical problems, experimenting with new ideas and building high-quality software within a genuine R&D environment.

This isn't a traditional maintenance-focused development role. Engineers are encouraged to prototype, experiment, challenge existing approaches and take ownership of technical problems from initial concept through to production.

What You'll Be Doing

• Design, develop and maintain software primarily using Python.
• Take ideas from early prototype through to production-quality solutions.
• Solve complex and unfamiliar technical problems within an R&D environment.
• Build new functionality across AI-driven products and services.
• Develop clean, maintainable and well-tested software.
• Work across backend services, APIs and distributed/cloud-based systems.
• Use technologies including Docker, Kubernetes and cloud platforms.
• Consider the full engineering lifecycle – how solutions are built, tested, maintained, scaled and shipped.
• Collaborate with talented engineers and other technical specialists.
• Take ownership of technical challenges and contribute to engineering decisions.
• Experiment with new approaches and challenge assumptions where appropriate.

What We're Looking For

We're particularly interested in candidates with strong engineering fundamentals and problem-solving ability.

You should ideally have:

• Strong programming fundamentals and hands‑on experience with Python.
• Experience building applications, services or software products.
• Strong analytical and logical problem‑solving skills.
• The ability to work through unfamiliar technical challenges.
• Understanding of software engineering principles, testing and maintainable code.
• Exposure to Docker/containerisation.
• Exposure to cloud technologies and modern development environments.
• An understanding of APIs, backend development or distributed systems.
• The ability to work autonomously while collaborating effectively with other engineers.
• Genuine technical curiosity and an interest in understanding how things work.

Your Background

Previous cybersecurity experience is not required.

We are interested in strong software engineers and technically minded problem‑solvers from a range of industries.

Relevant academic backgrounds could include:

• Computer Science
• Software Engineering
• Electronic / Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Other technical or STEM disciplines

We are also very interested in candidates who have transitioned from traditional engineering disciplines into software development.

The Person

This environment is particularly well suited to someone who:

• Enjoys difficult technical problems.
• Is naturally curious and wants to understand how systems work.
• Doesn’t need every problem broken down into step‑by‑step instructions.
• Takes ownership and demonstrates initiative.
• Enjoys experimenting and prototyping.
• Can explain their technical reasoning clearly.
• Wants their contribution to have a visible impact.
• Enjoys working alongside other highly capable engineers.

Interview Process

The process consists of two stages.

Stage 1 – Technical Interview

A technical assessment focused on:

• Python coding
• Problem solving
• Algorithms and logical reasoning
• Software engineering fundamentals
• Discussion around previous technical projects and engineering decisions

Stage 2 – Final Interview

A further discussion covering technical capability, engineering mindset, motivation and overall fit with the R&D environment.

Why Consider It?

This is an opportunity to join a highly technical R&D environment working at the intersection of software engineering, AI and cybersecurity.

You’ll have the opportunity to solve challenging engineering problems, build new technology and contribute directly to a rapidly developing AI-focused product portfolio.