Senior Software Engineer, AI Centre of Excellence Software engineering London

Senior Software Engineer, AI Centre of Excellence Software engineering London

London Full-Time 63000 - 77000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Checkout

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive AI innovation and mentor peers while building cutting-edge solutions.
  • Company: Join Checkout.com, powering payments for global giants like eBay and Spotify.
  • Benefits: Flexible hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for personal growth.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture where your growth and success are prioritised.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in fintech with groundbreaking AI technologies.
  • Qualifications: Experience with LLMs, strong backend skills, and a passion for problem-solving.

The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.

Company Description

We’re Checkout. com.

You might not know our name, but companies like e Bay, Spotify, Klarna, Uber, and Sony do, because we’re behind many of the digital experiences you use every day.

We are where the world checks out, enabling over 10 billion transactions yearly for more than one billion global shoppers.

Whether you want to book a holiday, order food, renew a subscription, or check out online, there’s a good chance our tech powers the payments behind the scenes.

Our platform helps the most ambitious businesses deliver effortless digital experiences, at scale.

If you want to do career-defining work, you’ve come to the right place.

We move fast, think globally, and believe great teams are built by hiring exceptional people with conviction, curiosity, and the desire to make an impact.

With 20 offices across six continents and London as our HQ, we’re shaping the future of fintech – and we’re just getting started.

As a Senior AI Engineer within Checkout. com’s AI Centre of Excellence, you will drive the adoption of cutting‑edge Generative AI technologies to transform how we operate and innovate.

You will mentor peers, set engineering best practices, and shape Checkout. com’s AI strategy, while also designing, building, and deploying AI solutions that enhance products and streamline business processes in collaboration with cross‑functional teams.

How you’ll make an impact

  • Partner with product managers, data scientists, and engineers to research, validate, and deliver high‑impact Generative AI use cases.
  • Design and build APIs and microservices that integrate AI capabilities into internal and external workflows.
  • Develop, fine‑tune, and deploy LLM‑based applications (e. g., chatbots, assistants, knowledge extraction tools).
  • Architect scalable AI infrastructure on cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure), leveraging containerisation and Ia C.
  • Implement CI/CD pipelines and enforce best practices for secure, compliant AI deployment.
  • Build intuitive interfaces that enable teams to interact effectively with AI‑driven features.
  • Continuously optimise performance, reliability, and scalability of AI systems.

What we're looking for

  • Hands‑on experience with LLMs (e. g., GPT, BERT, Llama, Gemini) and applying them to real‑world problems.
  • Strong backend engineering expertise, including RESTful APIs and micro‑services design.
  • Proficiency in Python/Java Script and familiarity with AI frameworks (e. g., Lang Chain, Pydantic AI).
  • Solid understanding of cloud computing (AWS, GCP, or Azure), containerisation (Docker, Kubernetes), and Infrastructure‑as‑Code (Terraform).
  • Proven problem‑solving skills and ability to thrive in fast‑paced environments.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills across diverse teams.

Preferred qualifications

  • Proficiency in C# or Java.
  • Frontend development experience with Java Script/Type Script and frameworks such as React.
  • Experience developing Generative AI applications, including model fine‑tuning and prototyping.
  • Awareness of ethical AI practices and emerging standards in AI governance.
  • Track record of rapid prototyping with measurable ROI.
  • Familiarity with distributed systems and large‑scale data processing.
  • Contributions to open‑source projects or a strong Git Hub portfolio.
  • High technical curiosity and eagerness to learn new platforms.
  • Experience in the payments industry (a strong plus).
  • Additional Information
  • Bring all of you to work

We create the conditions for high performers to thrive, through real ownership, fewer blockers, and work that makes a difference from day one.

Here, you’ll move fast, take on meaningful challenges, and be recognized for the impact you deliver.

It’s a place where ambition gets met with opportunity, and where your growth is in your hands.

We work as one team, and we back each other to succeed. So whatever your background or identity, if you’re ready to grow and make a difference, you’ll be right at home here.

It’s important we set you up for success and make our process as accessible as possible.

So let us know in your application, or tell your recruiter directly, if you need anything to make your experience or working environment more comfortable.

Life at Checkout. com

We understand that work is just one part of your life. Our hybrid working model offers flexibility, with three days per week in the office to support collaboration and connection.

Curious about what it’s like to be part of our team? Visit our Careers Page to learn more about our culture, open roles, and what drives us.

For a closer look at daily life at Checkout. com, follow us on Linked In and Instagram.

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Senior Software Engineer, AI Centre of Excellence Software engineering London employer: Checkout

Checkout.com is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, making it an ideal place for professionals looking to make a significant impact in the financial technology sector. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, team members are encouraged to expand their skills and take on new challenges, all while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of London. The company's commitment to regulatory excellence and strategic expansion offers unique opportunities for those passionate about shaping the future of global finance.

Checkout

Contact Details:

Checkout Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer, AI Centre of Excellence Software engineering London

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 Checkout 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 Checkout.

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 Checkout.

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 Checkout 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 Senior Software Engineer, AI Centre of Excellence Software engineering London

Generative AI
LLM (e.g., GPT, BERT, Llama, Gemini)
Backend Engineering
RESTful APIs
Microservices Design
Python
JavaScript

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 Checkout.

Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Checkout 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 Checkout

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 Checkout 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.