Senior Software Engineer II - AI Engineer

Elsevier; London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global information and analytics provider in London is seeking a Senior Software Engineer II. This role involves designing and implementing AI services, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and mentoring engineers. Ideal candidates should have strong programming skills in Python and Java, along with experience in Kubernetes. The company offers a healthy work-life balance and generous benefits.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Health screening and private medical benefits

Wellbeing programs

Access to extensive learning and development resources

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• Good experience in software engineering.
• Experience mentoring others and contributing to technical decisions.
• Ability to work effectively in Agile or Kanban environments.

Responsibilities

• Designing and maintaining generative AI services.
• Deploying scalable applications in a Kubernetes environment.
• Collaborating with product and research teams.

Skills

Proficiency in Python

Proficiency in Java

Experience with Kubernetes

Strong background in backend systems

Familiarity with generative AI tools

Job description

Senior Software Engineer II - AI Engineer

About the team:

Our team is dedicated to unlocking the rich knowledge embedded within Elsevier’s content through our semantic data platform; this empowers researchers, clinicians, and innovators worldwide to gain new insights, make informed decisions, and accelerate progress across research, healthcare, and life sciences. We lead the ongoing transformation of Elsevier’s vast, unstructured information into richly interconnected knowledge graphs that capture the full depth and nuance of scientific meaning.

Through our dynamic knowledge discovery platform, we combine graph-powered agentic AI with advanced search & retrieval technologies to deliver contextually relevant, trustworthy, and precise answers to users.

As part of this mission, the AI Engineering team is focused on building reusable generative AI capabilities that can be embedded across products and platforms. We create scalable, secure, and production-ready AI services — enabling downstream teams to integrate cutting-edge GenAI features with confidence.

About the role:

We are seeking a Senior Software Engineer II with a passion for generative AI and platform architecture. In this role, you will design and implement robust systems to deliver reusable AI services and components, collaborating closely with cross-functional stakeholders to solve meaningful challenges. You will also contribute to architectural decisions, mentor other engineers, and help evolve our engineering practices.

Key responsibilities:

• Designing, developing, and maintaining generative AI services and reusable components using Python and Java.
• Deploying scalable applications in a Kubernetes (EKS) environment.
• Contributing to system architecture and design across multiple services.
• Collaborating with product, platform, and research teams to translate AI prototypes into production-ready solutions.
• Building and optimizing CI/CD pipelines and apply test-driven development practices.
• Troubleshooting and resolving complex technical challenges in distributed systems.
• Supporting and mentoring team members, sharing knowledge and best practices.
• Participating in code reviews and architecture discussions to ensure quality and maintainability.
• Stay current with developments in generative AI and promote responsible integration into products.

Requirements:

• Good experience in software engineering (formal education not required).
• Proficiency in Python and Java.
• Experience with Kubernetes (EKS) and cloud-native systems.
• Strong background in building scalable backend systems and APIs.
• Familiarity with generative AI tools (e.g., HuggingFace, LangChain, vector databases).
• Understanding of software development methodologies and data modelling.
• Experience mentoring others and contributing to technical decisions.
• Ability to work effectively in Agile or Kanban environments.

Why join us?

Are you ready to help us progress science and health? Our technology leads to innovation, so join a forward-thinking digital business that is tackling world-scale challenges and align your ambitions with our passion for driving global knowledge-sharing.

Work in a way that works for you

We promote a healthy work/life balance across the organization. We offer an appealing working prospect for our people. With numerous wellbeing initiatives, shared parental leave, study assistance and sabbaticals, we will help you meet your immediate responsibilities and your long-term goals.

• Flexible hours - flex the times when you work in the day to help you fit everything in and work when you are the most productive.

Working for you

We know that your well-being and happiness are key to a long and successful career. These are some of the benefits we are delighted to offer:

• Generous holiday allowance with the option to buy additional days.
• Health screening, eye care vouchers and private medical benefits.
• Wellbeing programs.
• Life assurance.
• Access to a competitive contributory pension scheme.
• Long service awards.
• Save As You Earn share option scheme.
• Travel Season ticket loan.
• Maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave.
• Access to emergency care for both the elderly and children.
• RECARES days, giving you time to support the charities and causes that matter to you.
• Access to employee resource groups with dedicated time to volunteer.
• Access to extensive learning and development resources.
• Access to employee discounts via Perks at Work.

About Elsevier:

A global leader in information and analytics, we help researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. Building on our publishing heritage, we combine quality information and vast data sets with analytics to support visionary science and research, health education and interactive learning, as well as exceptional healthcare and clinical practice. At Elsevier, your work contributes to the world’s grand challenges and a more sustainable future. We harness innovative technologies to support science and healthcare to partner for a better world.

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