At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering and AI initiatives, transforming investment platforms with cutting-edge technology.
- Company: Top buy-side investment firm in London, focused on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a small, senior team and drive technological evolution.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI development in finance and make a significant impact.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in engineering leadership, .NET, and AI tools.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 130000 € per year.
Leading Buy-Side Investment Firm | London | 12 Months contract position
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
- Productionize existing PoCs (unit test generation, codebase documentation, ADO-to-GitHub automation)
- Build AI-native delivery model reducing external supplier dependency
- MCP & Integration Architecture
- 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.
Essential:
- Strong track record building and running proprietary applications in financial services
- 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
Head of Engineering and AI in London employer: McCabe & Barton
Join a leading buy-side investment firm in London as the Head of Engineering and AI, where you will be part of a dynamic and innovative work culture that prioritises engineering excellence and AI-driven solutions. The firm offers exceptional employee growth opportunities through hands-on leadership roles, fostering a collaborative environment that encourages creativity and technical evolution. With a focus on modern application architecture and a commitment to reducing external dependencies, this role provides a unique chance to shape the future of investment technology while ensuring compliance in a fast-paced, FCA-regulated environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Engineering and AI in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and tech sectors. Attend meetups or webinars related to AI and engineering. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving AI and proprietary applications. This is your chance to demonstrate your hands-on experience and modern application architecture knowledge.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and leadership experiences. Be ready to discuss how you've driven transformation in previous roles, particularly with AI-augmented delivery and reducing external dependencies.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals like you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Engineering and AI in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Engineering and AI role. Highlight your hands-on experience in building proprietary applications and your deep .NET background, as these are key to catching our eye.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to show us your personality and passion for the role. Share specific examples of how you've driven AI-augmented development and led engineering teams, making it clear why you're the perfect fit for this position.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t shy away from listing your technical proficiencies! We want to see your fluency in .NET, Python, TypeScript, and SQL, along with any hands-on experience with AI tooling like Claude Code. This will help us understand your capabilities right off the bat.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team. Plus, it’s super easy!
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
As a Head of Engineering, your leadership approach is crucial. Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading senior teams and managing supplier relationships. Discuss how you set engineering standards and foster a code review culture.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be prepared to tackle hypothetical scenarios related to application architecture and AI integration. Think about how you would handle legacy components and drive technical evolution while ensuring compliance in a regulated environment.
✨Prepare Questions That Matter
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions about the firm’s current projects, their approach to AI-augmented delivery, and how they envision the future of their proprietary applications. This shows your genuine interest and strategic thinking.
