At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI/ML projects, set technical direction, and oversee large-scale platform delivery.
- Company: Join Faculty, a pioneering AI company transforming industries with human-centric technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy unlimited leave, private healthcare, flexible working, and coaching support.
- Other info: Diverse team culture that values intellectual curiosity and positive impact.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in AI while shaping the future of public services.
- Qualifications: Deep expertise in software development and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 76023 - 95029 £ per year.
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. 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.
Our Public Services Business Unit is committed to leveraging AI for the benefit of individual citizens and the public good. From our work informing strategic government decisions, to optimising our NHS, through to reducing bureaucratic backlogs - we know that AI offers opportunities to drive improvements at every level of Government and we are proud to lead on some of the most impactful work happening in the sector. Because of the nature of the work we do with our Government clients, you may need to be eligible for UK Security Clearance (SC) and willing to work on site with these clients from time to time.
As a Lead AI/ML Engineer at Faculty, you will set the technical direction for complex AI/ML projects, ensuring models perform at scale and in production over time by balancing technical trade-offs and guiding team priorities. You will lead the delivery of large-scale AI-powered platforms in high-risk environments while defining project roadmaps across multiple complex workstreams. This is an ambitious, entrepreneurial leadership role where you will act as a trusted technical expert, defending your architectural rationale to senior stakeholders to ensure we deliver high-quality, high-value outputs.
What you'll be doing:
- Setting the technical direction for complex software projects to ensure architectural decisions support long-term product and client goals.
- Driving the development of shared software libraries and microservices that accelerate delivery across multiple client engagements.
- Overseeing the delivery of large-scale AI-powered platforms while defining project roadmaps in high-risk environments.
- Facilitating alignment between ML, Data Science, and DevOps crafts to ensure agentic software is built on a reliable foundation.
- Managing and coaching a distributed team of engineers, setting development goals that align with organisational growth.
- Establishing enterprise-wide standards for code delivery, testing, and system documentation across the software engineering craft.
- Leading hiring processes for the software engineering craft to continue building a world‑class technical team.
Who we're looking for:
- You apply deep expertise across the application lifecycle to set high standards for system integration and end-user software quality.
- You design large-scale, complex software ecosystems with the authority to justify critical architectural trade-offs in high-stakes environments.
- You define the gold standard for production readiness, establishing application deployment protocols across diverse client engagements.
- You translate high-level commercial strategy into technical roadmaps, ensuring AI work‑streams are accurately estimated and seamlessly integrated.
- You architecturally direct the development of products leveraging autonomous AI agents to ensure they are robust and effectively integrated.
- You are a confident communicator, capable of conveying complex technical roadmaps and architectural risks to commercial partners and executive leadership.
Our Recruitment Ethos
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.
Some of our standout benefits:
- Unlimited Annual Leave Policy
- Private healthcare and dental
- Enhanced parental leave
- Family-friendly flexibility & flexible working
- Sanctus Coaching
- Hybrid Working
Lead Software Engineer employer: AI Chopping Block
At Faculty, we are not just at the forefront of AI innovation; we are committed to using technology for the greater good. Our inclusive work culture fosters diversity and intellectual curiosity, empowering employees to make a meaningful impact in sectors like government and healthcare. With benefits such as unlimited annual leave, private healthcare, and flexible working arrangements, we provide an environment where you can thrive both personally and professionally while contributing to transformative projects.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Software Engineer
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at AI Chopping Block or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to AI Chopping Block.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like AI Chopping Block.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like AI Chopping Block that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Software Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at AI Chopping Block.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at AI Chopping Block and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at AI Chopping Block
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If AI Chopping Block uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
