Lead Software Engineer

🔒 Confidential Employer
Posted 10 January 2026
LOCATION
Bristol
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 Bristol

Bristol

Full-Time

72000 - 108000 £ / year (est.)

Home office (partial)

Apply now

Lead Software Engineer in Bristol

Bristol

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.

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 Bristol 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, you'll have the opportunity to make a direct impact on business decisions while collaborating with a high-calibre team. Embrace your passion for technology in an environment that encourages growth, experimentation, and meaningful contributions to the financial 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 Bristol

✨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 your technical knowledge and problem-solving skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with LLM integration and prompt engineering, as well as how you've applied MLOps best practices in past roles.

✨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 Bristol

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. Highlight your experience with Python, SQL, and any AI projects you've led. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!

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:

If you've got side projects or open-source contributions, flaunt them! We love seeing how you apply your tech skills outside of work. It shows initiative and creativity, which we value highly.

Apply Through Our Website:

We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get the attention you deserve. Let's make it happen!

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 to discuss real-world examples where you've solved business problems using technology. Be ready to explain how your solutions had measurable ROI and how they transformed workflows, as this aligns perfectly with what the company is looking for.

✨Engage with Business Stakeholders

Demonstrate your ability to translate technical jargon into business language. Think of examples where you’ve partnered with teams to scale AI capabilities and led training sessions, as this shows your leadership potential and collaborative spirit.

✨Bring Your Side Projects to the Table

If you have any side projects or open-source contributions, be sure to mention them. This not only highlights your passion for technology but also shows that you actively seek to apply your skills beyond your day job, which is a big plus for the role.

[Employer hidden]

Location: Bristol

Apply now

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