At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build machine learning systems for Hopper's pricing engine.
- Company: Join a well-funded startup reshaping travel experiences for millions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pre-IPO equity, unlimited PTO, and health insurance.
- Other info: Dynamic teams with open communication and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on pricing strategies and customer experiences.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in ML systems, proficiency in Python, Scala, and SQL.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About the Team
Hopper's Fintech Foundation team sits at the centre of the company's mission: reshaping how more than 100 million monthly active users experience travel. It owns the pricing engine that balances customer demand against financial risk across dozens of partners - including Capital One, Air Canada, and Spirit Airlines. As an ML engineer on this team, you will directly shape how Hopper prices ancillary products in real time and at scale.
About the Role
As a Software Engineer on the Fintech Foundation team, you will design, build, and evolve the machine learning systems that power Hopper's pricing engine. Your work will have direct impact on revenue, financial risk management, and the customer experience across the full partner portfolio. You will work closely with the Data Science, Engineering, and Product teams to deliver pricing solutions that are reliable, scalable, and oriented toward commercial outcomes.
What would your day-to-day look like
- Design and implement automated, reusable training pipelines to ensure consistent, scalable model delivery across the partner portfolio.
- Build ETL pipelines with thoughtful feature engineering to guarantee clean, reliable inputs for pricing models.
- Develop and deploy real-time ML pricing solutions to production, owning the full path from model to live environment.
- Monitor production systems for latency, drift, and training-serving skew, optimising continuously to maintain model integrity.
- Run champion-challenger tests on pricing and product construction levers to surface improvements and respond to shifting market conditions.
- Partner with data scientists, engineers, and product stakeholders to translate business needs into well-scoped technical solutions.
An ideal candidate has
- 5+ years of experience in a similar role, ideally within production ML systems or large-scale pricing platforms.
- Proficiency in Python, Scala, and SQL, applied to production ML systems rather than exploratory work.
- Experience in data modelling, software architecture, and distributed data processing frameworks at scale.
- Deep understanding of ML algorithms and when to apply them in the context of pricing, demand forecasting, or similar commercial domains.
- Strong analytical instincts and attention to detail, with a track record of catching issues before they reach production.
- A product mindset that keeps the customer outcome in view, even when the work is deeply technical.
- Clear, collaborative communication skills that hold up across data science, engineering, and business stakeholder audiences.
Perks and Benefits of working with us
- Well-funded and proven startup with large ambitions, competitive salary, upsides of pre-IPO equity packages.
- Hopper covers 100% of the premiums for the employee for a group insurance plan through Vitality Health.
- Automatic contributions when you start with Hopper through Smart Pension.
- Access to co-working space on demand through FlexDesk AND Work-from-home stipend.
- Carrot Cash travel stipend.
- Unlimited PTO.
- Entrepreneurial culture where pushing limits and taking risks is everyday business.
- Open communication with management and company leadership.
- Small, dynamic teams = massive impact.
Senior Software Engineer - AI Fintech foundation (UK) in London employer: Hopper
Hopper is an exceptional employer that fosters an entrepreneurial culture, encouraging innovation and risk-taking within small, dynamic teams. With a focus on employee well-being, we offer competitive salaries, generous parental leave, and comprehensive health insurance coverage, alongside unique perks like unlimited PTO and a travel stipend. Our commitment to open communication and collaboration ensures that every team member has a direct impact on shaping the future of travel for millions of users.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer - AI Fintech foundation (UK) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, especially those already at Hopper or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could make your application stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio of projects or contributions to open-source, make sure to highlight them. Real-world examples of your work can speak volumes about your capabilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical skills and understanding the business side of things. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with Hopper's mission and how you can contribute to their pricing engine.
✨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 genuinely interested in joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer - AI Fintech foundation (UK) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior Software Engineer role. Highlight your experience in production ML systems and large-scale pricing platforms, as these are key for us.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about AI and fintech. Share specific examples of how you've tackled similar challenges in the past, especially in relation to pricing models and customer outcomes.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t just list your technical skills; demonstrate them! Include projects or achievements that showcase your proficiency in Python, Scala, and SQL, particularly in production environments. We love seeing real-world applications!
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 shows us you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hopper
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Python, Scala, and SQL skills. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these languages in production ML systems, especially in relation to pricing models. Prepare examples that showcase your experience with data modelling and software architecture.
✨Understand the Business Impact
Since this role is all about shaping customer experiences and managing financial risk, think about how your technical work translates into business outcomes. Be prepared to discuss how your previous projects have impacted revenue or improved customer satisfaction.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to talk about specific challenges you've faced in your past roles, particularly around model integrity and production systems. Highlight your analytical instincts and how you've caught issues before they escalated, as this will demonstrate your attention to detail.
✨Communicate Clearly and Collaboratively
This role requires working closely with various teams, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with data scientists, engineers, or product stakeholders to translate complex technical needs into actionable solutions.
