Lead AI Engineer with Java 17

EPAM Systems; Turkey; On-site; TRY 400,000 - 700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Continuous upskilling

Mentoring programs

Private health insurance

Well-being events

Job summary

EPAM Systems seeks a Lead AI Engineer to drive hands-on technical leadership of a delivery squad, owning architecture and enforcing standards across agile and project delivery modes. You will use AI-assisted coding daily and coach engineers on prompts and skill-file contributions, while shaping specifications and engaging client architects.

You will mentor teams on AI adoption and be prepared to step into full-stack or mobile work as needed to support squad delivery, presenting outcomes to

Qualifications

• 12-15 years of overall engineering experience
• 3+ years leading AI-assisted delivery teams
• Java 17+ and Spring Boot 3.x with microservices
• Frontend development with React, TypeScript and component design
• REST and event-driven APIs, OAuth2 / OIDC, PostgreSQL
• Kafka and IBM MQ
• Service pipelines using GitHub Actions, Docker, Kubernetes / OpenShift
• GitOps practices and automated testing
• Proven ability to mentor teams on AI adoption
• English proficiency at an Upper-Intermediate level (B2) or higher

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on technical leadership of a delivery squad
• Own end-to-end architecture within the squad and lead architecture discussions
• Drive specification quality and enforce engineering standards
• Use AI coding tools daily to generate/refactor/test/review code
• Configure MCP servers and AI/LLM gateway configurations
• Coach engineers on prompts, context management and skill files
• Present progress and AI adoption outcomes to leadership
• Mentor teams on AI adoption and AI-native practices

Skills

AI leadership

Java

Spring Boot

React

TypeScript

REST APIs

OAuth2 / OIDC

PostgreSQL

Kafka

IBM MQ

GitHub Actions

Docker

Kubernetes/OpenShift

GitOps

Automated testing

Agile delivery

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

GitHub Actions

IBM MQ

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.ResponsibilitiesProvide hands-on technical leadership of a delivery squad while actively contributing codeOwn end-to-end architecture within the squad and lead architecture discussions with client architectsDrive specification quality, enforce engineering standards, and remain accountable for delivery quality and governanceUse AI coding tools (such as Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, or Cursor) daily for generating, refactoring, testing, and reviewing code — achieving 60%+ AI-assisted code outputConfigure MCP servers, apply multi-agent patterns, and set up AI/LLM gateways to manage routing, cost, limits, and fallbacksLeverage AI to evaluate agent output quality and continuously improve delivery practicesCoach engineers on prompts, context management, and skill files, and review and approve skill-file contributionsStep into any full-stack or mobile role as required to support squad deliveryPresent progress, architecture, and AI adoption outcomes to senior leadershipMentor teams on AI adoption and promote AI-native ways of working across the delivery organisationRequirements12-15 years of overall engineering experience, including 3+ years leading AI-assisted delivery teamsTrack record of leading delivery in a regulated sector (financial services preferred), with references availableBackground in Java 17+ and Spring Boot 3.x (mandatory) with microservices architectureExpertise in frontend development with React (mandatory), TypeScript, and component designProficiency in responsive UI development and Figma-to-code workflowsSkills in REST and event-driven APIs, OAuth2 / OIDC, and PostgreSQLCompetency in messaging platforms, including Kafka and IBM MQCapability to own service pipelines using GitHub Actions, Docker, and Kubernetes / OpenShiftQualifications in GitOps practices and automated testingShowcase 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 configurationProven ability to mentor teams on AI adoption and work comfortably across both Agile and project modesEnglish proficiency at an Upper-Intermediate level (B2) or higherWe offerCONTINUOUS UPSKILLING, LEARNING & DEVELOPMENTDiversity of tasks and projectsAssessment center for objective review of competency levelPersonal development planMentoring programs and leadership developmentCertification and professional development supportAccess to learning platforms including more than 2,500 internal coursesEnglish courses taught by certified teachersCORPORATE BENEFITSExtra leave daysReferral bonusesCOMPENSATION PACKAGECompetitive compensation paid in USDRegular salary and performance reviewsMEDICAL & HEALTHCAREPrivate health insuranceWell-being eventsWORKING ENVIRONMENTRecreation areas and kitchensTea, coffee and snacksSports equipment and game consolesIT EquipmentMicrosoft’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.