Junior Software Engineer in London

Junior Software Engineer in London

London Full-Time 50000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Aria

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Develop AI-driven software solutions to transform workflows and enhance operational efficiency.
  • Company: Join ARIA, a pioneering R&D funding agency tackling global challenges with innovative tech.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 27 days of leave, hybrid work, and a supportive learning environment.
  • Other info: Dynamic team culture with opportunities for growth and diverse backgrounds welcomed.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by building cutting-edge tools for breakthrough research projects.
  • Qualifications: Experience in Python development and API design; passion for automation is a plus.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 £ per year.

Salary: £50,000

Bonus: Discretionary

Location: Kings Cross, London (Tuesdays-Thursdays - 3 days in our office, Monday + Friday - anywhere)

Employment Type: 12-month fixed-term contract with the potential for extension or conversion to a permanent role - full time

About ARIA

ARIA is a new kind of R&D funding agency. We fund scientists and engineers to pursue research at the edge of the possible. From climate change to AI, society faces enormous challenges and opportunities that can be uniquely addressed by science and technology. ARIA was created to activate the UK’s world-class R&D in new ways, so we can meet these head on. We are growing our team to develop bold new approaches that can scale – from programmes to systems, processes and everything in between.

Role Summary

To accelerate ARIA’s transition toward frontier operations by replacing or restructuring manual, bottlenecked processes with AI-driven solutions (i.e., workflow automation & AI integration). This role will act as the technical engine for ARIA’s workflow transformations, turning high-level blueprints into functional digital tools that increase the agency's operational bandwidth. This role will focus on building and integrating the bespoke software and automations that enable the organisation to coordinate, operate, and scale multiple breakthrough research projects.

Our Tech Stack includes the following:

  • Python 3
  • CI/CD
  • Docker
  • TailwindCSS
  • Jinja2
  • HTMX / HTML
  • Github

What you’ll do

  • Interact with Project Managers and Data Engineers to reach the best possible technical design
  • Develop and implement technical workflow solutions including integrations between systems, AI-embedded workflows, and custom interface builds
  • Build the middleware and API connections required to ensure various SaaS systems and internal data sources communicate and integrate seamlessly
  • Produce clear technical documentation and playbooks to transition successful pilots into stable, Business-as-Usual (BAU) operations
  • Prototype and build lightweight frontends using TailwindCSS, Jinja2, and HTMX to turn high-level operational blueprints into functional digital tools.
  • Collaborate closely with internal teams to shadow manual processes, diagnose operational bottlenecks, and translate non-technical feedback into concrete automation requirements.
  • Maintain and optimize deployment pipelines using Docker and CI/CD tools to ensure rapid, reliable, and secure software delivery.
  • Monitor, iterate, and troubleshoot newly launched pilot tools, utilizing user feedback and performance data to make swift engineering adjustments.
  • Participate in code reviews and security checks, ensuring that any tool built adheres to essential data protection and identity access controls.

Success by Month 6

  • Involvement in and contribution towards pilot launches of 3–5 high-impact, AI-augmented workflows.
  • Clear documentation of design choices, implementations and user-guides for any released tooling / libraries.

Who you are

Essential

  • Technical builder with a foundation in Python development for backends and command line tools
  • Experience in designing internal APIs and consuming APIs from 3rd party platforms
  • Understand databases and ORMs to be able to create clean schemas, and query data
  • Familiarity with Git for source control, within a collaborative environment
  • Requirement gathering from non-technical stakeholders and translating into technical requirements

Desirable

  • Possess a practical understanding of automation and Large Language Models (LLMs) and has experience in prompt engineering and agent-based architectures, but may also be skeptical and guarded with respect to AI and how it should be applied.
  • Hands-on, execution-oriented engineer who can adapt quickly based on pilot performance data and user feedback.
  • Understands the importance of technical security controls, such as IAM and encryption, especially when handling sensitive data or PII.

Benefits

  • 27 days annual leave provision, with the option to buy/sell additional days
  • Hybrid working arrangements; 60% in office / 40% at home
  • Supportive environment for learning and development opportunities
  • Enhanced family leave arrangements
  • A free and confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme
  • Life Assurance
  • 2 days of paid volunteer days
  • 5% defined contribution pension scheme with Smart Pension
  • Cycle to Work scheme
  • An excellent office location in Kings X, London

Not sure you meet 100% of our criteria? Don’t worry! If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We want to attract the broadest array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you’re new to the field, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interests and what you hope to bring to this role.

If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please notify us and we will make every effort to accommodate you. Disclosing any requests are intended to provide ARIA with the best opportunity to support candidates and will have no negative impact on your recruitment process.

ARIA adopts a highly considered approach to ethical and social responsibility. You can read our policy here. Our research and development activity will abide by the 3Rs principle. You can read about those here.

Junior Software Engineer in London employer: Aria

At ARIA, we pride ourselves on being an innovative employer that fosters a supportive and collaborative work culture. Located in the vibrant Kings Cross area of London, we offer hybrid working arrangements, generous annual leave, and numerous opportunities for professional growth and development. Join us to be part of a mission-driven team dedicated to tackling some of society's most pressing challenges through cutting-edge research and technology.

Aria

Contact Details:

Aria Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Junior Software Engineer in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field on LinkedIn or at local meetups. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those using Python and automation. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and coding challenges. We recommend using platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to sharpen your skills.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining ARIA.

We think you need these skills to ace Junior Software Engineer in London

Python Development
API Design
Database Management
ORMs
Git
Technical Documentation
Workflow Automation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Tech:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for technology and software engineering shine through. We want to see how excited you are about building innovative solutions and tackling challenges head-on!

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight the skills and experiences that align with our job description. We love seeing how your background fits into our mission at ARIA, so don’t hold back!

Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experiences and achievements, especially those related to Python development and workflow automation. We appreciate clarity!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!

How to prepare for a job interview at Aria

Know Your Tech Stack

Familiarise yourself with the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Python, Docker, and CI/CD. Be ready to discuss your experience with these tools and how you've used them in past projects.

Understand the Role's Impact

Research ARIA's mission and how the Junior Software Engineer role contributes to their goals. Be prepared to explain how your skills can help streamline processes and enhance workflow automation.

Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect questions about API design, database management, and automation. Brush up on your knowledge of ORMs and be ready to provide examples of how you've gathered requirements from non-technical stakeholders.

Show Your Collaborative Spirit

This role involves working closely with Project Managers and Data Engineers. Highlight your teamwork experiences and how you’ve successfully collaborated on technical projects in the past.