At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering teams to design and deliver innovative insurance technology solutions.
- Company: Join a leading tech firm transforming the insurance industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, hybrid work, and generous leave.
- Other info: Enjoy continuous learning opportunities and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in insurance tech while growing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in software engineering with insurance domain expertise.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
We are seeking an exceptional Application & Software Engineering Lead with deep Insurance domain expertise to drive the design, delivery, and evolution of our core technology platforms. This is a high-impact leadership role sitting at the intersection of engineering excellence and insurance business capability, responsible for leading cross-functional engineering teams to deliver scalable, resilient, and compliant software solutions. You will act as a trusted technology partner to the world’s largest insurance firms, translating complex insurance workflows — spanning policy administration, underwriting, claims, and regulatory compliance — into robust, modern application architectures. You will set the technical vision, champion engineering best practices, and cultivate a high-performing team culture.
Key Responsibilities
- Engineering Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and grow a team of software engineers, architects, and analysts across multiple squads.
- Define and uphold engineering standards, coding practices, and quality frameworks across the function.
- Drive a culture of continuous improvement, psychological safety, and technical craftsmanship.
- Conduct regular 1:1s, performance reviews, and career development conversations with direct reports.
- Collaborate with Engineering Managers, Product Owners, and Delivery Leads to ensure aligned, outcome-driven delivery.
- Application Strategy & Architecture
- Own the application roadmap for core insurance platforms, including policy management, claims, underwriting, and distribution systems.
- Design and govern scalable, event-driven, cloud-native architectures appropriate for the insurance technology landscape.
- Lead technical design reviews, architecture decision records (ADRs), and proof-of-concept evaluations.
- Assess and manage technical debt; prioritise remediation in balance with feature delivery.
- Evaluate and recommend third-party insurance software (e.g. Guidewire, Duck Creek, Majesco) and integration patterns.
- Insurance Domain Delivery
- Apply specialist knowledge of insurance business processes to shape technical solutions that meet regulatory and operational requirements.
- Oversee delivery of insurance-specific capabilities: policy lifecycle management, claims handling, bordereaux processing, reinsurance ceding, and premium calculation engines.
- Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations including Solvency II, FCA requirements, market standards, and GDPR.
- Act as a subject matter expert (SME) bridging business stakeholders and engineering teams on insurance domain requirements.
- Delivery & Execution
- Own end-to-end software delivery for one or more product areas; accountable for quality, timeliness, and technical integrity.
- Champion Agile and DevSecOps practices; contribute to sprint planning, backlog refinement, and release governance.
- Define and track engineering KPIs including lead time, deployment frequency, MTTR, and defect escape rate.
- Manage stakeholder expectations and provide transparent reporting on engineering progress and risk.
- Partner with Product, Actuarial, Risk, Compliance, and Operations teams to understand and shape business requirements.
- Manage relationships with technology vendors and insurance software providers; lead procurement and contract negotiations where required.
- Represent the engineering function in senior leadership forums, architecture boards, and client-facing engagements.
Skills & Experience
- Significant experience (7+ years) in software engineering.
- Demonstrable insurance domain expertise across one or more of: Specialty, London Market / Lloyds, or Reinsurance.
- Strong command of modern application development: microservices, API-first design, event-driven architecture, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
- Proven ability to lead distributed engineering teams delivering in an Agile/SAFe environment.
- Deep understanding of insurance data models, regulatory frameworks (FCA, PRA, Solvency II), and compliance requirements.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage technical and non-technical audiences, including C-suite stakeholders.
Highly Desirable
- Consulting experience.
- Background in data engineering or analytics within an insurance context (e.g. actuarial data platforms, claims analytics).
- Relevant certifications: AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Architect, TOGAF, or equivalent.
- Exposure to AI/ML applications in insurance (e.g. fraud detection, underwriting automation, NLP for claims).
- Languages & Frameworks: Java, Python, .NET, or similar enterprise-grade stack; REST and GraphQL APIs.
- Data & Integration: Kafka / event streaming, enterprise integration patterns, EDI/ACORD XML or JSON standards.
- Security & Compliance: OWASP practices, data privacy engineering, secure SDLC.
What We Offer
- Competitive base salary benchmarked to senior tech consulting market rates.
- Annual performance bonus tied to individual and company outcomes.
- Comprehensive benefits package including private medical insurance, life assurance, and income protection.
- Hybrid working model with flexible arrangements to support work-life balance.
- Generous pension scheme with enhanced employer contributions.
- Continuous learning budget and access to industry conferences, certifications, and training programmes.
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with option to buy additional days.
- Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
Engineering Lead - Insurance (Data & AI) in London employer: Alpha FMC
Join a forward-thinking company that values engineering excellence and innovation in the insurance sector. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we offer a hybrid working model, competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefits package, including a generous pension scheme and continuous learning opportunities. Our collaborative work culture fosters psychological safety and encourages technical craftsmanship, making it an ideal environment for talented professionals looking to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Lead - Insurance (Data & AI) in London
✨Dive Into Industry Networking Events
Get your foot in the door by attending insurance industry events and conferences. Not only will you learn about the latest trends, but you'll also meet potential employers and industry peers. Check out local chapters of professional bodies like the Chartered Insurance Institute for valuable meetups.
✨Use LinkedIn to Your Advantage
Don’t underestimate the power of LinkedIn in the insurance world. Engage with industry content, join relevant groups, and connect with professionals at companies you admire (like Alpha FMC). A thoughtful message explaining your interest can really make a difference!
✨Look Out for Graduate Schemes
Many firms in insurance have structured graduate programmes. Keep an eye on application windows and utilise your university's career services for insider tips. These schemes are designed to develop talent and often lead to permanent roles after your initial training.
✨Leverage Your Current Connections
Got friends or family in the industry? Now’s the time to reach out! Personal referrals can give you a head start, so let them know you're on the lookout for full-time opportunities at places like Alpha FMC. Don’t shy away from asking for a coffee chat; you never know what doors it might open!
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Lead - Insurance (Data & AI) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In insurance, we love a candidate who can crunch numbers and analyse data effectively. When crafting your CV, make sure to showcase any relevant coursework or experiences that highlight your analytical abilities, especially if you’ve tackled risk assessment or financial modelling.
Showcase Industry Knowledge:Don’t be shy about your knowledge of the insurance sector! We want to see that you've done your homework on current trends, regulations, and challenges in the industry. Mention any relevant projects or studies you’ve completed that demonstrate your understanding of the field in your cover letter.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you’re passionate about insurance. Share any personal experiences or what drew you into this profession. We’re looking for enthusiasm and a clear motivation for why you want to be part of our team at Alpha FMC.
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don't just send a generic CV! Focus on tailoring it specifically for the insurance role at Alpha FMC. Highlight relevant skills such as risk management, customer service experience, or any certifications you've earned in the industry to make your application stand out.
How to prepare for a job interview at Alpha FMC
✨Know Your Numbers: Insurance Fundamentals
Brush up on your understanding of key insurance concepts, like underwriting principles and risk assessment. Expect the interviewer at Alpha FMC to throw some technical questions your way, so be ready to demonstrate your grasp of these essentials.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Side
In the insurance world, it's all about data. Prepare to discuss any analytical tools or methodologies you've used in past experiences. If you have a portfolio of projects where you've tackled complex data, bring that along to impress the team!
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
As a full-timer at Alpha FMC, they'll want to know how you handle real-life scenarios, not just theory. Think about challenges you've faced in teamwork or customer service, and how those experiences can relate to a career in insurance.
✨Know the Company Culture Inside Out
Understanding Alpha FMC's values and workplace culture is essential. Don’t just memorise their mission statement; think about how your personal values align with theirs. This will show your genuine interest in being part of their team long-term.
