At a Glance
- Tasks: Tackle challenging technical problems and lead innovative AI projects for the public sector.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking tech company dedicated to impactful AI solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, remote work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with a focus on collaboration and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI while mentoring the next generation of engineers.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in engineering with strong skills in AI/ML and system design.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Global Public Sector Scale’s rapidly growing Global Public Sector team is focused on using AI to address critical challenges facing the public sector around the world. Our core work consists of:
- Creating custom AI applications that will impact millions of citizens
- Generating high-quality training data for national LLMs
- Upskilling and advisory services to spread the impact of AI
We are hiring a Principal Engineer to join a small team of our most senior engineers who take on the problems no one else can. You will work at the earliest stage of our engagements: shaping the technical approach with clients, defining the technology we build on, and turning ideas into working prototypes fast. You will step in when a project is stuck or a problem is unusually hard, and turn what you learn in the field into shared capabilities every team can build on.
This is a very senior, hands-on role. Our engineering organisation is young, so mentoring is a core part of the job: you will raise the bar for how we design, build and deliver, and grow the next generation of technical leaders around you. The role is based in London.
At Scale, we’re not just building AI solutions, we are building repeatable blocks to enable the public sector to transform their operations and better serve citizens through cutting-edge technology. If you’re ready to shape the future of AI in the public sector and be a member of our rapidly expanding team, we’d love to hear from you.
You will:
- Take on the hardest technical problems across our programs, stepping in where projects are stuck or the path forward is unclear
- Lead the technical side of early engagements: work with clients to scope problems, shape proofs of concept and keep the scope needed to prove value as small as possible
- Build working prototypes quickly, from AI agents and evaluation pipelines to data and knowledge systems, and take the most promising ones to production
- Define the technology and architecture our solutions are built on, keeping them cohesive, secure and reusable across clients
- Mentor engineers across a young organisation through pairing, design and code reviews, and set the bar for engineering excellence
- Partner with Directors, VPs and client executives to navigate high-stakes business and technical trade-offs, including travel to client sites as engagements require
- Turn patterns from the field into reusable capabilities, contributing components back to our core platform so every engagement starts further ahead
- Lead from the front on agentic engineering, both in the AI systems we build and in how our teams use coding agents day to day, and push the boundaries of what’s possible with AI
Ideally you’d have:
- A strong engineering background, with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics or a related quantitative field (or equivalent practical experience)
- 10+ years of post-graduation engineering experience, with demonstrated proficiency in languages such as Python, TypeScript/JavaScript, Java, or C++
- 5+ years of experience applying AI/ML in production environments, such as building generative/agentic AI applications, RAG systems or evaluation pipelines
- Strong problem-solving skills, with a track record of taking ambiguous, early-stage problems from a blank page to a working prototype and into production
- Deep expertise in system design and architecture, including experience with cloud-based machine learning tools and platforms (e.g. AWS, GCP, Azure)
- Experience mentoring engineers and raising the technical bar of a team or organisation
- Comfort working directly with clients, from their engineering teams to senior executives
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills to collaborate effectively in a cross-functional environment
Nice to haves:
- Past experience in a forward deployed engineering role
- Experience working at a startup, particularly as a founding engineer
- Experience building and deploying large-scale AI solutions
- Experience delivering technology programs for governments or regulated industries
- Experience deploying solutions on-prem or in customer-controlled environments
- Current or previous UK government security clearance (e.g. SC or DV)
Principal Software Engineer, GPS in London employer: Scale AI
At Scale, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration among software and ML engineers. Our London-based team is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of AI technology while providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development, ensuring that every employee can contribute meaningfully to impactful projects. With a commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity, we create an environment where everyone can thrive and bring their whole selves to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer, GPS 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 Scale AI 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 Scale AI.
✨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 Scale AI.
✨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 Scale AI 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 Principal Software Engineer, GPS 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 Scale AI.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Scale AI 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 Scale AI
✨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 Scale AI 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.
