At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering and AI initiatives, transforming investment platforms with cutting-edge technology.
- Company: Join a top buy-side investment firm focused on innovation and excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with a senior team and reduce reliance on external suppliers.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving AI-augmented development in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven engineering leadership, strong .NET background, and hands-on AI tooling experience.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 130000 £ per year.
The Opportunity
Join a leading buy-side investment firm as Head of Engineering and AI, taking ownership of proprietary investment and operations platforms while driving the transformation to AI-augmented development. This is a hands-on leadership role for an engineering leader who treats software as a craft, has strong opinions on modern application architecture, and is energized by building AI-native delivery capabilities.
What You'll Own
- Proprietary Applications
- Lifecycle ownership of core investment and operations systems
- Application portfolio including architecture, technical roadmap, framework modernization
- Decommissioning legacy components and driving technical evolution
- AI-Augmented Delivery
- Drive adoption of Claude Code, agentic pipelines, and AI-generated testing across the development lifecycle
- Build MCP connector layer exposing proprietary systems to firm's AI estate
- Implement governance, audit trails, and access controls
- Enable secure, governed AI integration with core platforms
- Team & Supply Model
- Lead small senior in-house engineering squad augmented by selected contractors
- Set engineering standards, code review culture, and delivery cadence
- Reduce dependency on external development suppliers through AI-augmented in-house capability
- Governance & Audit Readiness
- Ensure institutional investor scrutiny standards met
- AI code provenance, container hardening, change control, full audit trails
- FCA regulated environment compliance without slowing delivery
We’re Looking For
- An engineering leader who has done the work, not just managed it.
- Strong track record building and running proprietary applications in financial services
- Experience of managing onshore and offshore teams.
- Deep .NET background with modernization programme experience
- Multi-language fluency - .NET, Python, TypeScript, SQL
- Hands-on AI tooling experience - Claude Code, Cursor, or equivalent AI-native development tools with clear POV on effective use
- MCP, agent frameworks, or LLM integration - practical production experience
- Cloud & data platforms - Azure and Databricks fluency
- Team leadership - experience leading small senior teams and managing supplier relationships
- In-house ownership bias - proven track record reducing external dependency for critical IP
- FCA regulated environment - judgement to maintain compliance without blocking velocity
Interim Head of Engineering and AI employer: McCabe & Barton
Join a dynamic and innovative buy-side investment firm that prioritises engineering excellence and AI integration, offering a collaborative work culture where your expertise will directly influence proprietary investment platforms. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to lead a talented in-house engineering team while driving cutting-edge technology initiatives in a FCA regulated environment, ensuring both compliance and rapid delivery. Enjoy the unique advantage of working in a forward-thinking firm that values craftsmanship in software development and fosters an environment of continuous learning and professional advancement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Head of Engineering and AI
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering and AI space. Attend industry meetups or webinars, and don’t be shy about sharing your interest in the Head of Engineering and AI role. You never know who might have a lead or insight that could help us land that job.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your past projects, especially those involving proprietary applications or AI tools. This is your chance to demonstrate your hands-on experience and how you’ve driven technical evolution in previous roles. We want to see your craft in action!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview like it’s the final exam! Research the company’s current tech stack and think about how you can contribute to their AI-augmented delivery. Be ready to discuss your opinions on modern application architecture and how you’ve led teams in the past. We need to show them we’re the right fit!
✨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 our team. Let’s make sure we stand out from the crowd!
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Head of Engineering and AI
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Craft:When writing your application, let us see your passion for software as a craft. Share specific examples of how you've built and improved proprietary applications, especially in financial services. We want to know what makes you tick!
Be Hands-On:We’re looking for someone who’s not just managed teams but has rolled up their sleeves and done the work. Highlight your hands-on experience with AI tools and modern application architecture. Show us that you’ve been in the trenches!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure your application speaks directly to the role. Use keywords from the job description, like 'AI-augmented delivery' and 'governance'. This shows us you understand what we’re after and that you’re genuinely interested in the position.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at McCabe & Barton
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially .NET, Python, and AI tools like Claude Code. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with these technologies and how you've applied them in real-world scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your approach to leading engineering teams. Share specific examples of how you've built a strong team culture, set engineering standards, and reduced dependency on external suppliers. This will demonstrate your capability as a hands-on leader.
✨Understand the Financial Services Landscape
Brush up on the unique challenges and regulations within the financial services sector. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve navigated compliance issues in previous roles while maintaining delivery speed, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-time scenarios. Think about past projects where you had to make tough decisions regarding architecture or team dynamics, and be ready to explain your thought process and outcomes.
