Staff Software Engineer
Staff Software Engineer

Staff Software Engineer

London Full-Time 48000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
A

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the design and development of AI-driven systems for public safety.
  • Company: Join Axon, a mission-driven company focused on protecting life through innovative technology.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private health insurance, 30 days holiday, and career growth support.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in public safety while working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in software engineering with experience in AI/ML systems and backend development.
  • Other info: Diversity is valued; apply even if you don't meet every requirement.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.

At Axon, we’re on a mission to Protect Life. We’re explorers, pursuing society’s most critical safety and justice issues with our ecosystem of devices and cloud software. Like our products, we work better together. We connect with candor and care, seeking out diverse perspectives from our customers, communities and each other.
Life at Axon is fast-paced, challenging and meaningful. Here, you’ll take ownership and drive real change. Constantly grow as you work hard for a mission that matters at a company where you matter.

Your Impact

Axon is on a mission to protect life. As part of that mission,Axon Assistantis helping shape the future of how public safety professionals interact with intelligent systems — delivering real-time translation, contextual policy guidance, and AI-driven support across voice, mobile, and web platforms.
Axon Assistant operates in a space wherecutting-edge AI,device integrations, andmission-critical reliabilityconverge. As aStaff Software Engineer, you will be a technical leader responsible for solving some of the hardest problems in deploying AI products at scale — spanning LLM orchestration, multi-platform integration, latency-sensitive use cases, and global deployment complexity. The systems you help design will directly impact how officers make decisions in the field, increase situational awareness, and ultimately support life-saving outcomes.
This is a role for someone who thrives inhigh-ambiguity, high-complexity environmentsand wants to bring structure, clarity, and momentum to deeply technical challenges. You’ll play a central role in defining architecture, driving decisions, and ensuring that our most ambitious product can be delivered with rigor, trust, and velocity.

What You’ll Do

  • Lead technical direction and architecture for key systems powering Axon Assistant across backend, mobile, and edge-device surfaces.
  • Design and buildhigh-performance, fault-tolerant services for AI feature delivery, real-time communication, and intelligent user interaction.
  • Evaluate and integrateLLMs and other AI/ML models for use in production — ensuring safe, performant, and explainable application of language technologies.
  • Own complex decision-making processes, such asmodel selection vs. deterministic logic , tradeoffs in latency, data retention, cost, and user trust.
  • Work closely with PMs, Applied AI teams, and UX engineers to align technology decisions with user experience and product strategy — helping ensure that assistant-style interactions feel fluid, contextual, and intelligent.
  • Write and review production code (Node.js, Python, or equivalent) and mentor engineers across the team in high-quality engineering practices.
  • Lead cross-functional technical investigations, root cause analyses, and high-risk launches with ownership and clarity.
  • Bring order and forward momentum to ambiguous and evolving requirements — without losing sight of long-term architectural health.

What You Bring

  • 10+ years of experience in software engineering, including3+ years in Staff-level or equivalent roles .
  • Proven experiencedesigning and delivering complex backend systems , ideally in distributed or real-time environments.
  • Hands-on experience building and deployingAI/ML-powered systems , especially with LLMs, NLP services, or multimodal interfaces.
  • Deep understanding ofcloud infrastructure , service reliability, and secure system design (AWS, GCP, or Azure).
  • Advanced fluency in at least one backend language such asNode.js ,Python , orGo , with a focus on scalable, testable design.
  • Strong architectural thinking and judgment — with the ability to navigate ambiguity and drive consensus.
  • Experience with real-world deployment constraints, includingmulti-region scaling, privacy compliance, and observability .
  • Ability to influence, mentor, and lead across engineering boundaries without formal authority.

Nice to Have

  • Experience building assistant-style interfaces or integrating LLMs in production settings.
  • Background working in regulated domains orhigh-trust product environments (e.g., public safety, healthcare, financial services).
  • Contributions to open-source AI tooling or relevant community work.
  • Familiarity withon-device compute constraints , edge inference, or hybrid client/cloud architecture.

Benefits that benefit you

  • Competitive base salary and RSUs.
  • Comprehensive pension plan with matching contribution
  • Private health insurance & cash plans
  • 30 days paid holiday + UK public holidays
  • Enhanced maternity/paternity leave
  • Life assurance & income protection
  • Career growth support and wellness resources

Benefits listed herein may vary depending on the nature of your employment and the location where you work.

Don’t meet every single requirement? That\’s ok. At Axon, we Aim Far. We think big with a long-term view because we want to reinvent the world to be a safer, better place. We are also committed to building diverse teams that reflect the communities we serve.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they check every box in the job description. If you’re excited about this role and our mission to Protect Life but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification listed here, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all duties, responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. The job description may change or be supplemented at any time in accordance with business needs and conditions.

Some roles may also require legal eligibility to work in a firearms environment.

Axon’s mission is to Protect Life and is committed to the well-being and safety of its employees as well as Axon’s impact on the environment. All Axon employees must be aware of and committed to the appropriate environmental, health, and safety regulations, policies, and procedures. Axon employees are empowered to report safety concerns as they arise and activities potentially impacting the environment.

We are an equal opportunity employer that promotes justice, advances equity, values diversity and fosters inclusion. We’re committed to hiring the best talent — regardless of race, creed, color, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances — and empowering all of our employees so they can do their best work. If you have a disability or special need that requires assistance or accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please . Please note that this email address is for accommodation purposes only. Axon will not respond to inquiries for other purposes.

Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at Axon? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Resume/CV *

Enter manually

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Enter manually

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

LinkedIn Profile

Website

Where are you currently located? *

Please let our team know the city, state or city, country you currently are located in.

Are you legally authorized to work in the United Kingdom for any UK employer now and in the future? * Select…

Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment in the United Kingdom? * Select…

Can you provide verification of both your identity and authorization to work in the United Kingdom, to the extent required by law? * Select…

Are you at least 18 years of age? * Select…

Based on the below information, would you meet the requirements for a deemed export license in order to access EAR – controlled technology? * Select…

Due to the nature of Axon’s products and technology, certain job-related technical data is subject to U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR). In order for certain Non-U.S. Persons to access this technology/data, Axon must apply for and be issued a deemed export license from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Any Non-U.S. Person is subject to deemed export regulations except a Non-U.S. Person who (1) is granted U.S. Permanent Resident status, as demonstrated by the issuance of a permanent resident visa (i.e., Green Card); or (2) is granted U.S. citizenship; or (3) is granted status as a protected person (i.e., Asylee or Refugee) under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Do you have any contractual obligations, agreements, relationships, or commitments to another person or entity that would impact, impede or interfere with your ability to join Axon? * Select…

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Staff Software Engineer employer: Axon

At Axon, we are dedicated to creating a meaningful impact through our mission to Protect Life, making us an exceptional employer for those passionate about public safety and technology. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and diversity, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and mentorship in a fast-paced environment. With competitive benefits, including a comprehensive pension plan and generous holiday allowance, we ensure that our employees are well-supported both personally and professionally as they contribute to life-saving solutions.
A

Contact Detail:

Axon Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Staff Software Engineer

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with Axon's mission and values. Understanding how your skills can contribute to their goal of protecting life will help you articulate your passion during interviews and discussions.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with current or former employees of Axon on platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging in conversations about their experiences can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations for the Staff Software Engineer role.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your experience with AI/ML systems by discussing relevant projects you've worked on. Be prepared to explain the challenges you faced and how you overcame them, as this aligns with the high-complexity environment Axon operates in.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss architectural decisions you've made in past roles. Axon is looking for someone who can navigate ambiguity and drive consensus, so demonstrating your ability to lead technical discussions will be crucial.

We think you need these skills to ace Staff Software Engineer

Software Engineering
Backend System Design
AI/ML Integration
LLM Orchestration
NLP Services
Cloud Infrastructure (AWS, GCP, Azure)
Node.js, Python, or Go Programming
Scalable System Architecture
Real-time Communication Systems
Fault-tolerant Service Design
Cross-functional Collaboration
Technical Leadership
Root Cause Analysis
Decision-Making in Complex Environments
Mentoring and Coaching Engineers

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in software engineering, particularly in backend systems and AI/ML technologies. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead technical projects and solve complex problems.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for Axon's mission to protect life. Discuss how your skills align with the role of Staff Software Engineer and provide examples of your experience in high-complexity environments.

Showcase Technical Skills: Be explicit about your proficiency in programming languages like Node.js or Python. Mention any hands-on experience with AI/ML systems, especially LLMs, and how you've successfully integrated them into production settings.

Highlight Leadership Experience: Since this role requires leading cross-functional teams, emphasise your leadership experience. Provide examples of how you've influenced decisions and mentored other engineers, showcasing your ability to navigate ambiguity and drive consensus.

How to prepare for a job interview at Axon

✨Understand the Mission

Before your interview, take some time to really understand Axon's mission to protect life. Familiarise yourself with their products and how they impact public safety. This will help you articulate how your skills align with their goals.

✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise

Be prepared to discuss your experience in designing and delivering complex backend systems. Highlight specific projects where you've worked with AI/ML technologies, especially LLMs, and be ready to explain your decision-making process in technical challenges.

✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills

As a Staff Software Engineer, you'll need to lead technical direction. Share examples of how you've influenced teams or driven consensus in previous roles. Emphasise your ability to mentor others and bring clarity to ambiguous situations.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in high-complexity environments. Prepare to discuss how you would approach real-world deployment constraints, such as latency issues or privacy compliance, and provide clear, structured answers.

Staff Software Engineer
Axon

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

A
Similar positions in other companies
UK’s top job board for Gen Z
discover-jobs-cta
Discover now
>