At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to design and scale AI automations that transform lives across Africa.
- Company: Join M-KOPA, a mission-driven company recognised globally for its impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy remote work, professional development, and family-friendly policies.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to positive change.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by improving financial inclusion for millions.
- Qualifications: Experience in building automations and leading teams is essential.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.
We're hiring our first Lead AI Automation Engineer to lead a team that designs, ships, and scales automations and AI agents across M-KOPA. This is a brand‑new team within the business – the tech foundation is already proven, and now we need someone to lead it, scale it, and define what it becomes.
Impact
- Your automations and agents will directly improve how 2,300+ employees work across our global operations.
- We've already helped over 7 million customers access over $2 billion in credit – and the tools you build will help that mission scale further and faster.
- It's your chance to be part of something that's literally transforming lives across an entire continent.
Opportunity
- Mission‑driven engineering: Every automation you build helps internal teams and customer‑facing staff deliver financial inclusion to Africa's Every Day Earners.
- Global recognition: Join a company named by TIME 100 as one of the world's most influential and by the Financial Times as Africa's fastest‑growing for 4 consecutive years (2022‑2025).
- Scale challenges: 2,500+ employees across Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, the UK and Europe – internal teams that can't scale by hiring forever need intelligent tooling that actually works.
- Environmental impact: We're carbon‑negative, having displaced over 2 million tonnes of emissions.
What You’ll Do
At M-KOPA, you’ll lead the AI Ops team from day one – owning delivery, growing the function, and proving the value. Your team builds automations and agents for internal use and serves as internal consultants, helping Software Engineering teams integrate AI into customer‑facing products. Join us in combining cutting‑edge AI tooling with purpose‑driven work that makes digital and financial inclusion possible across Africa.
Your Key Responsibilities
- Lead two AI Ops Engineers – own their delivery, development, and day‑to‑day work.
- Prioritise efficiently – manage competing requests from multiple teams by applying a clear prioritisation framework you’ll help develop and improve.
- Build and ship automations and agents that measurably improve how internal teams and customer‑facing staff work.
- Keep the AI tooling stack healthy as usage scales across 2,500+ employees.
- Stay current on emerging AI tools and technologies – know what’s hype and what’s actually useful.
- Help refine AI training for the wider organisation, including Software Engineering teams.
Technical Environment
- AI & Agentic Frameworks: Claude, Claude Code, Anthropic tooling, LangChain, MCP, Google ADK (or similar agentic tooling).
- Automation & Prototyping: Scripting, workflow tools, AI‑assisted development, rapid prototyping (Vercel/Railway).
- Enterprise Tooling: Identity automation (Entra), internal platforms, Notion, HiBob integrations.
- Existing Foundation: Twelve months of Claude, Notion, HiBob and Entra automations already running in production.
Our Approach
- Build, don't just advise – this is a hands‑on team that ships working automations and agents.
- Prove the value, then expand – start with two engineers, demonstrate impact, grow from there.
- Product‑focused mindset – treat internal teams as customers and build tooling that works.
- Cut through the hype – evaluate emerging AI tools on practical value, not marketing buzz.
What You Need
We're looking for someone with a strong technical background and product‑focused. You won’t be building models – we have Data Science teams for that. You’ll be building agents, shipping automations, and leading a team that makes M-KOPA’s internal operations smarter and faster.
Required Experience
- Hands‑on experience building automations – scripting, workflow tools, or AI‑assisted development.
- Hands‑on experience building agents using agentic frameworks – LangChain, MCP, Google ADK or similar.
- Background in enterprise tooling – rapid prototyping tools (Vercel/Railway), identity automation (Entra), or internal platforms.
- People leadership experience – you’ve led or mentored engineers and can own a team’s delivery and development.
Location & Benefits
- Fully remote role within UTC -1 to UTC +3 time zones.
- Work with diverse teams across UK, Europe and Africa.
- Professional development programmes and coaching partnerships.
- Family‑friendly policies and flexible working arrangements.
- Well‑being support and career growth opportunities.
M-KOPA is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained staff. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. M-KOPA explicitly prohibits the use of Forced or Child Labour and respects the rights of its employees to agree to terms and conditions of employment voluntarily, without coercion, and freely terminate their employment on appropriate notice. M-KOPA does not collect or charge any money as a pre‑employment or post‑employment requirement. This means that we never ask for recruitment or processing fees in exchange for offer letters or interviews. Applications for this position will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Shortlisting and interviews will take place at any stage during the recruitment process. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a suitable candidate is selected before the advertised closing date. If your application is successful, M-KOPA undertakes pre‑employment background checks as part of its recruitment process, these include criminal records, identification verification, academic qualifications, employment dates and employer references.
Lead AI Automation Engineer in Cambridge employer: M Kopa
M-KOPA is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead a pioneering AI Automation team that directly impacts the lives of millions across Africa. With a strong commitment to professional development, flexible working arrangements, and a mission-driven culture, employees are empowered to innovate and grow within a supportive environment. Join us in our fully remote role, where your contributions will not only enhance internal operations but also drive financial inclusion for everyday earners across the continent.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead AI Automation Engineer in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those at M-KOPA. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you've built any cool automations or AI agents, create a portfolio or a GitHub repo. This way, you can demonstrate your hands-on experience when you get the chance to chat with hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into M-KOPA's mission and values. Think about how your work can contribute to their goals of financial inclusion and environmental impact. Tailor your answers to show you're on the same page!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of the M-KOPA team.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead AI Automation Engineer in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for AI:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for AI and automation shine through. We want to see how excited you are about the impact your work can have on financial inclusion in Africa!
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your hands-on experience with automations and agentic frameworks. We’re looking for someone who can lead a team and build tools that really make a difference, so be specific about your past projects.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you the perfect fit for leading our new AI Ops team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves.
How to prepare for a job interview at M Kopa
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the AI and automation tools mentioned in the job description, like Claude, LangChain, and Google ADK. Brush up on your scripting and workflow tools too, as you'll need to demonstrate your hands-on experience during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a team, be prepared to discuss your previous leadership experiences. Think of specific examples where you’ve mentored engineers or managed projects, and how you prioritised tasks effectively to meet deadlines.
✨Understand the Company’s Mission
Familiarise yourself with M-KOPA's mission of financial inclusion and their impact across Africa. Be ready to explain how your work in AI automation can contribute to this mission and improve operations for over 2,500 employees.
✨Prepare Questions That Matter
Have insightful questions ready that show your interest in the role and the company. Ask about the challenges the new AI Ops team might face or how success will be measured in the first few months. This shows you’re thinking ahead and are genuinely interested in making an impact.
