Software Engineering Team Lead (GenAI)

Elsevier; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday allowance

Health screening and private medical benefits

Competitive contributory pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Extensive learning and development resources

Job summary

A leading information and analytics company is seeking a Software Engineering Lead to provide technical leadership in AI services design and delivery. This role is essential for mentoring developers, ensuring scalable and reliable solutions, and fostering best engineering practices. You will work closely with cross-functional teams and must possess strong expertise in Python, Kubernetes, and Agile methodologies. A competitive benefits package is available, promoting a healthy work/life balance.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of software engineering experience.
• Experience serving as a technical lead for complex backend or platform systems.
• Strong proficiency in Python and familiarity with Java.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical design and implementation of shared AI services.
• Drive delivery of platform initiatives ensuring scalability and security.
• Mentor engineers through pairing and coaching.

Skills

Technical leadership

Software engineering

Python

Kubernetes

Agile methodologies

Strong communication

Tools

Kubernetes (EKS)

Java

AI frameworks (LangChain)

Job description

Software Engineering Lead – Search & AI Platform (Hybrid)

mOur AI Platform team builds shared capabilities that power more than 13 products across the company. We enable teams to safely, reliably, and efficiently integrate generative AI into their workflows without rebuilding core infrastructure. We focus on reusable services, developer tooling, and platform components that support scalability, security, and strong observability

About the Role

leWe are looking for a Software Engineering Lead to provide hands-on technical leadership for the AI Platform. You will guide the design and delivery of shared AI services, mentor engineers, and collaborate with product, research, and engineering teams. This is a highly impactful role with ownership of technical direction and platform outcome

• iesLead technical design and implementation of shared AI services and componen
• ts.Drive the delivery of platform initiatives, ensuring solutions are scalable, reliable, secure, and maintainab
• le.Design, build, and maintain backend services and APIs, primarily in Python (with some Jav
• a).Translate architecture into clear implementation plans and iterative delivery approach
• es.Partner with cross-functional teams to turn AI prototypes into production-ready capabiliti
• es.Promote engineering best practices, including code quality, testing, CI/CD, and observabili
• ty.Provide constructive design and code revie
• ws.Mentor and support engineers through pairing, coaching, and feedba
• ck.Contribute to deployment and operational stability of AI services in a Kubernetes (EKS) environme
• nt.Identify and address technical risks, dependencies, and bottlenec
• ks.Ensure smooth integration of AI Platform services across the broader product ecosyst

Required Experience

• ience7+ years of software engineering experie
• nce.Experience serving as a technical lead for complex backend or platform syst
• ems.Strong proficiency in Python; familiarity with J
• ava.Solid backend fundamentals: API design, data modelling, distributed systems, and concurre
• ncy.Experience building or integrating AI/LLM-powered systems and working with modern AI frameworks (e.g., LangChain, LangGra
• ph).Hands-on experience with Kubernetes (EKS) and cloud-native developm
• ent.Ability to balance hands-on coding with technical leaders
• hip.Experience working in Agile or Kanban environme
• nts.Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical decisions to diverse audie
• nces

Benefits

• Work in a way that works for you:We promote a healthy work/life balance across the organisation. 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 g
• oals.Working for
• you:We know that your wellbeing and happiness are key to a long and successful career. These are some of the benefits we are delighted to o
• ffer:Generous holiday allowance with the option to buy additional
• daysHealth screening, eye care vouchers and private medical ben
• gramsLife assu
• ranceAccess to a competitive contributory pension s
• chemeSave As You Earn share option s
• chemeTravel Season ticket
• loanElectric Vehicle S
• ranceMaternity, paternity and shared parental
• leaveEmployee Assistance Prog
• rammeAccess to emergency care for both the elderly and chi
• ldrenRECARES days, giving you time to support the charities and causes that matter t
• o youAccess to employee resource groups with dedicated time to volu
• nteerAccess to extensive learning and development reso
• urcesAccess to employee discounts scheme via Perks at

Work

Business: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. What you do every day will help advance science and healthcare to advance human pr

Progress

We know your well-being and happiness are key to a long and successful career. We are delighted to offer country specific benefits. Click here to access benefits specific to your loc