At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to design and scale AI automations that enhance operations for 2,300+ employees.
- Company: Join M-KOPA, Africa's fastest-growing company, recognised by TIME 100 and the Financial Times.
- Benefits: Enjoy remote work, professional development, flexible hours, and well-being support.
- Other info: Be part of a mission-driven team in a carbon-negative company with global reach.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial inclusion for millions while working with cutting-edge AI technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in building automations and leading teams; strong technical and product-focused mindset.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
We're hiring our first Lead AI 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 we need someone to lead it, scale it, and define what it becomes.
The Impact
- Your automations and agents will directly improve how 2,300+ employees work across our global operations.
- We have helped over 7 million customers access over $2 billion in credit.
- The tools you build will help that mission scale further and faster.
The 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 and 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 need intelligent tooling that actually works.
- Environmental impact: We are 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.
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 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 mindset. 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.
Equal Opportunity Statement
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. M-KOPA does not collect or charge any money as a pre‑employment or post‑employment requirement. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; M-KOPA may close the vacancy early if a suitable candidate is selected.
Lead AI Engineer - Financial Inclusion in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: M Kopa
M-KOPA is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead a pioneering AI team that directly impacts financial inclusion for millions across Africa. With a commitment to professional development, flexible working arrangements, and a diverse, inclusive culture, employees are empowered to grow and innovate in a mission-driven environment. Join us in making a tangible difference while enjoying the benefits of a fully remote role and a supportive workplace that values well-being and career advancement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead AI Engineer - Financial Inclusion in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks 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 that interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by understanding M-KOPA's mission and values. Think about how your work can contribute to financial inclusion and be ready to discuss specific examples of your past projects.
✨Tip Number 4
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 Engineer - Financial Inclusion in Newcastle upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:Let us see your enthusiasm for AI and financial inclusion! Share why this role excites you and how your experience aligns with our mission at M-KOPA.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences. We want to see how you can lead our AI Ops team and make a real impact!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and skills.
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 this exciting opportunity!
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 agentic frameworks mentioned in the job description, like Claude and LangChain. 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. Share specific examples of how you've mentored engineers or managed projects, and highlight your approach to prioritising tasks and managing competing requests.
✨Understand the Company’s Mission
Familiarise yourself with M-KOPA's mission of financial inclusion and their impact on communities. Be ready to explain how your work can contribute to this mission and why it resonates with you personally.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect to tackle practical scenarios or case studies during the interview. Think about how you would approach building automations or integrating AI into existing products, and be ready to discuss your thought process and decision-making.
