AI Software Architect

Hadfield Green; Leinster; On-site; EUR 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Hadfield Green is seeking a very senior Software Engineer/Architect for AI-enabled software development. The role focuses on building software with AI, leveraging agents like Claude Code and GitHub Copilot to accelerate delivery.

You will shape AI's role across the SDLC and drive architectural decisions. The ideal candidate has 10–15+ years of hands-on software engineering, strong architectural judgement, and a builder mentality, with prior senior-level experience and a track record of

Qualifications

• Very senior software engineer/architect with 10–15+ years of experience.
• Experience operating at Principal Engineer, Software Architect, Technical Architect or similar level.
• Strong understanding of modern software development & the full SDLC.
• Hands-on with AI coding agents and tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Claude Code).
• AI must be integrated into the software engineering workflow, not just studied.

Responsibilities

• Build and evolve software with AI tools embedded throughout the development lifecycle.
• Utilize AI coding agents to accelerate development.
• Use AI to explore architecture, solve problems, debug and handle unfamiliar codebases.
• Apply AI throughout the SDLC, not as a standalone tech.
• Continue hands-on coding while shaping how AI can improve productivity.
• Critically assess AI-generated output and own production-ready quality.
• Act as a senior technical contributor with architectural judgement on complex software problems.

Skills

Senior hands-on engineer

Architectural thinking

SDLC understanding

AI integration mindset

Code quality ownership

Hands-on with AI-assisted development

Senior leadership

Tools

GitHub Copilot

Claude Code

Job description

AI Software Architect | AI-Native Software Development

12 month rolling contract

We’re working with a well-established organisation to hire a very senior Software Engineer / Architect for a role focused on the next generation of AI-enabled software development.

This isn’t a traditional AI/ML role.

You won’t be building AI products – you’ll be building software using AI.

We’re looking for someone with a strong software engineering background who is already using AI coding agents and assistants as a meaningful part of how they design, develop, test and deliver software.

What you'll do

• Build and evolve software with AI tools embedded throughout the development lifecycle.
• Use AI coding agents such as Claude Code, GitHub Copilot or similar to accelerate development.
• Use AI to explore architecture, solve problems, debug and work across unfamiliar codebases.
• Apply AI throughout the SDLC, rather than treating it as a standalone technology.
• Continue to work hands-on with software while helping shape how AI can improve engineering productivity.
• Challenge and critically assess AI-generated output, taking ownership of the quality of what reaches production.
• Work as a senior technical contributor, bringing strong engineering judgement and architectural thinking to complex software problems.

What we're looking for

• 10–15+ years of software engineering experience with a strong hands-on development background.
• Experience operating at Principal Engineer, Software Architect, Technical Architect, Chief Architect or similar level.
• Strong understanding of modern software development and the full SDLC.
• Hands-on experience using AI coding agents, GitHub Copilot, Claude Code or similar tools.
• Evidence that AI is genuinely integrated into your software engineering workflow, rather than simply being an area of interest.
• Strong technical and architectural judgement, with the ability to assess and challenge AI-generated solutions.
• A builder mentality – someone who is still close to the code and enjoys figuring out how technology can be used to build better software.
• Previous industry experience is preferred over a purely consulting-based background.

What this role isn't

This isn't about building LLMs, developing machine learning models or creating AI products.

The focus is AI-powered software development – using the latest AI tools to build features, solve engineering problems and make the software development lifecycle faster and more effective.

Why this role?

AI is changing the way software gets built.

The organisation is looking for someone who is already experimenting with that change – someone who can talk about how they actually use AI agents in their day-to-day engineering work, not just someone who has AI on their CV.

If you're a senior software engineer or architect who is deeply hands-on with AI-assisted development and interested in helping shape what modern software engineering looks like, we'd like to talk.

At Hadfield Green, we are an equal opportunities employer and actively welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

We’re not a one-size-fits-all type of organisation, so if you need an accommodation or adjustment in advance of meeting due to a disability or impairment, just let us know and we’d be delighted to assist.