Full-Time

Principal Software Engineer

AI Innovation

Pearson

Pearson

1-10 employees

Global education publisher providing digital courseware

No salary listed

London, UK

In Person

Category
Software Engineering
Required Skills
Machine Learning
DevOps

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Requirements
  • Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Automated AI (AutoAI), AI Agents (Advanced): Architect and deliver innovative AI solutions.
  • Full-Stack Engineering, Modern Development Tools (Advanced): Build and prototype end-to-end across frontend, backend, and infrastructure.
  • Cloud Computing, API Management, DevOps, Data Security, Information Security (Advanced): Lead technical execution and ensure compliance.
  • Collaboration, Innovation, Cross-Functional Working, Technical Acumen, Problem Solving (Advanced): Influence across teams and partners, shape ideas, and drive differentiated solutions.
  • Comfort with Ambiguity, Builder Mindset (Advanced): Operate effectively in undefined, fast-moving, early-stage environments.
  • Learning to Learn, Adaptability, Ethical Responsibility (Effective–Advanced): Embrace new technologies and maintain high ethical standards.
  • Extensive experience in software engineering and AI innovation, with a broad full-stack skillset.
  • Proven track record of working on early-stage or 0→1 products, shaping direction rather than only executing defined requirements.
  • Demonstrated ability to thrive in ambiguity and collaborate cross-functionally with UX, Product, and external partners.
  • Proven track record in partner co-development and technical delivery.
  • Deep expertise in software architecture, cloud, and emerging AI technologies.
  • A career history showing adaptability across products or problem spaces.
Responsibilities
  • Partner with internal and external stakeholders to identify, assess, and co-develop AI-driven innovation opportunities.
  • Shape and prototype early-stage ideas, taking undefined problems and helping define what gets built.
  • Lead technical feasibility reviews and shape architecture for enterprise-scale AI initiatives.
  • Decide how projects are executed — whether built internally, handed off to partners, or scaled through dedicated delivery teams — and drive that execution.
  • Build and prototype across the full stack, using modern tools and infrastructure.
  • Guide multiple engineering squads, ensuring execution of the co-innovation strategy and measurable business impact.
  • Collaborate closely with UX and Product to deliver differentiated, cross-functional solutions.

Pearson is a global education company that provides a wide range of learning materials and services. It offers textbooks, digital courseware, online learning platforms, and a rich set of teaching and learning resources for primary and secondary schools, higher education, vocational training, and English language learning. Its products work through multiple channels: physical textbooks and digital courseware, subscription-based online platforms, and customized learning solutions for institutions, along with training and certification programs. Pearson differentiates itself with a large, multi-market footprint, multiple revenue streams, and a focus on combining print and digital resources with analytics and educator support to serve learners from early education through adulthood. Its goal is to make learning more accessible and effective, helping students, teachers, and institutions achieve their academic and professional goals.

Company Size

1-10

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

London, United Kingdom

Founded

1844

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • On July 31, 2026, Pearson raised first-half underlying revenue 4% and operating profit 14%.
  • Virtual Learning revenue jumped 19%, driven by 15% spring enrollment growth.
  • U.S. higher-education demand for Pearson AI study tools strengthened in 2026.

What critics are saying

  • Pearson Test of English revenue fell 3% in H1 2026 amid tighter migration policies.
  • The August 21, 2026 EEOC settlement exposes accessibility failures inside Pearson's employee systems.
  • If PTE keeps shrinking and U.S. courseware weakens, Pearson loses a growth engine.

What makes Pearson unique

  • Pearson embeds AI study tools inside MyLab, Mastering, Pearson eText, and Pearson+.
  • Its 170-plus AI Literacy Modules bundle content, practice, and ethical AI instruction.
  • Pearson spans assessments, courseware, and virtual learning across schools, universities, and employers.

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Benefits

Flexible Work Hours

Remote Work Options

Professional Development Budget

Company News

PREEMPT
Aug 21st, 2026
Pearson Education to pay $150,000 in EEOC disability discrimination suit.

Pearson Education to pay $150,000 in EEOC disability discrimination suit. NEWARK, N.J. - Educational publishing company Pearson Education, Inc. will pay $150,000 and provide other injunctive relief to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today.

Office for Students
Aug 17th, 2026
British Academy of Jewellery to close its higher education courses.

British Academy of Jewellery to close its higher education courses. Students at British Academy of Jewellery (BAJ) in London and its campuses in Birmingham, Leicester and Sheffield have been told their higher education courses will be closed from today. BAJ is registered with the Office for Students. It delivers courses in partnership with Kingston University and Pearson. Up to 220 current higher education students are affected. They are primarily registered on undergraduate and postgraduate face-to-face and online courses in jewellery and business and management. Deonne Rowland, Deputy Director of Financial Sustainability at the Office for Students, said: 'This will be really difficult news for students at the British Academy of Jewellery. Its priority is to make sure their interests are safeguarded and that they understand their options. 'The British Academy of Jewellery has partnership arrangements with Kingston University and Pearson, which validate and award the academy's courses and have committed to supporting their students through this challenging time. 'We have been working closely with the academy and its partners to ensure students have the information, advice, and guidance they need to continue their studies with an alternative higher education provider.'

Yahoo Finance
Aug 1st, 2026
Pearson H1 profit climbs 14% to $350.5M as virtual learning surges 19%

Pearson reported strong first-half results, with underlying revenue up 4%, adjusted operating profit rising 14% to £276 million, and adjusted earnings per share increasing 19% to £0.289. The education company maintained its full-year guidance for mid-single-digit revenue growth and adjusted operating profit of £640 million to £685 million. Virtual Learning drove growth with revenue jumping 19%, whilst Enterprise Learning & Skills rose 7%, supported by enrolment momentum and AI-upskilling programmes. However, English Language Learning revenue fell 3% as demand for the Pearson Test of English weakened amid softer study-abroad demand and tighter migration policies. Free cash flow increased £103 million year-on-year to £259 million, benefiting from improved working-capital management.

London South East
Jul 31st, 2026
Pearson on track for growth as virtual learning demand soars.

Pearson on track for growth as virtual learning demand soars. Fri, 31st Jul 2026 08:00 LONDON, July 31 (Reuters) - British education company Pearson said on Friday it was on track to meet 2026 guidance, helped by strong growth in its virtual learning division, and as demand rises for its AI study tools in U.S. higher education. For the first-half, Pearson posted underlying group revenue up 4% to £1.78 billion ($2.39 billion), and group adjusted operating profit up 14% to £276 million after last year's outcome was impacted by an impairment charge. "We have delivered a good first-half performance and executed well against our strategy, with a focus on driving operational improvements while innovating to build learning and assessment experiences," CEO Omar Abbosh said. Pearson's 2026 guidance is for mid-single digit underlying revenue growth and adjusted operating profit of £640 million to £685 million. The company said its virtual learning division, which provides online teaching services and technology, grew revenue 19% in the first six months of the year, while its assessment and qualifications units performed well and demand for U.S. courseware was solid. Shares in this article. 1,269.00 -1.82%

London South East
Jul 31st, 2026
Pearson reiterates 2026 guidance, helped by virtual learning growth.

Pearson reiterates 2026 guidance, helped by virtual learning growth. Fri, 31st Jul 2026 07:16 LONDON, July 31 (Reuters) - British education company Pearson said on Friday it was on track to meet 2026 guidance, helped by growth in its virtual learning division which provides online teaching services and technology. For the first-half, Pearson posted underlying group revenue up 4% to £1.78 billion ($2.39 billion), and group adjusted operating profit up 14% to £276 million. ($1 = 0.7436 pounds) (Reporting by Sarah Young, Editing by Paul Sandle) Shares in this article. 1,249.00 -3.37%