Lead Software Engineer

🔒 Confidential Employer
Posted 10 January 2026
LOCATION
Reading
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 Reading

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Lead Software Engineer in Reading

Reading

Full-Time

72000 - 108000 £ / year (est.)

Home office (partial)

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At a Glance

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

Company: Dynamic hedge fund focused on alternative credit with a strong emphasis on AI.

Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, generous pension, comprehensive benefits, and catered lunches.

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; passion for tech innovation.

Other info: Enjoy hybrid work flexibility and the freedom to explore emerging AI tools.

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 Reading 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 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 AI tools, making this an exceptional place for those looking to make a meaningful contribution in 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 Reading

✨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. Don’t forget to highlight your experience with LLM integration and MLOps best practices – these are hot topics right now!

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and making an impact in the AI space.

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

Python

SQL

Streamlit

FastAPI

LLM Integration

Prompt Engineering

RAG Architecture

MLOps

AWS

Azure

LangChain

LlamaIndex

Agent Frameworks

Model Fine-Tuning

Data Science

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Skills:

Make sure to highlight your experience with Python, SQL, and LLM integration in your application. We want to see how you've tackled real-world problems using these technologies, so don’t hold back!

Tailor Your Application:

Take a moment to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. We love seeing candidates who can connect their past experiences to the specific challenges we face in AI solutions. It shows us you’re genuinely interested!

Be Yourself:

Let your personality shine through in your written application. We’re looking for someone who’s not just technically skilled but also passionate about using technology to make things better. Share your side projects or any cool tools you’ve built!

Apply Through Our Website:

We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about us and what we do!

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 can communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Prepare to discuss how you've led training sessions or workshops in the past to drive adoption of AI solutions.

✨Be Ready to Discuss Your Side Projects

If you have any side projects, open-source contributions, or tools you've built, be sure to mention them. This shows your passion for technology and your initiative to go beyond your day job. It’s a great way to highlight your hands-on experience and creativity.

[Employer hidden]

Location: Reading

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