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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of AI solutions and mentor software engineers.
- Company: Join Virgin Atlantic, a pioneering travel company focused on innovation and customer experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, a collaborative culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI technology in a dynamic environment that values creativity and teamwork.
- Qualifications: Experience in software development, particularly with AI, Python, and JavaScript is essential.
- Other info: We celebrate diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.
Hours: Fulltime, 37.5 per week, Monday – Friday.
Location: Hybrid remote working, with 3 days a week in our VHQ, Crawley based on operational requirements.
Contract: Permanent.
Closing Date: 20th June 2025
In a nutshell
At Virgin Atlantic Airways, we believe that everyone can take on the world, and it's our vision to become the most loved travel company. As we embark on this next exciting stage of our journey, we're harnessing our spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation to challenge the status quo. As the Lead Software Developer - AI, you will play a critical role in designing, implementing, and leading the development of AI-powered solutions that drive the next generation of digital products. You will work closely with the Senior Manager of Software Engineering - AI to develop, test, and deploy scalable, secure, and observable AI solutions, directly contributing to the company’s CX vision. In addition to hands-on development, you will provide leadership to other software engineers through code reviews, setting coding standards, and guiding solution architecture. Your expertise in programming languages like Python and JavaScript, alongside experience with AI prototypes using platforms such as OpenAI and Databricks, will be essential. With strong problem-solving skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks, you’ll take ownership of AI projects from concept to delivery. As a technical leader, you’ll also ensure adherence to best practices and promote a collaborative, innovative development environment.
Day to day
- Lead the development and implementation of AI models and solutions in alignment with product and business needs.
- Ensure AI technologies are scalable, robust, and secure, supporting the long-term goals of the organisation.
- Build and test AI prototypes on platforms such as OpenAI and Anthropic to explore new opportunities and product features.
- Apply expertise in multi-agent architectures and model evaluation to improve the effectiveness of AI models.
- Provide leadership to other software developers through code reviews, setting coding standards, and maintaining high-quality software development practices.
- Mentor software engineers and guide them through technical challenges, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of AI into digital products, enhancing customer experiences.
- Design and guide solutions architecture for AI-driven applications, ensuring scalability, security, and performance.
- Work closely with the Senior Manager Software Engineering - AI to align technical direction with business strategy and product goals.
- Take full ownership of AI projects, working across multiple tasks while ensuring high standards of delivery.
- Be proactive in identifying new opportunities to leverage AI for business and customer value.
About you
- Proven experience in software development, with a focus on AI or machine learning projects.
- Proficient in Python and JavaScript, with hands-on experience in AI development, including building prototypes using platforms like OpenAI and Anthropic.
- Strong understanding of AI technologies, including Generative AI, multi-agent architectures, model evaluation, and natural language processing.
- Experience leading other developers in code reviews, setting coding standards, and ensuring quality software development practices.
- Ability to design and guide solutions architecture for scalable, secure, and robust AI-driven applications.
- Experience in collaborating with product teams to integrate AI solutions into digital experiences.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical details to non-technical stakeholders and guide junior engineers.
- A passion for working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, with a proactive approach to problem-solving and learning.
Our recipe for leadership
At Virgin Atlantic, our leaders empower teams to thrive through collaboration, innovation, and excellence. Explore our Leadership Recipe and discover the 20 core ingredients that define what it means to lead with us, driving our mission to be the most loved travel company and achieve sustainable profit.
Be yourself
Our customers come from all walks of life and so do our colleagues. That’s why we’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from all backgrounds. At Virgin Atlantic, we believe everyone can take on the world - no matter your age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs. We celebrate difference and everything that makes our colleagues unique by upholding an inclusive environment in which we can all thrive. So that everyone at Virgin Atlantic can be themselves and know they belong.
To make your journey with us accessible and individual to you, we encourage you to let us know if you’d like a little extra help with your application, or if you have any individual requirements at any stage along your recruitment journey. We are here to support you, so please reach out to our team, (recruitment@fly.virgin.com) feeling confident that we’ve got your individual considerations covered.
Lead Software Developer AI employer: Virgin holidays
Contact Detail:
Virgin holidays Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Software Developer AI
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest AI technologies and trends, especially those related to Generative AI and multi-agent architectures. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your passion for the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with the Virgin Atlantic community on platforms like LinkedIn. Follow their updates, comment on their posts, and connect with current employees. This can give you insights into the company culture and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous projects in detail, particularly those involving AI development. Be ready to explain your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them, as this will showcase your problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight your leadership experience in software development during conversations. Share examples of how you've mentored others or led teams, as this aligns with the role's requirement for providing guidance and fostering a collaborative environment.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Software Developer AI
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in software development, particularly with AI and machine learning projects. Emphasise your proficiency in Python and JavaScript, and any relevant platforms like OpenAI and Databricks.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for AI and how your skills align with Virgin Atlantic's vision. Mention specific projects or experiences that demonstrate your leadership in software development and your ability to mentor others.
Showcase Problem-Solving Skills: Provide examples in your application of how you've tackled complex technical challenges in previous roles. Highlight your proactive approach to problem-solving and your ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.
Highlight Collaboration Experience: Discuss your experience working with cross-functional teams to integrate AI solutions into digital products. This will show your ability to communicate complex technical details to non-technical stakeholders, which is crucial for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Virgin holidays
✨Showcase Your AI Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience with AI technologies, particularly in Python and JavaScript. Highlight specific projects where you've built prototypes using platforms like OpenAI and Databricks, as this will demonstrate your hands-on skills and understanding of the field.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since the role involves leading other developers, be ready to share examples of how you've mentored team members or conducted code reviews. Discuss your approach to setting coding standards and fostering a collaborative environment, as this aligns with the company's values.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to AI model evaluation, multi-agent architectures, and natural language processing. Brush up on these topics and be ready to explain complex concepts in simple terms, as you'll need to communicate effectively with non-technical stakeholders.
✨Align with Company Values
Research Virgin Atlantic's mission and values, especially their commitment to diversity and inclusion. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to a positive team culture and support the company's vision of being the most loved travel company.
