At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI transformation projects and build innovative solutions for clients.
- Company: Join a certified B Corp with a collaborative and flexible culture.
- Benefits: 28 days leave, flexible working, wellbeing budget, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Work in a hybrid setting with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI development and make a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Strong software engineering skills and experience with AI tools and applications.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 85000 £ per year.
hedgehog lab has built software for twenty years. We're now building our AI practice, and we want one person to own it.
AI is changing how software gets built. We would rather shape that than watch it happen, across our client work and internally.
This is a hands-on role in our architecture function. You go into a client, listen, work out the solution, then build the early versions yourself.
You are an engineer first, who also happens to be good at organisational change and product building.
Your week splits roughly two to three days on client work, the rest on transforming how hedgehog lab runs internally.
Client work is about shaping and contributing to projects, not being locked into one build for months.
Internally, you own our AI transformation: joining up our data and systems, and making our tooling work the way it should.
Why you'd want it
You define what AI development looks like here rather than inherit someone else's playbook.
Real autonomy over the technical agenda.
Genuine variety, because no two client problems are the same, and half your week is spent reshaping how we work.
What You'll Do
- Own a portfolio of AI transformation objectives, across clients and inside the lab
- Go into discovery, look at the problem through an AI lens, then build the early versions yourself
- Set the technical direction and bring colleagues along, so the new ways of working stick
- Own our internal transformation roadmap.
We have around thirty AI initiatives to run across the business.
You prioritise them, take ownership, and drive them to delivery on timelines the board can back
- Move between the keyboard and the boardroom, translating between technical and business audiences
- What Good Looks Like
Six months in, you are working directly with clients, building the solutions they came to us for.
Internally, you have given the board a clear plan for our AI transformation. Initiatives are owned, timelines are set, and you are driving them to done.
- What Comes With The Role
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- 5 Impact Days for learning, innovation or volunteering
- Flexible working environment
- Enhanced parental leave
- Annual wellbeing budget plus 2 wellbeing days
- Mental health support
- Company Mac
- What You'll Bring
- Essential. The heart of the role, and where your strongest experience needs to be:
- Strong grasp of software engineering workflows built around gen-AI
- Solid hands-on experience with agentic coding tools
- You have built applications that interact with LLMs via APIs, as contributor and leader
- A track record of embedding AI practices in a team by experimenting, guiding and supporting people
- Technical team leadership
- Versatile software development (Python, AWS, Java Script/Type Script and similar)
- Architectural solution design
Also important. You will use these day to day, even if they are not your headline strength:
- Organisational programme management
- Agile delivery
- Stakeholder reporting
- Strategic thinking and planning
Who We Are
We make digital products that help clients do what they set out to do. We do our best work when the problem is hard and the constraints are real.
We are a certified B Corp with a Flexa-certified culture, with offices in Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester and London.
Our work speaks for itself.
You can see some of it here.
Where you'll be based
Hybrid: home, office, or a mix. We just ask that you are within 50 miles of one of our offices: Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester or London.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
AI Lead in Leeds employer: hedgehog lab
As an AI Transformation Architect, you'll join a forward-thinking company that prioritises innovation and employee autonomy. With a flexible hybrid working environment across major UK cities, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of AI development while enjoying generous benefits like 28 days of annual leave, wellbeing support, and dedicated Impact Days for personal growth. This is a place where your contributions are valued, and you can truly make a difference in both client projects and internal practices.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land AI Lead in Leeds
✨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 hedgehog lab 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 hedgehog lab.
✨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 hedgehog lab.
✨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 hedgehog lab 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 AI Lead in Leeds
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 hedgehog lab.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at hedgehog lab 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 hedgehog lab
✨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 hedgehog lab 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.
