Staff Backend Engineer - ML Platform

Vayyar; London; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading AI-first company in London is seeking a senior engineer to lead the design of their ML Platform. The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of experience in developing scalable backend systems, preferably in Python, and a proven ability to drive technical strategy. This role offers comprehensive benefits including stock options, medical insurance, and a hybrid work environment.

Benefits

Stock Options

Private Medical Insurance

Life Assurance

Transport Allowance

Wellbeing & Professional Development Allowance

Free on-site lunches

Pension Contributions

25 days holiday

Enhanced Parental Leave

Cycle-to-work Scheme

Frequent social activities

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience developing and scaling production backend systems.
• Experience in leading complex backend or platform projects.
• Strong knowledge of system and API design, observability, and operational best practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and evolution of the ML Platform.
• Architect and implement reliable, scalable, and high-performance services.
• Drive technical strategy and roadmap for the platform.

Skills

Backend system development

Python programming

Cloud-based systems

Distributed systems

Mentoring engineers

Communication skills

API design

Education

B.Sc. in Computer Science or related field

Job description

Who we are

Lightricks, an AI-first company, is revolutionizing how visual content is created. With a mission to bridge the gap between imagination and creation, Lightricks is dedicated to bringing cutting-edge technology to the creative and business spaces.

Our advanced AI photo and video generation models, including our open-source LTXV model, power our apps and platforms including Facetune, Photoleap, Videoleap, and LTX Studio, allowing creators and brands to leverage the latest research breakthroughs, offering endless control over their creative potential. Our influencer marketing platform, Popular Pays, provides creators the ability to monetize their work and offers brands opportunities to scale their content through tailored creator partnerships.

What you will be doing

Our ML Platform team is responsible for building Lightricks’ ML serving platform, which hosts all of the company’s ML and Gen AI models. Our goal is to create streamlined processes to bring functional research code and AI models to production grade systems, where millions of our apps users enjoy this magic.

• Lead the design and evolution of our ML Platform, partnering closely with DevOps, research, and product engineering teams to ensure it meets the current and future needs of Lightricks.
• Architect and implement reliable, scalable, and high-performance services that power the ML and GenAI experiences across our suite of products.
• Drive technical strategy and roadmap for the platform, identifying opportunities for innovation, optimization, and automation.
• Collaborate across teams to define platform capabilities and influence infrastructure direction based on product and organizational goals.
• Mentor and guide engineers in the team, promoting a culture of technical excellence through code reviews, design discussions, and knowledge sharing.
• Serve as a key technical leader in cross-functional initiatives, helping align teams on architecture, best practices, and long-term vision.

Your skills and experience

• 8+ years of experience developing and scaling production backend systems, primarily in Python (preferred) or another modern language (e.g., Golang, Java, C++, C#).
• Proven track record of leading complex backend or platform projects from design through production.
• Deep experience building, deploying, and maintaining cloud-based systems with strong understanding of distributed system principles.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate and influence cross-functional initiatives.
• Experience in mentoring engineers, driving technical direction, and promoting engineering excellence.
• Strong knowledge of system and API design, observability, and operational best practices.
• B.Sc. in Computer Science or related quantitative field.
• Experience with ML model serving and working with GPUs is a strong plus.

Benefits

• Stock Options.
• Private Medical Insurance (Optical & Dental cover) including your loved ones.
• Life Assurance.
• £3,000p/a Transport Allowance.
• £750p/a allowance for Wellbeing & Professional Development.
• Free on-site lunches, coffee, breakfast & snacks.
• Pension Contributions (7%).
• Holiday (25 days).
• Seasonal & Anniversary Vouchers.
• Hybrid & Flexible working.
• Cool office space in central London.
• Enhanced Parental Leave.
• Cycle-to-work Scheme.
• Season Ticket Loan.
• Volunteering Opportunities.
• Frequent social activities - away-days, happy hours, team building, yoga, creative workshops.

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