Lead Software Engineer

🔒 Confidential Employer
Posted 10 January 2026
LOCATION
Stevenage
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 Stevenage

Full-Time

72000 - 108000 £ / year (est.)

Lead Software Engineer in Stevenage

Stevenage

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, bonuses, flexible working, and daily catered lunches.

Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping AI strategy in a growing investment firm.

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 Stevenage 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 innovative AI solutions that directly impact business decisions. With a competitive salary, generous benefits, and a culture that promotes flexibility and autonomy, you'll thrive in an environment that values technical excellence and encourages professional growth. Collaborate with a high-calibre team of professionals who are passionate about leveraging technology to solve real-world problems and drive meaningful change.

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 Stevenage

✨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 your hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities to potential employers.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on technical concepts and practising common interview questions. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with the process.

✨Tip Number 4

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

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

Python

SQL

Streamlit

FastAPI

LLM Integration

Prompt Engineering

RAG Architecture

MLOps

AWS

Azure

LangChain

LlamaIndex

CrewAI

Model Fine-Tuning

Data Science

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:

Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Lead Software Engineer role. Highlight your hands-on experience with Python, SQL, and LLM integration, as these are key to what we’re looking for.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:

Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about AI solutions and how your background aligns with our mission. Share specific examples of how you've solved real business problems using technology.

Showcase Your Projects:

Don’t forget to include any side projects or open-source contributions that demonstrate your tech skills. We love seeing how you apply your knowledge beyond your day job, especially in AI and automation.

Apply Through Our Website:

For the best chance of getting noticed, make sure to apply directly through our website. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures it reaches the right people quickly!

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. Think about how you’ve built end-to-end solutions or optimised workflows, and be ready to explain the impact of your work.

✨Engage with Business Stakeholders

Since this role involves translating business problems into technical solutions, practice articulating how you would communicate complex tech concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Highlight any past experiences where you’ve successfully partnered with teams.

✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Qualities

Be prepared to talk about your leadership style and how you’ve led training sessions or workshops in the past. Show that you can inspire others to adopt AI solutions and drive change within an organisation.

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