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 and AI integration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team and drive technological evolution in a regulated environment.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI development in finance and make a significant impact.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in engineering leadership, financial services, and AI tools.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
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
- 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 in London employer: McCabe & Barton
Join a leading buy-side investment firm in London, where innovation meets opportunity. As an employer, we foster a dynamic work culture that values craftsmanship in software development and encourages the adoption of cutting-edge AI technologies. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide ample opportunities for professional development and leadership within a collaborative environment, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in engineering and AI.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim 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 industry events or webinars where you can meet potential employers or colleagues. Remember, sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your past projects, especially those related to AI and engineering. This is your chance to demonstrate your hands-on experience and how you’ve driven transformation in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and leadership experiences. Be ready to discuss how you've built proprietary applications and led teams in a fast-paced environment. We want to see your passion for engineering and AI!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. Let’s get you that interim head of engineering role!
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Head of Engineering and AI in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Interim Head of Engineering and AI. Highlight your experience with proprietary applications and AI tools, and don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills in managing teams and projects.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this hands-on leadership role. Share specific examples of how you've driven transformation in engineering and AI, and how you’ve built effective teams.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:We want to see your technical prowess! Be sure to mention your experience with .NET, Python, and any AI-native development tools you’ve used. If you’ve worked on cloud platforms like Azure or Databricks, make that clear too!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
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 this role involves leading a senior engineering squad, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Highlight your approach to fostering a collaborative environment and how you’ve reduced dependency on external suppliers through effective team management.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills
Think of specific challenges you've faced in previous roles, particularly around modernising legacy systems or implementing AI solutions. Be ready to walk through your thought process and the steps you took to overcome these challenges, showcasing your ability to drive technical evolution.
✨Understand Compliance and Governance
Since this position is in a FCA regulated environment, brush up on compliance standards relevant to financial services. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve ensured governance and audit readiness in your previous projects without compromising on delivery speed.
