At a Glance
- Tasks: Architect and build scalable backend systems while leading a small team.
- Company: Fast-growing AI company in London with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Up to £160K salary, equity, and hybrid work model.
- Other info: Direct access to founders and real impact from day one.
- Why this job: Take ownership of challenging problems and shape the future of AI development.
- Qualifications: 5-8+ years in engineering, strong Node.js/NestJS skills, and AI experience.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
We're a fast-growing AI company in London looking for a Lead Platform Engineer to work under our Head of Engineering and own the build across our stack. You'll be number two to the Head of Engineering, and about 80% hands-on backend. This is a player-coach role, not an engineering manager one. You lead through technical credibility, set the standards, and own delivery without stepping away from code. You'll also help manage remote engineers in India working UK hours.
Agentic AI is core to how we operate: our engineers work alongside Claude Code and AI agents every day, and the product itself runs on agentic pipelines. You need to be native to Claude Code and agentic engineering, not an occasional user of AI coding assistants, and ahead of the curve here, raising the standard for how we build with AI.
What you'll do:
- Architect, design, and build scalable backend systems and APIs end to end
- Design microservice and event-driven architectures for real-time operational workflows
- Lead a small team, drive delivery, review work, own what ships
- Set the standard for agentic AI development, from Claude Code workflows to team-wide patterns
- Shape technical strategy directly with the Head of Engineering
- Maintain secure, performant, reliable systems and data pipelines as we scale
- Get close to the product, understand the workflows you're automating
Requirements:
- 5-8+ years' hands-on engineering, ideally AI, SaaS, or automation platforms
- A first-class or strong degree in CS, Engineering, Maths, or related
- Already a lead engineer, or nearly there, ready to own more
- Deep Node.js/NestJS expertise; strong REST API and microservices experience; Next.js a bonus
- Real, hands-on experience building with LLMs and agents, you use Claude Code and agentic workflows daily, not as novelties
- Startup DNA (or standout performer at a top firm), comfortable making the right call without a committee
- Hungry for ownership over a hard problem and a small team, not a comfortable seat in a big org
- Able to lead engineers while still being the strongest builder in the room
Not for you if:
- You want a 9-5 in a big firm with an established playbook, a pure people-management track, or months of ramp time
- If you see AI coding tools as optional extras.
The stack: NestJS + Next.js, monorepo deployed into microservices, Google Cloud + Kubernetes, Postgres/MongoDB/Qdrant. Built to run agents, not just respond to them.
The deal: Permanent, full-time, hybrid, up to £160K + equity, real ownership from day one, direct access to founders.
Why this role: By month six, you're the go-to for the hardest problems in the business. By month twelve, a meaningful part of the architecture, and the team is yours. If you want to build and lead from day one, this is it.
Lead Platform Engineer in London employer: Nextech Careers
Join a dynamic Managed Service Provider in Ipswich, where you will thrive in a modern office environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a competitive salary and opportunities for training and professional development, this role not only offers meaningful work but also genuine career progression. Enjoy the benefits of free on-site parking and engaging company social events, making it an excellent place to grow your IT support career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Platform Engineer in London
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Nextech Careers or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Nextech Careers.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Nextech Careers.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Nextech Careers that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Platform Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Nextech Careers.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Nextech Careers and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nextech Careers
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Nextech Careers uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
