Lead Software Engineer

At a Glance

- Tasks: Lead the development of innovative AI solutions and automate workflows using cutting-edge technologies.

- Company: Dynamic alternative credit hedge fund with a focus on AI innovation.

- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension, daily catered lunches, and hybrid work flexibility.

- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping AI strategy in a fast-paced investment environment.

- Qualifications: 8-12 years of experience in Python, SQL, and AI integration.

- Other info: Join a high-calibre team that values technical excellence and creativity.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.

An Alternative Credit Hedge Fund is seeking a hands-on tech leader to join their AI Team and drive the technical development of AI solutions alongside our Head of AI. You would be driving development, building production solutions and engaging with business stakeholders.

If you love solving real business problems with pragmatic technology choices and building fast end-to-end AI solutions that transform how teams work, this role is for you.

What You'll Do

- Technical Delivery (80%)

- Build end-to-end automation workflows using Python, SQL, Streamlit, and FastAPI

- Design and implement LLM-powered applications with foundation model APIs (OpenAI, Anthropic Claude, Gemini)

- Develop complex prompt engineering and agentic workflows

- Build and optimise RAG pipelines using vector databases and embedding models

- Implement MLOps best practices across AWS and Azure cloud platforms

- Leverage agent frameworks (LangChain, LlamaIndex, CrewAI) to orchestrate complex AI workflows

- Develop model fine-tuning, evaluation frameworks, and observability tools

- Business & Leadership (20%)

- Partner with teams to scale AI capabilities and establish best practices

- Translate business problems into technical solutions with measurable ROI

- Lead hands-on training and workshops to drive AI adoption

- Build business cases that prioritise initiatives based on commercial impact

What they're Looking For

- Essential

- 8-12 years of production experience with advanced Python and SQL

- Hands-on experience with LLM integration, prompt engineering, and RAG architecture

- Proven use of AI coding assistants (GitHub Copilot, Claude Code, Cursor) to accelerate development

- Evidence of applying technology beyond your day job – side projects, open source contributions, or building tools that solve real problems

- Someone who naturally gravitates toward using technology to make things better

- Nice to Have

- MSc or PhD in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or related field

- Experience in financial services, particularly credit markets or investment management

- Classical ML/AI capabilities (gradient boosting, time series forecasting, anomaly detection)

What They Offer

- Competitive Package - Base salary, discretionary bonus, generous pension, comprehensive benefits, and daily catered lunches

- True Flexibility - Hybrid working with four weeks "work from anywhere" annually

- Direct Impact - Shape AI strategy at a growing investment firm where your solutions drive real business decisions

- Innovation Freedom - Autonomy to experiment with emerging AI tools, with budget and support to explore what's next

- High-Calibre Team - Work alongside driven professionals who value both technical excellence and commercial pragmatism

Ready to roll up your sleeves and build AI solutions that matter? Apply now.

Lead Software Engineer in Derby employer: [Employer hidden — view at passion-project.co.uk]

Join a forward-thinking Alternative Credit Hedge Fund in London, where you will have the opportunity to lead the development of innovative AI solutions that directly impact business outcomes. With a competitive salary, generous benefits, and a culture that promotes flexibility and autonomy, you will thrive in an environment that values technical excellence and encourages professional growth. Collaborate with a high-calibre team and enjoy the freedom to experiment with cutting-edge technologies while making meaningful contributions to the financial services sector.

Contact Detail:

[Employer hidden] Recruiting Team

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StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Software Engineer in Derby

#### ✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

#### ✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving Python, SQL, and AI solutions. This is your chance to demonstrate how you've tackled real business problems and made an impact.

#### ✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on technical concepts and practicing common questions related to AI and software engineering. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable.

#### ✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!

#### We think you need these skills to ace Lead Software Engineer in Derby

Python

SQL

Streamlit

FastAPI

LLM Integration

Prompt Engineering

RAG Architecture

MLOps

AWS

Azure

LangChain

LlamaIndex

Agent Frameworks

Model Fine-Tuning

Data Science

How to prepare for a job interview at [Employer hidden]

✨Know Your Tech Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in Python, SQL, and the AI tools mentioned in the job description. Brush up on your experience with LLM integration and prompt engineering, as these will likely come up during the interview. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've applied these skills.

✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Prepare examples of how you've tackled real business problems using technology. Think about times when your solutions had measurable ROI and be ready to explain your thought process. This will demonstrate your ability to translate business needs into technical solutions.

✨Engage with Business Stakeholders

Since this role involves partnering with teams, think about how you’ve successfully communicated technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders in the past. Prepare to discuss how you can bridge the gap between tech and business, making it clear that you understand both sides.

✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Qualities

As a Lead Software Engineer, you'll need to show that you can lead hands-on training and workshops. Share experiences where you've taken the initiative to mentor others or lead a project. Highlight your ability to inspire and drive AI adoption within teams.