Lead AI Engineer with Java 17

EPAM Systems; Turkey; Hybrid; TRY 5,923,000 - 8,885,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private health insurance

Learning & development

Extra leave days

Referral bonuses

Job summary

EPAM Systems in Turkey seeks a Lead AI Engineer who writes code daily, owns architecture, and drives 60%+ AI-assisted output. You will coach engineers, shape specs, and partner with client architects in Agile and project delivery settings.

You will lead architecture discussions, ensure delivery governance, and mentor teams on AI adoption across the delivery organization, with a focus on high standards and impact.

Qualifications

• 12–15 years engineering experience including 3+ years leading AI-assisted delivery teams.
• Track record leading delivery in regulated sectors with references available.
• Expertise in Java 17+ and Spring Boot 3.x with microservices architecture.
• Frontend expertise with React, TypeScript and component design; REST APIs.
• Proficiency with OAuth2/OIDC, PostgreSQL, Kafka and IBM MQ.
• Experience owning CI/CD pipelines with GitHub Actions, Docker and Kubernetes/OpenShift.
• Knowledge of GitOps and automated testing practices.
• Proven ability to mentor teams on AI adoption; comfortable across Agile/project modes.
• English proficiency at least Upper-Intermediate (B2) or higher.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on technical leadership of a delivery squad while coding daily.
• Own end-to-end architecture and lead architecture discussions with client architects.
• Drive quality, governance and engineering standards across the squad.
• Use AI coding tools daily to generate, refactor, test, and review code (60%+ AI output).
• Configure MCP servers, multi-agent patterns, and AI/LLM gateways for routing and cost control.
• Promote AI-native delivery practices and mentor engineers on prompts and skills.
• Step into full-stack or mobile work as needed to support delivery.
• Present progress and AI adoption outcomes to senior leadership.

Skills

AI leadership

Java 17+

Spring Boot 3.x

Microservices

React

TypeScript

REST APIs

OAuth2 / OIDC

PostgreSQL

Kafka

IBM MQ

GitHub Actions

Docker

Kubernetes/OpenShift

GitOps

Automated testing

AI-assisted delivery

Leadership / mentoring

English B2+

Tools

Java

React

GitHub Actions

Docker

Kubernetes

OpenShift

Job description

We are seeking a Lead AI Engineer who is genuinely AI-native and ready to drive hands-on technical leadership of a delivery squad. This is not a role for traditional engineers who have simply layered AI tools on top of old habits — we need a leader who writes code daily, owns architecture, enforces standards, and uses AI-assisted delivery as the core engineering model (targeting 60%+ AI-assisted code output). You will coach engineers, shape specifications, and partner with client architects and leadership across both Agile and project delivery modes.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on technical leadership of a delivery squad while actively contributing code
• Own end-to-end architecture within the squad and lead architecture discussions with client architects
• Drive specification quality, enforce engineering standards, and remain accountable for delivery quality and governance
• Use AI coding tools (such as Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, or Cursor) daily for generating, refactoring, testing, and reviewing code — achieving 60%+ AI-assisted code output
• Configure MCP servers, apply multi-agent patterns, and set up AI/LLM gateways to manage routing, cost, limits, and fallbacks
• Leverage AI to evaluate agent output quality and continuously improve delivery practices
• Coach engineers on prompts, context management, and skill files, and review and approve skill-file contributions
• Step into any full-stack or mobile role as required to support squad delivery
• Present progress, architecture, and AI adoption outcomes to senior leadership
• Mentor teams on AI adoption and promote AI-native ways of working across the delivery organisation

Requirements

• 12-15 years of overall engineering experience, including 3+ years leading AI-assisted delivery teams
• Track record of leading delivery in a regulated sector (financial services preferred), with references available
• Background in Java 17+ and Spring Boot 3.x (mandatory) with microservices architecture
• Expertise in frontend development with React (mandatory), TypeScript, and component design
• Proficiency in responsive UI development and Figma-to-code workflows
• Skills in REST and event-driven APIs, OAuth2 / OIDC, and PostgreSQL
• Competency in messaging platforms, including Kafka and IBM MQ
• Capability to own service pipelines using GitHub Actions, Docker, and Kubernetes / OpenShift
• Qualifications in GitOps practices and automated testing
• Showcase of leading at least one programme where AI-assisted delivery was the primary engineering model (not a pilot)
• Familiarity with MCP server configuration, multi-agent patterns, and AI/LLM gateway configuration
• Proven ability to mentor teams on AI adoption and work comfortably across both Agile and project modes
• English proficiency at an Upper-Intermediate level (B2) or higher

We offer

• CONTINUOUS UPSKILLING, LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT
  • Diversity of tasks and projects
  • Assessment center for objective review of competency level
  • Personal development plan
  • Mentoring programs and leadership development
  • Certification and professional development support
  • Access to learning platforms including more than 2,500 internal courses
  • English courses taught by certified teachers
• CORPORATE BENEFITS
  • Extra leave days
  • Referral bonuses
• COMPENSATION PACKAGE
  • Competitive compensation paid in USD
  • Regular salary and performance reviews
• MEDICAL & HEALTHCARE
  • Private health insurance
  • Well-being events
• WORKING ENVIRONMENT
  • Recreation areas and kitchens
  • Tea, coffee and snacks
  • Sports equipment and game consoles
  • IT Equipment
  • Microsoft’s Software Assurance Home Use Program (HUP)

Please note that our Talent Attraction Team reviews applications and CVs submitted in English.

EPAM is global leader in AI transformation engineering and integrated consulting, serving Forbes Global 2000 companies and ambitious startups. With over thirty years of expertise in custom software, product and platform engineering, we empower our clients to become AI-Native enterprises, driving measurable value from innovation and digital investments.