Staff Research Engineer

GitHub; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the GitHub Next team as a Staff Research Engineer to develop groundbreaking developer tools like GitHub Copilot. This role emphasizes rapid prototyping and experimentation in a remote-first culture where diverse and inclusive teamwork is key. Candidates should possess substantial software development experience, particularly in frontend technologies like React and TypeScript, ensuring impactful contributions in shaping the future of software development.

Benefits

Startup agility

Diverse and inclusive team

Remote-first culture

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in software development, machine learning, or related fields.
• Strong frontend development skills.
• Proven ability to prototype quickly and communicate ideas.

Responsibilities

• Design and build rapid prototypes to test new ideas and user experiences.
• Work in small, cross-functional squads to explore new developer tools.
• Tackle complex UX challenges with limited prior solutions.
• Collaborate with engineers, designers, and product thinkers across GitHub.

Skills

Frontend development

Prototyping

Machine learning

React

TypeScript

Svelte

Job description

GitHub – Staff Research Engineer (Remote, UK)

Role Overview:

• Join the GitHub Next team, creators of GitHub Copilot and other groundbreaking developer tools.
• Focus on building working prototypes that explore the future of software development.
• Not an academic role—emphasis on execution, experimentation, and iteration.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and build rapid prototypes to test new ideas and user experiences.
• Work in small, cross-functional squads to explore new developer tools.
• Tackle complex UX challenges with limited prior solutions.
• Collaborate with engineers, designers, and product thinkers across GitHub.

Required Qualifications:

• 6+ years of experience in software development, machine learning, or related fields (or equivalent education/experience).
• Strong frontend development skills (e.g., React, TypeScript, Svelte).
• Proven ability to prototype quickly and communicate ideas clearly.
• Comfortable working in ambiguous, fast-moving environments.

Preferred Experience:

• Knowledge of LLMs, machine learning, or backend systems.
• Experience with open-source, DevOps, or production-scale software.
• Familiarity with GitHub’s ecosystem and developer workflows.

Why Join:

• Startup agility + GitHub resources.
• Shape the next generation of developer tools.
• Remote-first culture, diverse and inclusive team.

Software Engineer II, Copilot Client Platform