Software Engineer

Mind Foundry; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EMI options scheme

25 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Private Healthcare (including dental/

Life Cover

Parental and Sickness Leave

Workplace Nursery Scheme

Pet friendly office

Professional and personal development

Job summary

Mind Foundry is seeking a Software Engineer in Oxford to join a multidisciplinary team delivering AI/ML systems for defence and national security. You’ll design and deploy scalable web applications, collaborate across functions, and own delivery from design to deployment.

The role emphasises software quality, CI/CD practices and continuous learning in a hybrid on-site/office setting. Ideal candidates will have 2+ years of commercial software experience, strong Python/API skills, and a background

Qualifications

• 2+ years of commercial software engineering experience across back-end systems and platforms.
• Strong Python, APIs and relational databases experience.
• Experience building and maintaining full‑stack web applications.
• Ability to work independently in a contract-based environment.
• Experience with Agile development and DevOps practices.
• Holds a technical degree or equivalent experience.
• Strong cross‑functional communication and teamwork skills.
• Familiarity with CI/CD and deployment automation.
• Exposure to ML/AI deployment is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain scalable web applications using modern technologies.
• Collaborate with engineers, scientists, designers and product specialists to deliver features.
• Own technical delivery from design through deployment.
• Contribute to architectural decisions shaping platforms and projects.
• Champion software quality with testing, docs, and CI/CD.
• Participate in Agile sprint planning, reviews and retrospectives.
• Foster continuous learning and knowledge sharing within the team.

Skills

Python

APIs

Relational databases

Full-stack web apps

Agile

DevOps

Communication

Education

BSc in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or equivalent

Tools

Kubernetes

Docker

CI/CD

Job description

We’re looking for a Software Engineer to join a supportive, multidisciplinary team developing AI/ML systems to solve critical Defence and National Security challenges. In this role, you’ll work alongside talented software engineers, scientists, designers, and product specialists to build elegant, maintainable, and impactful data-centric solutions. You'll join one of our product teams, helping design and deliver AI-powered software to support user adoption and deployment of our product. You’ll work closely within a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality, impactful technology that blends innovation with real-world value.

Mind Foundry is at an exciting stage of growth, with increasing demand for AI-enabled capability across our markets. We specialise in helping customers make sense of the ever-increasing volumes of data collected by sensors, platforms and systems at the speed of relevance. We often find ourselves working at the edge in complex environments where power, compute, and bandwidth are in short supply. As a Software Engineer, you’ll work on problems that are technically challenging, operationally important and genuinely meaningful. You will help turn advanced AI and ML approaches into deployable capability that can support better, faster decision-making in demanding real-world environments. What makes the work distinctive is the combination of technical depth, practical engineering and responsible delivery. This is an opportunity to innovate at the forefront of applied machine learning, tackle high-impact real-world problems, grow your technical skills, and shape the way AI/ML solutions are delivered to critical operational environments.

Because of the nature of this work:

• You will be required to travel to and work from client sites and partner locations. When not working onsite, this role can be office-based or hybrid from our Summertown, Oxford office.
• You will need to hold existing or be eligible for UK Security Vetting (SC), details of which can be found on the Gov UK website.

Key day-to-day activities

• Design, build, and maintain scalable web applications using modern technologies.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineers, designers, and scientists to deliver new product features and client solutions.
• Own technical delivery, managing development tasks from design through to deployment.
• Contribute to architectural decisions that shape the direction of our platforms and consulting projects.
• Champion software quality, implementing best practices for testing, documentation, and CI/CD.
• Participate in Agile development, contributing to sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives.
• Foster continuous learning, knowledge sharing, and technical excellence across the team.

Core Skills & Experience:

• 2+ years of commercial software engineering experience across back-end systems and platform.
• Strong proficiency in Python, APIs, and relational databases.
• Experience developing and maintaining full-stack web applications.
• The ability to work independently and manage workload effectively in a contract-based environment.
• Experience working in an Agile or iterative development process.
• Understanding of DevOps principles, tools, and culture.
• A degree in a technical discipline (e.g., Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics) or equivalent experience.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in cross functional teams.
• Strong familiarity with CI/CD, testing frameworks, and deployment automation.
• Exposure to Machine Learning, AI, or Data Science, especially deploying ML systems in production.

Our Core Technology Stack:

• Frontend: React, TypeScript
• Infrastructure: Kubernetes, Cloud-native environments

Nice to have:

• Knowledge of Kubernetes, Helm and Docker/containerisation concepts, with hands-on experience designing, deploying, and maintaining Kubernetes environments in production.
• Broader software engineering experience such as scripting, UI/UX, design, or data engineering.
• Experience working directly with clients or end users to gather requirements and deliver tailored solutions.
• Experience developing embedded software, FPGA's or C/C++.

While we think the above experience is important, we’re keen to hear from people that believe they have valuable skills, ideas, or perspectives that will make an impact in this role. If our team and mission resonate with you, but you do not necessarily meet all our requirements, we still encourage you to apply.

Why Mind Foundry?

At Mind Foundry, people have the opportunity to work on problems that are technically challenging, operationally important and genuinely meaningful. We are a close-knit, multidisciplinary team working on complex problems where advanced AI has the potential to make a meaningful difference in the real world. Our work sits at the intersection of research, engineering, product, customer need and operational impact, which means everyone can contribute beyond their job title.

What makes Mind Foundry different is the way we combine technical excellence with pragmatism, responsibility and partnership. We are ambitious about what AI can achieve, but thoughtful about how it should be designed, deployed and trusted. Our teams work closely together, challenging ideas constructively, learning quickly and staying focused on building capability that is useful, credible and operationally relevant.

As a growing business, we offer the opportunity to have visible impact. You will be close to the customers, the technology and the decisions that shape our direction. We value people who ask good questions, bring others with them, and take ownership.

This is an exciting time to join Mind Foundry. Demand for trusted, deployable AI capability is increasing, our products and partnerships are maturing, and our work is helping to shape how advanced machine learning can support Defence and National Security in challenging operational environments. If you are motivated by meaningful work, collaborative teams and the chance to help build something with real-world importance, Mind Foundry is a place where you can make a genuine contribution.

What do we offer?

We believe in investing in our people by encouraging career and personal development that aligns with your goals and ambitions. We make sure all staff have the tools, time and support they need to shape their own professional development. We want to help you excel at what you do and support your growth within the company.

You’ll enjoy a competitive compensation package and great benefits such as:

• EMI options scheme
• 25 days of annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Salary Sacrifice Pension scheme
• Private Healthcare (including dental and optical cover)
• Group Life Cover at three times your annual salary
• Enhanced Parental and Sickness Leave
• Workplace Nursery Scheme
• Pet friendly office
• Professional and personal development

Interview Process:

• Initial discussion with the People team
• TestDome coding exercise
• 60 minute interview with two members of the Science & Engineering Team
• 90 minute technical interview, including a 10 minute presentation and live coding exercise
• In person meet the team at our Summertown, Oxford office