At a Glance
- Tasks: Modernise legacy services and build AI-powered development infrastructure.
- Company: Join a leading FTSE250 FinTech company revolutionising trading platforms.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, private medical cover, gym contributions, and 28 days holiday.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with a focus on collaboration and continuous learning.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI in finance and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: 8+ years Java experience and hands-on AI implementation skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
IG Group is a FTSE250 FinTech company building mobile, web and desktop platforms for trading. We are forming a Service Modernisation & AI team to pioneer AI‑first development practices in financial services.
About the Team
You will join a small squad of 5–6 senior engineers and an embedded architect, scaling with contractors as needed.
Responsibilities
- Service Modernisation (50%)
- Modernise legacy services using AI: analyse codebases, understand dependencies, extract clean APIs.
- Work on high‑impact legacy services that block delivery speed.
- Implement strangler‑fig patterns and other proven migration approaches.
- Deliver modernised services with comprehensive tests, documentation, and multi‑instance deployment.
- Complete modernisations in fast cycles with monthly milestones.
- Use AI to accelerate analysis, refactoring, testing, and documentation.
- Hand off modernised services to Platform Services or divisions with clear ownership.
- Demonstrate measurable improvements: faster APIs, better performance, higher reliability.
- AI Implementation & Automation (50%)
- Build AI‑powered development infrastructure.
- Implement Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers for service discovery, dependency mapping, and architecture compliance.
- Create AI‑assisted CI/CD pipelines with automated code review, security scanning, and test generation.
- Build automation using Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, and LLM APIs.
- Develop reusable AI tooling for other engineers.
- Use AI for all coding tasks: refactoring, test creation, documentation, debugging.
- Document patterns and share learnings.
- Train teams during service handoffs on AI‑enabled workflows.
- Demonstrate when to use AI vs human judgment.
Qualifications
- Backend Engineering
- 8+ years of software engineering with Java backend expertise.
- Experience modernising production systems at scale.
- Strong API design and microservices architecture knowledge.
- Understanding of strangler‑fig patterns, service decomposition, and legacy migration strategies.
- AI/LLM Implementation (Critical Differentiator)
- Hands‑on experience building with Model Context Protocol (MCP).
- Demonstrated use of Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, or similar AI development tools in production.
- Experience implementing AI in CI/CD pipelines (code review, testing, security scanning).
- Built agentic AI solutions or AI‑powered automation tools.
- Understanding of prompt engineering, model selection, and LLM capabilities/limitations.
- Proven AI Impact
- Achieved measurable productivity improvements using AI in development.
- Implemented AI‑assisted refactoring, test generation, or documentation at scale.
- Experience with AI code analysis and automated remediation.
- Track record of shipping production systems built with AI assistance.
Culture & Leadership Style – What Matters Most
- Delivery‑focused: Ship working modernised services, not just build tools.
- Hands‑on: Write code daily, not just architect or advise.
- Pragmatic: Use AI to go faster, not to be clever.
- Teacher through doing: Others learn by seeing your PRs and shipped work.
- Measurement‑driven: Track AI productivity gains and share data.
- Collaborative: Work across divisions and time zones professionally.
Work Model
Hybrid working model with three days in the office.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and flexible benefits package (12%).
- Private medical cover for you and your family.
- Life insurance.
- Gym membership contributions.
- 25 days holiday plus one birthday day and two additional days for voluntary work (28 days total).
- Option to buy or sell holiday days.
- Unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning.
- Onboarding process.
- Employee‑led networks (LGBTQ+, Women’s, Black, Parents & Carers) with budget for events.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental pay and leave.
- ESG initiatives through IG Brighter Future Fund.
Diversity & Inclusion
We believe diversity is vital to success. We encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Senior Java Engineer - AI Enablement in London employer: IG KnowHow
IG Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets collaboration. As a Senior Java Engineer in the AI Enablement team, you'll be at the forefront of modernising financial services with cutting-edge AI technologies, while enjoying a competitive salary, flexible benefits, and ample opportunities for professional growth. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, along with a supportive culture that values hands-on learning and measurable impact, IG Group is dedicated to fostering a rewarding career for its employees.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Java Engineer - AI Enablement in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech world, especially those in FinTech or AI. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral that could land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your Java projects, especially any AI implementations or modernisation work. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the technical interview! Brush up on your coding skills and be ready to discuss your experience with AI tools like Claude Code or GitHub Copilot. Practice common algorithms and system design questions to impress the interviewers.
✨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 our team at IG Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Java Engineer - AI Enablement in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the job description. Highlight your Java backend expertise and any experience with AI tools like Claude Code or GitHub Copilot. We want to see how your skills align with our mission of modernising services!
Showcase Your Projects:Include specific examples of projects where you've implemented AI in development. Whether it’s refactoring, test generation, or building CI/CD pipelines, we love seeing measurable impacts from your work. Don’t hold back on the details!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for AI and how you’ve used it to drive productivity. Let us know why you’re excited about joining our Service Modernisation & AI team at IG Group.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at IG KnowHow
✨Know Your Java Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Java skills, especially around backend engineering and API design. Be ready to discuss your experience with modernising production systems and how you've tackled legacy migration strategies in the past.
✨Showcase Your AI Experience
Prepare to talk about your hands-on experience with AI tools like Claude Code or GitHub Copilot. Highlight specific projects where you've implemented AI in CI/CD pipelines or built agentic AI solutions, as this will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Demonstrate a Delivery-Focused Mindset
During the interview, emphasise your delivery-focused approach. Share examples of how you've shipped working modernised services rather than just building tools. This aligns perfectly with the company's culture and expectations.
✨Be Ready to Teach and Collaborate
Since the role involves training teams and sharing learnings, think of ways you've taught others through your work. Prepare to discuss how you've collaborated across divisions and time zones, showcasing your ability to work well in a team environment.
