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 generous holiday allowance.
- 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 70000 - 90000 £ 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).
- Brought 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 employer: IG KnowHow
IG Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets collaboration. As a Senior Java Engineer in our AI Enablement team, you'll benefit from a competitive salary, flexible benefits, and a strong focus on employee growth through initiatives like unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning and diverse employee-led networks. Our hybrid working model promotes work-life balance while fostering a culture of hands-on learning and measurable impact, making IG Group a rewarding place to advance your career in the FinTech sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Java Engineer - AI Enablement
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at IG Group on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio of projects that highlight your Java expertise and AI implementations. When you get the chance, share these during interviews to demonstrate your hands-on experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get comfortable with common interview questions related to backend engineering and AI. Mock interviews with friends or using online platforms can help you nail your responses.
✨Tip Number 4
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 at IG Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Java Engineer - AI Enablement
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Senior Java Engineer role. Highlight your backend engineering experience, especially with Java, and any AI implementation you've done. We want to see how you can modernise services and use AI in your work!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about AI in development and how your past experiences align with our goals at IG Group. Let us know how you can contribute to our Service Modernisation & AI team.
Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on projects involving AI tools like Claude Code or GitHub Copilot, make sure to mention them! We love seeing real-world applications of your skills, so include links or descriptions of your work that demonstrate measurable improvements.
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 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 past experiences with modernising production systems and how you've tackled legacy migration strategies.
✨Showcase Your AI Experience
Since AI implementation is a critical differentiator for this role, prepare examples of how you've used AI tools like Claude Code or GitHub Copilot in your projects. Highlight any measurable productivity improvements you've achieved through AI-assisted development.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Collaboration
This position requires working across divisions and time zones, so think of examples that demonstrate your collaborative spirit. Share stories where you’ve successfully worked with others to deliver high-impact solutions.
✨Prepare for Practical Coding Challenges
Expect to face practical coding challenges during the interview. Practice implementing strangler-fig patterns or building CI/CD pipelines with AI assistance. Being hands-on will show your delivery-focused mindset and readiness to write code daily.
