Senior Software Engineer - QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey

McKinsey; Lisboa; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

World‑class benefits

Global community with 65+ countries

Job summary

McKinsey’s QuantumBlack team in Lisbon/Madrid seeks a technology leader to drive architecture, guide Agile engineering practices, and co‑create innovative products with clients across industries.

You will lead project workstreams, shape technical strategy, and mentor diverse teams while delivering high‑impact, user‑centric software solutions within a collaborative, growth‑oriented environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD in CS, ML, applied statistics, mathematics, engineering, or AI.
• 7+ years in software development with full‑stack web experience.
• Experience collaborating with technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Hands-on across frontend (TypeScript, React, Angular, Vue, Next.js, Tailwind) and backend (Python, Node.js, Java/Spring, C#/.NET) with SQL/NoSQL databases.
• Experience with LLM frameworks, orchestration, MCPS, cloud platforms (Azure/AWS/GCP), Docker and CI/CD.
• Strong focus on automated testing, logging, monitoring, and overall reliability.
• Experience coaching engineering best practices and agile mindsets.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture design and key technology decisions across projects.
• Drive architectural decisions and build scalable solutions using Agile practices.
• Mentor client teams to adopt engineering excellence and best practices.
• Shape technical strategies and ensure delivery of user‑centric solutions.
• Collaborate with client leadership to scale engineering cultures and digital strategies.

Skills

Architectural design

Agile leadership

Mentoring

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD in CS/ML/Math/Engineering/AI

Tools

TypeScript

React

Angular

Vue

Next.js

Tailwind

Python

Node.js

Java/Spring

C#/.NET

SQL

NoSQL

Vector databases

ETL

Docker

CI/CD

Azure

AWS

GCP

LLM frameworks

Job description

Do you want to do work that matters, alongside supportive leaders who will help you grow faster than you ever thought possible? Are you a creative problem-solver who is energized by challenges? You’ve come to the right place.

YOUR IMPACT

You will lead architecture design, drive technology decisions, and co-create innovative products while mentoring clients to adopt Agile practices and engineering excellence. Your role offers hands‑on collaboration, diverse industry exposure, and opportunities to shape solutions and grow as a technology leader. You will lead project workstreams, drive architectural decisions, and build scalable solutions using Agile methodologies.Working closely with client teams, you will co-create products, foster a culture of engineering excellence, and mentor teams in best practices. Your responsibilities will include shaping technical strategies, making key technology decisions, and ensuring the delivery of impactful, user‑centric solutions. Your work will have a lasting impact beyond the products you build.By collaborating with client leadership, you will influence their digital strategies, help scale their engineering cultures, and enable them to achieve sustainable growth. Each project will expose you to diverse industries and technologies, providing opportunities to learn and grow while shaping the future of technology. You will design and deliver next‑generation products that transform businesses across industries.You will be based in Madrid or Lisbon and will be part of QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey, a multidisciplinary group of software engineers, AI engineers, data scientists, and technology consultant passionate about creating industry‑shaping products and tools. Your role offers unparalleled opportunities for growth and innovation.At McKinsey, you’ll have a seat at the table with client leaders, the chance to shape product strategies, and the freedom to explore areas of personal interest. Supported by a collaborative and innovative team, you’ll make a lasting impact on clients, industries, and the future of technology.

YOUR GROWTH

Driving lasting impact and building long‑term capabilities with our clients is not easy work. You are the kind of person who thrives in a high performance/high reward culture - doing hard things, picking yourself up when you stumble, and having the resilience to try another way forward. In return for your drive, determination, and curiosity, we'll provide the resources, mentorship, and opportunities you need to become a stronger leader faster than you ever thought possible. Your colleagues—at all levels—will invest deeply in your development, just as much as they invest in delivering exceptional results for clients. Every day, you'll receive apprenticeship, coaching, and exposure that will accelerate your growth in ways you won’t find anywhere else. When you join us, you will have:

• Continuous learning:Our learning and apprenticeship culture, backed by structured programs, is all about helping you grow while creating an environment where feedback is clear, actionable, and focused on your development. The real magic happens when you take the input from others to heart and embrace the fast‑paced learning experience, owning your journey.
• A voice that matters:From day one, we value your ideas and contributions. You’ll make a tangible impact by offering innovative ideas and practical solutions, all while upholding our unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity. We not only encourage diverse perspectives, but they are critical in driving us toward the best possible outcomes.
• Global community:With colleagues across 65+ countries and over 100 different nationalities, our firm’s diversity fuels creativity and helps us come up with the best solutions for our clients. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from exceptional colleagues with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• World‑class benefits:On top of a competitive salary (based on your location, experience, and skills), we provide a comprehensive benefits package to enable holistic well‑being for you and your family.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Bachelors, Master’s or PhD level degree in a discipline such as: computer science, machine learning, applied statistics, mathematics, engineering or artificial intelligence
• 7+ years of experience in software development, with significant full‑stack web application development experience strongly preferred
• Experience working collaboratively with technical and non-technical team members and stakeholders
• Hands‑on experience and willingness to learn across frontend (TypeScript, React, Angular, Vue, Next.js, Tailwind), backend (Python, Node.js, Java/Spring, C#/.NET), and databases (SQL, NoSQL, vector databases, ETL)
• Experience with LLM frameworks, prompt orchestration, agent frameworks, MCPs, evaluation frameworks, and cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP), including Docker and CI/CD
• Strong focus on automated testing, logging, monitoring, and overall system reliability
• Experience modeling and coaching others to use engineering best practices such as design patterns, customer‑centric design, test‑driven development, code refactoring, code review, and OWASP Top 10 security awareness
• Experience leading in Agile teams, including coaching and modeling Agile mindsets as part of sprint ceremonies, work definition and building developer capabilities
• Exceptional time management to meet your responsibilities in a complex and largely autonomous work environment
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, in English and Spanish (requirement for Madrid location), with the ability to adjust your style to suit different perspectives and seniority levels

FOR U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

FOR NON-U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity employer. For additional details regarding our global EEO policy and diversity initiatives, please visit our McKinsey Careers and Diversity & Inclusion sites.