Lead Software Engineer
Faculty AI
Lead Software Engineer
Faculty AI
Enterprise AI software and consulting services
We established Faculty in 2014 because we thought that AI would be the most important technology of our time. Since then, we’ve worked with over 350 global customers to transform their performance through human-centric AI. You can read about our real-world impact here.
We don’t chase hype cycles. We innovate, build and deploy responsible AI which moves the needle - and we know a thing or two about doing it well. We bring an unparalleled depth of technical, product and delivery expertise to our clients who span government, finance, retail, energy, life sciences and defence.
Our business, and reputation, is growing fast and we’re always on the lookout for individuals who share our intellectual curiosity and desire to build a positive legacy through technology.
AI is an epoch-defining technology, join a company where you’ll be empowered to envision its most powerful applications, and to make them happen.
Our Defence team is focused on building and embedding human-centered AI solutions which give our nation a competitive edge in the defence sector. We collaborate with our clients to bring ethical, reliable and cutting-edge AI to high-stakes situations and maintain the balance of global powers essential to our liberty.
Because of the nature of the work we do with our Defence clients, you will need to be eligible for UK Security Clearance (SC) and willing to work between 2 to 4 days per week on-site with these customers which may require travel to locations throughout the UK.
When not required on client sites, you’ll have the flexibility to work from our London office or remotely from elsewhere within the UK.
As a Lead Software Engineer, you will spearhead our backend and edge/IoT engineering for high-stakes Defence projects, implementing patterns and practices that are both scalable and future-proof. You will bridge the gap between proof-of-concept and robust systems, raising the engineering bar across your team and the wider business unit.
Acting as both a technical authority and a mentor, you’ll work alongside Machine Learning Engineers and Data Scientists to deliver production-grade solutions that provide immediate value to our customers in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
Leading and mentoring a dedicated squad of engineers to ensure the delivery of high-quality, scalable software.
Designing and building complex components of client deliverables across backend and edge/IoT domains.
Implementing robust CI/CD processes and containerisation strategies using Docker and Kubernetes.
Shipping production-ready code in Python and compiled languages such as Rust, C++, or Go.
Collaborating with cross-functional teams to integrate advanced AI and Machine Learning capabilities into software architectures.
Distilling complex technical concepts into clear, actionable insights for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
You have extensive experience in application development and a deep understanding of modern system architecture and design patterns.
You are proficient in Python and at least one compiled language, with a proven track record of shipping code to paying customers.
You bring a leadership mindset, with the ability to empower engineers and foster a culture of technical excellence.
You possess strong hands-on experience with DevOps tools, including GitLab CI/CD, Docker, and deployment on bare metal or Kubernetes.
You are a compelling communicator who can build trusted relationships with client-side engineers and senior business leaders.
You thrive in ambitious environments and are passionate about solving real-world problems with immediate impact.
Talent Team Screen (30 minutes)
Introduction to the role (45 minutes)
System Design Interview (90 minutes)
Pair Programming Interview (90 minutes)
Commercial & Leadership Interview (60 minutes)
We aim to grow the best team - not the most similar one. We know that diversity of individuals fosters diversity of thought, and that strengthens our principle of seeking truth. And we know from experience that diverse teams deliver better work, relevant to the world in which we live. We’re united by a deep intellectual curiosity and desire to use our abilities for measurable positive impact. We strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, religions and sexual orientations.
If you don’t feel you meet all the requirements, but are excited by the role and know you bring some key strengths, please don't hesitate in applying as you might be right for this role, or other roles. We are open to conversations about part-time hours.
A note on AI: we're happy for you to use it for research and interview prep, but please don't use it to generate answers during live interviews. We also use an AI note-taker (Metaview) in interviews so interviewers can stay present (which you can opt out of just let us know,) and every application is reviewed by a human, never decided by AI.
Enterprise AI software and consulting services
Faculty AI provides AI as a service that combines strategy, software and hands-on delivery to help organizations implement AI solutions across sectors such as government, healthcare, retail and energy. Its Frontier decision intelligence software helps clients simulate and understand cause‑and‑effect relationships, while Faculty supports data work, model development and deployment through consulting and engineering delivery. The company differentiates itself by offering end‑to‑end, enterprise‑scale AI implementations centered on decision intelligence, backed by a track record with high‑profile clients like the NHS, Red Bull, Virgin Media and Moonpig. Its goal is to help organizations become data‑driven by deploying scalable AI systems that improve efficiency, decision accuracy and operational performance, while expanding internationally.
Explore more opportunities at Faculty AI