Lead Software Engineer

🔒 Confidential Employer
Posted 10 January 2026
LOCATION
Edinburgh
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 Edinburgh

Edinburgh

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; passion for tech-driven solutions.

- Other info: Join a high-calibre team that values innovation and offers autonomy to explore new AI tools.

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 Edinburgh 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

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StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

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

#### ✨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 real-world applications. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges in past projects, particularly around LLM integration and prompt engineering. We want to see your thought process!

#### ✨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, 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 Edinburgh

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 🫡

Tailor Your CV:

Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Lead Software Engineer. Highlight your experience with Python, SQL, and any AI projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:

Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for AI and how you’ve solved real business problems in the past. Let us know why you’re excited about this opportunity at StudySmarter.

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:

We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!

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 specific 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 examples of how you've tackled real business problems using technology. Be ready to discuss your side projects or open-source contributions that demonstrate your ability to apply tech creatively and effectively.

✨Understand the Business Impact

Be prepared to translate technical solutions into business value. Think about how your past work has led to measurable ROI and be ready to discuss how you can do the same for them.

✨Engage with the Team Spirit

Since this role involves collaboration, show your enthusiasm for working with others. Prepare to discuss how you’ve led training sessions or workshops in the past, and how you plan to drive AI adoption within their teams.

Lead Software Engineer in Edinburgh

[Employer hidden]

Location: Edinburgh

Apply now

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