Software Engineer - Modelling

Runna; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 47,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading training platform for runners is seeking a Software Engineer to work on the training engine by creating and adjusting personalized training plans for users. This role involves building new features and collaborating with coaches. Ideal candidates will have experience in Python programming and a background in algorithm development. Join a team committed to innovation and quality in training solutions.

Benefits

Flexible working

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Runna subscriptions for you and friends

Strava membership

Private health insurance

Workplace pension scheme

Mental wellness platform subscription

Yearly voucher for Runna kit

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of experience in software engineering, preferably in a modelling focused position.
• Ability to write production quality code in Python.
• Experience in testing modelling focused software.

Responsibilities

• Work on the training engine, creating personalized training plans.
• Build, test and deliver new features for the training platform.
• Collaborate with coaches to integrate their expertise.

Skills

Proficiency in Python

Designing and implementing algorithms

Quality assurance for software

Excellent communication skills

Analytical and detail-oriented

Education

Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Engineering degree or equivalent practical experience

Tools

CI/CD

Deployment knowledge

Job description

We\'re putting together a talented team to build the #1 training platform for Runners

We help everyday runners become outstanding by building an incredible app providing world-class training, coaching and community for everyone, whether you\'re improving your 5k time or training for your first marathon.

We’re growing extremely fast! In November 2023 we closed a $6.5M funding round led by JamJar with participation from Eka Ventures, Venrex and Creator Ventures. In 2024, we were selected by Apple as one of three global finalists for the 2024 iPhone App of the Year, reflecting the innovation and impact of what we’ve built and now in 2025 we have just been acquired by Strava!

Our ambition is huge: to become the go-to global leading training platform for millions of runners everywhere. We’re growing with purpose and looking for people who want to build something meaningful with lasting impact. With the recent acquisition by Strava accelerating our journey, now is a really magical time to join

The Team You’ll Join

As a cross functional (engineering, product, design, coaching) team of >20, the Train Team work at the heart of Runna’s mission: delivering the best training possible to hundreds of thousands of runners worldwide. From creating and dynamically adjusting optimal, personalised training plans at scale, to analysing performance data to make training adjustment recommendations, to providing insight to users derived from their training and environment - we do it all.

What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll be working on the training engine, creating and dynamically adjusting optimal, personalised training plans for hundreds of thousands of active users. This will include:

• Building, testing and delivering new and improved features (such as Ultra training plans, New To Running plans, adaptions for menstrual cycles, illness, climate… the list goes on!)
• Experimenting to improve the engine with new algorithms, design patterns, optimisations and white box modelling approaches
• Collaborating with coaches to best deliver their expertise to users
• Using a data-led approach to influence algorithms where possible
• Designing and implementing test approaches to ensure consistency and accuracy of plans

What You’ll Bring To The Team:

We encourage applications from individuals with a range of experiences and backgrounds. Even if you don’t meet every qualification listed, we’d love to hear from you and are open to tailoring roles to fit the right candidates. Please apply directly below or contact us for more information and to discuss your fit!

• We’d generally expect ~1-2 years of experience in a software engineering, modelling focussed position for this role, however expect this to vary candidate to candidate!
• Proficiency in Python (object orientated) programming, with experience writing production quality code (ideally in large python projects!)
• Able to design and implement complex algorithms (e.g. how should I schedule exercises in someone’s week), and comfortable with quantitative methods and approaches to solving problems - gained through various experiences or studies (e.g., Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Engineering degree or equivalent practical experience)
• Testing modelling focused software to ensure quality and maintainability
• A pragmatic mindset, with excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Analytical and detail-oriented, with a commitment to producing high-quality work
• Enthusiasm for our ways of working which include
  • Working within a highly-skilled engineering team in a fast-paced, iterative environment
  • Iterative development, continuous deployment and test automation
  • Knowledge sharing, pair programming, collaborative design & development
  • Shared code ownership & cross-functional teams

Bonus Points If You Have:

• Have an understanding of deployment, release cycles or CI/CD
• Have exposure to delivering features end-to-end, from architecture design and building through to releasing, testing and supporting

Salary and Benefits

We\'re offering a salary of £47.5k-£65k per year, depending on experience, plus participation in Strava\'s long-term incentive (stock) programs. Overview of our benefits is below:

Benefits will be synced depending on location and type of role.

We’re also committed to continually evolving our benefits to support you as we grow. Here is a brief overview what we currently offer in the UK

• Flexible working – we typically spend 2–3 days a week together in our Vauxhall office
• 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays (which you can take whenever suits you)
• Runna subscriptions for you and 5 of your friends (get ready to be your friends fave person or save them for xmas presents!)
• Strava membership!
• Headspace membership
• Money every year to spend on gear, events and the gym!
• We\’ll give you a voucher to spend on our website so you can buy yourself new Runna kit (and will renew this every year on your work anniversary)
• Private health insurance with Bupa and workplace pension scheme
• Modern Health a mental wellness platform and app that combines technology with professional support to improve mental well-being and reduce stress
• Carrot fertility support - this benefits provider can provide inclusive fertility, hormonal health, and family-forming benefits to our global employee population and takes the burden off what we know can be a stressful process.

Please see more info on our amazing benefits here: Benefits at Runna

Our Interview Process:

Our aim is to keep the interview process as straightforward and enjoyable as possible, and will consist of the following stages:

1. Introductory chat (25-minute video call)
2. Take Home Technical Task (max 1-2 hours to complete)
3. 1.5 hour technical interview (the first half of the call will be used to discuss the take-home technical task from the previous stage and the second half will be some general architecture/tech questions)
4. Meet the team and in-person chat (in-person chat with founder(s), rest of the team and technical discussion)

Please let us know if there’s anything we can do to better accommodate you throughout the interview process - this can be from scheduling interviews around childcare commitments to accessibility requirements. We want you to show your best self in the process, so please speak to your Talent Partner!

How to Apply:

Please apply through this link (this will take you to our Workable career hub). If you have any questions regarding the status of your application, please email [e-mail]

Still have questions or want to know more? Check out our Careers Page

We’re unfortunately unable to sponsor for this role