Lead Software Engineer

🔒 Confidential Employer
Posted 10 January 2026
LOCATION
Stockport
TYPE
Full-time
LEVEL
Mid-Senior level
SALARY
£108,000 / year
CATEGORY
Technology
This employer holds a UK Home Office sponsor license — sponsorship for this specific role is at the employer’s discretion

SKILLS

Python SQL LLM Integration Prompt Engineering RAG Architecture MLOps AWS Azure

FULL DESCRIPTION

Lead Software Engineer in Stockport

Stockport

Full-Time

72000 - 108000 £ / year (est.)

Home office (partial)

Apply now

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.

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 Stockport employer: [Employer hidden — view at passion-project.co.uk]

Join a forward-thinking Alternative Credit Hedge Fund in London, where you will be at the forefront of AI innovation. With a competitive salary, generous benefits, and a culture that promotes flexibility and autonomy, this role offers you the chance to make a direct impact on business decisions while collaborating with a high-calibre team. Embrace the opportunity for professional growth and the freedom to experiment with cutting-edge technology in a supportive environment.

Contact Detail:

[Employer hidden] Recruiting Team

View [Employer hidden] Profile

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 technical discussions.

✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Prepare to discuss specific examples where you've solved real business problems using technology. Highlight any side projects or open-source contributions that demonstrate your ability to apply tech creatively and effectively.

✨Understand the Business Context

Familiarise yourself with the financial services sector, particularly credit markets. Be ready to translate technical solutions into business value, showcasing how your work can drive measurable ROI for the company.

✨Engage with the Team Spirit

Since this role involves collaboration, be prepared to discuss how you’ve led teams or conducted workshops in the past. Show enthusiasm for building AI capabilities and fostering a culture of innovation within the team.

Sign up free — access 45,000+ UK sponsor-licensed jobs