At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build scalable backend systems for AI-driven applications.
- Company: Join Kantar, a leading data and insights company with a creative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hybrid working, competitive salary, and generous leave policies.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for mentorship and career growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI technology and make a real impact on consumer behaviour.
- Qualifications: Strong backend engineering experience and proficiency in TypeScript/Node.js or Python.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 ÂŁ per year.
We go beyond the obvious, using intelligence, passion and creativity to inspire new thinking and shape the world we live in.
As a Senior Software Engineer in our Digital Twins Division, you’ll help build the systems behind one of Kantar’s most ambitious AI products. Your work will enable thousands of AI‑driven “digital twins” to simulate real‑world consumer behaviour in real time, giving brands powerful insight into complex decisions.
This isn’t a traditional full‑stack role. You’ll focus on scalable backend systems, event‑driven architectures, and AI‑enabled platforms, working closely with product, data science and platform teams to turn advanced AI capabilities into reliable, production‑ready systems. Your work will directly shape how clients interact with data and insights at scale.
What you’ll be doing
- Designing and building technology that can grow with our ambition, including:
- Creating scalable, distributed backend services for AI‑driven applications
- Building event‑driven systems that process large volumes of behavioural data in real time
- Developing services in Node.js/TypeScript and/or Python
- Designing APIs that support high‑throughput, low‑latency workloads
- Helping orchestrate and optimise AI agent‑based systems running at scale
You’ll also contribute to technical direction, mentor others, and help us continuously improve how we build and operate our platforms.
The skills & experience you’ll bring
You don’t need to tick every box, but experience in several of the following will set you up for success:
- Strong backend engineering experience with cloud‑based systems (Azure, AWS or GCP)
- Experience designing distributed or event‑driven architectures (Kafka or similar)
- Proficiency in TypeScript/Node.js and/or Python
- Experience building scalable APIs and microservices
- Working knowledge of containers and cloud‑native delivery approaches
- Curiosity about AI‑enabled systems and how they scale responsibly
- Experience with LLMs, AI agent orchestration, or tools such as RAG, vector databases or LangChain is a bonus, but not essential.
What’s in it for you
- Flexible hybrid working
- 25 days leave, 2 days paid for volunteering and life event leave
- Competitive salary and bonus (bonus dependent on role)
- Company pension
- Enhanced parental leave
- Healthcare options
- Wide range of flexible benefits
We are not able to offer visa sponsorship or assist with relocation support for this role. Please ensure you have the right to work in the country where this role is located before applying.
At Kantar we have an integrated way of rewarding our people based around a simple, clear and consistent set of principles. Our approach helps to ensure we are market competitive and also to support a pay for performance culture, where your reward and career progression opportunities are linked to what you deliver.
We want to create an equality of opportunity in a fair and supportive working environment where people feel included, accepted and are allowed to flourish in a space where their mental health and well being is taken into consideration. We want to create a more diverse community to expand our talent pool, be locally representative, drive diversity of thinking and better commercial outcomes.
Kantar is the world’s leading data, insights and consulting company. We understand more about how people think, feel, shop, share, vote and view than anyone else. Combining our expertise in human understanding with advanced technologies, Kantar’s 30,000 people help the world’s leading organisations succeed and grow.
Senior Software Engineer employer: Kantar
Contact Detail:
Kantar Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with folks in the industry! Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone who works at Kantar. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Don’t just talk about your experience; demonstrate it! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving scalable backend systems or AI-driven applications. This will give us a real taste of what you can do.
✨Tailor Your Approach
When reaching out to us, make sure to highlight how your skills align with our needs. Mention your experience with cloud-based systems or event-driven architectures, and show us how you can contribute to our ambitious AI products.
✨Apply Through Our Website
We love it when candidates apply directly through our website! It shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team. Plus, it makes it easier for us to find your application and get back to you quickly.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for technology and AI shine through. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely excited about the role and can articulate why they want to be part of our team.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience that aligns with the job description. Focus on your backend engineering skills, cloud systems, and any experience with event-driven architectures. We want to see how you can contribute to our ambitious projects!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us a bit more about yourself and your journey in software engineering. Share specific examples of your work with scalable systems or AI technologies, and explain how you can help us shape the future at Kantar.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kantar
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Node.js, TypeScript, and Python. Brush up on your experience with cloud platforms like AWS or Azure, as well as event-driven architectures. Being able to discuss specific projects where you've used these technologies will show your expertise.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss how you've tackled complex engineering challenges in the past. Think about examples where you designed scalable backend systems or optimised APIs. This is your chance to demonstrate your analytical thinking and creativity, which are key for a role focused on AI-driven applications.
✨Understand the Company’s Vision
Familiarise yourself with Kantar's mission and how they use data to shape consumer behaviour. Be ready to discuss how your skills can contribute to their ambitious AI products. Showing that you align with their values and goals will make a strong impression.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about their approach to AI agent orchestration or how they envision the future of their digital twins. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.