At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical direction and mentor engineers while delivering innovative AI solutions.
- Company: Grant Thornton, a forward-thinking firm transforming the audit and advisory industry.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, inclusive culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Make a positive impact through community initiatives and enjoy a balanced work-life.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and redefine the future of engineering in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in software development, particularly with Python or C# .Net, and AI tools.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
At Grant Thornton we do things differently - looking to the future, driving ambitious growth and pioneering positive change in our industry. Providing audit, tax and advisory services, we empower clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. And we empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture and work life balance.
With over 5,000 people in the UK, and a presence in 150 global markets, we’re on an ambitious journey, from great to exceptional, and we need the best people to help us achieve our potential. Every day our teams help people in businesses and communities to do what is right and achieve their goals. Grant Thornton is building a new digital function at the heart of a £500m transformation of how the firm works and delivers for clients.
We’re hiring Lead Engineers to be the senior technical voice in our delivery teams – hands‑on engineers who can work confidently in an AI‑native environment, solving problems natively in the platform or through AI‑enabled engineering from prototyping through to deployment. We’re happy to talk flexible working and consider reduced hours and job shares, we’ll support you to balance your work and life.
A look into the role
As a Lead Engineer within our team, you’ll own technical direction and delivery quality across one or two small teams, working directly alongside product managers and senior business stakeholders. You’ll be a hands‑on individual contributor, building solutions while mentoring the engineers around you, setting the standard for how problems get solved, and being accountable for what gets shipped. You’ll work in a matrix, being embedded in a service line for day‑to‑day delivery and connected to a wider engineering function for craft, standards and career.
Key Responsibilities
- Set technical direction for your team(s) and own the quality of what is delivered
- Mentor engineers on craft, and develop their judgement about when and how to use AI tooling
- Build and maintain the integrations, MCP builds, API connections and infrastructure that sit beneath and around our GenAI platform
- Build systems, tools and solutions in an AI‑native way
- Represent engineering credibly with senior stakeholders, translating between technical design and business need in both directions
- Keep technical debt visible, trade‑offs explicit, and delivery pace predictable
- Contribute to our engineering standards and help the wider function improve over time
Knowing you’re right for us
Joining us as a Lead Engineer, the minimum criteria you’ll need is:
- Engineering depth. You’ve written and shipped production‑grade software – most likely in Python, C# .Net, or both (or similar). You think in systems, hold the line on fundamentals, and know what AI tooling is doing under the hood.
- AI‑native judgement. You’re fluent across AI‑native engineering, from building natively in the platform, using AI‑enabled tools to accelerate your own craft, and taking coalface experiments through to production‑grade operationalised solutions.
- Delivery credibility. You’ve owned end‑to‑end delivery in a team‑based model. You surface problems early, bring options, and keep stakeholders informed without being managed.
- Stakeholder presence. You can work directly and credibly with non‑technical people at a senior level, and translate technical constraints into business language without losing precision.
Additional Skills
- AI and LLM experience – you’re comfortable using GenAI tools such as Copilot, Claude or ChatGPT.
Knowing we’re right for you
Embracing uniqueness, the culture at Grant Thornton thrives on the contributions of all our people, we never settle for what is easy, we look beyond to deliver the right thing, for everyone. Building an inclusive culture, where we value difference and respect our colleagues helps our people to perform at the best of their ability and realise their potential.
Our open and accessible culture means you’ll interact with leaders who are interested in you and everything you bring to our firm. The things that set you apart, we value them. That’s why we give you the freedom to bring your whole self to work and pursue your passions inside and outside of work.
Beyond the job
Life is more than work. The things you do, and the people you’re with outside of work matter, that’s why we’re happy to look at flexible working options for all our roles, and we’ll always do our best to keep your work and life in balance. The impact you can make here will go far beyond your day job. From secondments, to fundraising for local charities, or investing in entrepreneurs in the developing world, you’ll be giving back to society. It’s that drive to do the right thing that runs through our every move, grounded in our firm’s values – purposefully driven, actively curious and candid but kind. We’re looking for people who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations. People who want to be able to proudly do what’s right, for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves.
Lead Engineer / Tech Lead in Leeds employer: Grant Thornton UK
At Grant Thornton, we pride ourselves on fostering an inclusive culture that empowers our employees to thrive both personally and professionally. As a Lead Engineer, you will be part of a dynamic team driving innovative solutions in an AI-native environment, with ample opportunities for mentorship and career growth. Our commitment to work-life balance and flexible working arrangements ensures that you can pursue your passions while making a meaningful impact in the industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Engineer / Tech Lead in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Grant Thornton on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for the interview process. It’s all about making connections and showing your genuine interest in the company.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those technical interviews! Brush up on your coding skills, especially in Python and C#. Practice common algorithms and system design questions. We want you to feel confident and ready to showcase your engineering depth.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your AI-native skills! Be ready to discuss how you've used AI tools in your past projects. Share specific examples of how you’ve integrated AI into your work, as this is a key part of the role at Grant Thornton.
✨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, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and being part of the exciting journey at Grant Thornton.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Engineer / Tech Lead in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Technical Skills:Make sure to highlight your engineering depth in your application. We want to see your experience with production-grade software, especially in Python or C#. Don’t forget to mention any AI-native projects you've worked on!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language to explain your past experiences and how they relate to the role. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor it to reflect how your skills and experiences align with our values and the specific requirements of the Lead Engineer role. Show us why you’re the perfect fit for Grant Thornton.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Grant Thornton UK
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
As a Lead Engineer, you’ll need to demonstrate your engineering depth. Brush up on your experience with Python and C# .Net, and be ready to discuss specific projects where you've shipped production-grade software. Show them you understand AI tooling and can talk about it confidently.
✨Showcase Your Mentoring Skills
Since mentoring is a key part of the role, think of examples where you've guided other engineers. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve helped others improve their craft and judgement, especially in using AI tools. This will highlight your leadership potential.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
You’ll need to translate technical jargon into business language for senior stakeholders. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. Use examples from your past experiences where you successfully communicated with non-technical team members.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to face hypothetical scenarios during the interview. Prepare to discuss how you would approach common challenges in an AI-native environment. Think about how you would keep technical debt visible and manage delivery pace while ensuring quality.
