Software Engineering Team Lead (GenAI) in London
Software Engineering Team Lead (GenAI)

Software Engineering Team Lead (GenAI) in London

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

  • Tasks: Lead the design and delivery of innovative AI services while mentoring a talented team.
  • Company: Join a global leader in information and analytics, advancing science and healthcare.
  • Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, health perks, study assistance, and a supportive work-life balance.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by integrating generative AI into products that benefit society.
  • Qualifications: 7+ years in software engineering with strong Python skills and experience in AI systems.
  • Other info: Dynamic hybrid work environment with excellent career growth and learning opportunities.

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

Our AI Platform team builds shared capabilities that power more than 13 products across the company. We enable teams to safely, reliably, and efficiently integrate generative AI into their workflows without rebuilding core infrastructure. We focus on reusable services, developer tooling, and platform components that support scalability, security, and strong observability.

We are looking for a Software Engineering Lead to provide hands-on technical leadership for the AI Platform. You will guide the design and delivery of shared AI services, mentor engineers, and collaborate with product, research, and engineering teams. This is a highly impactful role with ownership of technical direction and platform outcomes.

  • Lead technical design and implementation of shared AI services and components.
  • Drive the delivery of platform initiatives, ensuring solutions are scalable, reliable, secure, and maintainable.
  • Design, build, and maintain backend services and APIs, primarily in Python (with some Java).
  • Translate architecture into clear implementation plans and iterative delivery approaches.
  • Partner with cross-functional teams to turn AI prototypes into production-ready capabilities.
  • Promote engineering best practices, including code quality, testing, CI/CD, and observability.
  • Provide constructive design and code reviews.
  • Mentor and support engineers through pairing, coaching, and feedback.
  • Contribute to deployment and operational stability of AI services in a Kubernetes (EKS) environment.
  • Identify and address technical risks, dependencies, and bottlenecks.
  • Ensure smooth integration of AI Platform services across the broader product ecosystem.

Required Experience:

  • 7+ years of software engineering experience.
  • Experience serving as a technical lead for complex backend or platform systems.
  • Strong proficiency in Python; familiarity with Java.
  • Solid backend fundamentals: API design, data modelling, distributed systems, and concurrency.
  • Experience building or integrating AI/LLM-powered systems and working with modern AI frameworks (e.g., LangChain, LangGraph).
  • Hands-on experience with Kubernetes (EKS) and cloud-native development.
  • Ability to balance hands-on coding with technical leadership.
  • Experience working in Agile or Kanban environments.
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical decisions to diverse audiences.

Benefits:

We promote a healthy work/life balance across the organisation. We offer an appealing working prospect for our people. With numerous wellbeing initiatives, shared parental leave, study assistance and sabbaticals, we will help you meet your immediate responsibilities and your long-term goals.

These are some of the benefits we are delighted to offer:

  • Generous holiday allowance with the option to buy additional days.
  • Health screening, eye care vouchers and private medical insurance.
  • Life assurance.
  • Access to a competitive contributory pension scheme.
  • Save As You Earn share option scheme.
  • Travel Season ticket loan.
  • Electric Vehicle Insurance.
  • Maternity, paternity and shared parental leave.
  • Employee Assistance Programme.
  • Access to emergency care for both the elderly and children.
  • RECARES days, giving you time to support the charities and causes that matter to you.
  • Access to employee resource groups with dedicated time to volunteer.
  • Access to extensive learning and development resources.
  • Access to employee discounts scheme via Perks at Work.

A global leader in information and analytics, we help researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. Building on our publishing heritage, we combine quality information and vast data sets with analytics to support visionary science and research, health education and interactive learning, as well as exceptional healthcare and clinical practice.

Software Engineering Team Lead (GenAI) in London employer: Elsevier

As a Software Engineering Team Lead at our innovative AI Platform team, you will thrive in a dynamic and supportive work culture that prioritises your well-being and professional growth. With a generous holiday allowance, extensive learning resources, and a commitment to work/life balance, we empower you to make a meaningful impact while enjoying unique benefits like shared parental leave and community support initiatives. Join us in advancing science and healthcare through cutting-edge technology in a collaborative hybrid environment.
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Contact Detail:

Elsevier Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Software Engineering Team Lead (GenAI) in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work in AI or software engineering. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving AI and backend services. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms, as you'll need to communicate effectively with diverse teams.

✨Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!

We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineering Team Lead (GenAI) in London

Technical Leadership
Python
Java
API Design
Data Modelling
Distributed Systems
Concurrency
AI/LLM Integration
Kubernetes (EKS)
Cloud-Native Development
Agile Methodologies
Communication Skills
Mentoring
Code Quality
CI/CD

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your technical leadership experience and any work with AI platforms, as this is key for us.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about the role and how your background aligns with our mission. Share specific examples of your past projects that demonstrate your expertise in Python and AI.

Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t shy away from detailing your technical skills, especially in backend development and AI frameworks. We want to see your proficiency in Python and any experience with Kubernetes, so make it stand out!

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

How to prepare for a job interview at Elsevier

✨Know Your Tech Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your Python and Java skills, as well as your understanding of backend fundamentals like API design and distributed systems. Be ready to discuss your experience with AI frameworks and Kubernetes, as these will be key topics during the interview.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples of how you've led technical projects or mentored engineers in the past. Highlight your ability to balance hands-on coding with leadership responsibilities, as this role requires guiding teams while also being involved in the technical details.

✨Understand the Company’s AI Vision

Familiarise yourself with the company's AI platform and its impact across various products. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to making generative AI integration seamless and efficient, showcasing your knowledge of scalable and secure solutions.

✨Practice Clear Communication

Since you'll need to explain complex technical decisions to diverse audiences, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Consider doing mock interviews with friends or colleagues to refine your communication style and ensure you can convey your ideas effectively.

Software Engineering Team Lead (GenAI) in London
Elsevier
Location: London

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