Senior AI Software Engineer (Hybrid) – Java & Spring

Vodafone; Newbury; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Vodafone is seeking a Lead AI Software Engineer to spearhead delivery across squads and platform capabilities in a hybrid UK role based in Newbury or Paddington. You will translate complex specifications into scalable, secure software, mentor engineers, and drive AI-native practices from design to deployment.

You will guide teams on AI-assisted coding, build high‑impact components, review code for security and quality, and champion CI/CD, observability, and production readiness across the

Qualifications

• 7+ years of software engineering experience, delivering production-grade software.
• Strong hands-on Java and Spring Boot with React or Angular experience.
• Designing RESTful APIs, microservices, and platform integrations.
• Experience with cloud-native architectures, distributed systems, and containers.
• Experience with AI-assisted engineering tools and responsible AI practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead build execution within a squad, platform capability, or engineering domain.
• Translate specs and designs into actionable implementation plans.
• Guide engineers and AI coding agents through delivery activities.
• Deliver and oversee complex software components with high business impact.
• Review AI-generated and human-written code for correctness and security.
• Advance CI/CD, testing, observability, and production readiness.
• Ensure AI outputs are explainable, traceable, and compliant with standards.
• Escalate architectural risk and optimize cross-domain decisions.
• Identify recurring issues and improve controls and guidance.
• Coach engineers in AI-native software practices and governance.
• Contribute to evolving AI-native SDLC and developer productivity.

Skills

Java

Spring Boot

React

Angular

RESTful APIs

Microservices

Integrations

Platform services

Digital applications

Cloud-native

Distributed systems

Containerised environments

Event‑driven

Kafka

RabbitMQ

CI/CD

Automated testing

Observability

Production support

AI-assisted engineering tools

Responsible AI

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Tools

Kafka

RabbitMQ

CI/CD tooling

Job description

Vodafone is seeking a Lead AI Software Engineer to spearhead delivery across squads and platform capabilities in a hybrid UK role based in Newbury or Paddington. You will translate complex specifications into scalable, secure software, mentor engineers, and drive AI-native practices from design to deployment.

You will guide teams on AI-assisted coding, build high‑impact components, review code for security and quality, and champion CI/CD, observability, and production readiness across the