Software Engineer II, Agentic AI in Oxford

Software Engineer II, Agentic AI in Oxford

Oxford Full-Time 63000 - 77000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and build AI-powered cybersecurity solutions while collaborating with a dynamic team.
  • Company: Join Sophos, a leading cybersecurity firm protecting 600,000 organisations worldwide.
  • Benefits: Enjoy remote work, competitive salary, bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse, inclusive culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in cybersecurity using cutting-edge technology and innovative practices.
  • Qualifications: Experience in software development, particularly with Python and cloud-native applications.

The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.

About Us

Sophos is a cybersecurity leader defending 600,000 organizations globally with an AI-driven platform and expert-led services.

Sophos meets organizations wherever they are in their security maturity and grows with them to defeat cyberattacks.

Its solutions combine machine learning, automation, and real-time threat intelligence with frontline human expertise from Sophos X-Ops to deliver advanced, 24/7 threat monitoring, detection, and response.

Sophos offers industry-leading managed detection and response (MDR) alongside a comprehensive portfolio of cybersecurity technologies — including endpoint, network, email, and cloud security, extended detection and response (XDR), identity threat detection and response (ITDR), and next-gen SIEM.

Together with expert advisory services, these capabilities help organizations proactively reduce risk and respond faster, with the visibility and scalability needed to stay ahead of evolving threats.

Sophos goes to market with a global partner ecosystem, including Managed Service Providers (MSPs), Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs), resellers and distributors, marketplace integrations, and cyber risk partners, giving organizations the flexibility to choose trusted relationships when securing their business.

Sophos is headquartered in Oxford, U.

More information is available at www. sophos. com.

Role Summary

As a member of the Sophos Agentic AI team, the Software Engineer II designs, builds and supports reliable AI-powered cybersecurity capabilities.

The role applies sound software engineering practices to moderately scoped, varied assignments, collaborating with experienced engineers and cross-functional partners to deliver secure, scalable services and customer value.

  • Work with engineering leads, architects, product management and delivery partners to understand requirements, clarify technical options and contribute to implementation plans.
  • Design, develop, test and maintain cloud-native microservices and REST APIs using Python and relevant frameworks such as Fast API , Fast MCP and Temporal.
  • Contribute to LLM-powered applications and the supporting services used to develop, deploy, observe and operate them.
  • Integrate data technologies such as Postgre SQL, Redis and Elasticsearch, following established patterns for performance, reliability and maintainability.
  • Deliver assigned features or components through design, implementation, code review, testing, deployment and production monitoring, seeking guidance for complex or unfamiliar work.
  • Investigate and resolve defects in distributed systems using structured analysis, logs, metrics and appropriate debugging tools.
  • Contribute to containerised and event-driven services using Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines and AWS services.
  • Write clear, maintainable and well‑tested code, and participate constructively in peer reviews and technical discussions.
  • Collaborate with Product Management, Dev Ops, Quality Assurance, security specialists and other developers to manage dependencies and support iterative delivery.
  • Apply secure development, data‑handling and responsible AI practices, including appropriate verification of AI‑assisted outputs and use of approved tools and accounts.
  • Share knowledge with colleagues, contribute to team documentation and provide task‑specific support to less‑experienced team members where appropriate.
  • Keep technical knowledge current in software engineering, cloud technologies, Generative AI and cybersecurity, and suggest practical improvements within the team’s scope.
  • Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
  • Relevant professional software development experience delivering production code within a collaborative engineering environment.
  • Practical development of web services, microservices or REST APIs using Python or a comparable language.
  • Involvement across the software delivery lifecycle, including design, implementation, testing, deployment and operational support.
  • Application of structured problem‑solving to varied technical issues within established engineering standards and practices.
  • Sound Python development skills and the ability to produce readable, maintainable and tested code.
  • Working knowledge of API development and a framework such as Fast API, Flask or Django.
  • Working knowledge of AWS services and cloud‑native application concepts.
  • Working knowledge of Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD and Unix/Linux development environments.
  • Ability to use SQL and data stores such as Postgre SQL or Redis; ability to learn related platforms such as Elasticsearch.
  • Ability to analyse technical information, exercise judgement within defined practices and elevate appropriately when risk or complexity exceeds role scope.
  • Clear written and verbal communication, with the ability to work productively across engineering and product disciplines.
  • Ability to use approved AI‑assisted development tools responsibly, verify generated outputs and protect confidential, customer and personal data.
  • Nice to Have
  • Contribution to Generative AI, large language model or AI‑enabled software solutions.
  • Work with cloud‑native or distributed systems in a cybersecurity, data‑intensive or similarly complex domain.
  • Task‑specific coaching, knowledge sharing or support for peers or less‑experienced colleagues.
  • Knowledge of Temporal, event‑driven architectures or large‑scale data processing.
  • Understanding of AI agent patterns, retrieval‑augmented generation or conversational AI systems.
  • Knowledge of cybersecurity products or concepts such as XDR, MDR, SIEM or SOAR.
  • Familiarity with AI‑assisted coding tools such as Claude Code, Cursor or Codex.

In Canada, the base salary for this role ranges from $86,000 to $144,000.

In addition to base salary, we offer additional compensation including bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits package.

A candidate’s specific pay within this range will depend on a variety of factors, including job‑related skills, training, location, experience, relevant education, certifications, and other business and organizational needs.

What's Great About Sophos?

  • Sophos operates a remote‑first working model, making remote work the primary option for most employees.

However, some roles may necessitate a hybrid approach.

While we are a remote first organization, applicants must have legal authorization to work in the jurisdiction where the position is posted, without requiring employer sponsorship.

  • Our people – we innovate and create, all of which are accompanied by a great sense of fun and team spirit
  • Employee‑led diversity and inclusion networks that build community and provide education and advocacy
  • Annual charity and fundraising initiatives and volunteer days for employees to support local communities
  • Global employee sustainability initiatives to reduce our environmental footprint
  • Global fitness and trivia competitions to keep our bodies and minds sharp
  • Global wellbeing days for employees to relax and recharge
  • Monthly wellbeing webinars and training to support employee health and wellbeing
  • Our Commitment To You

We’re proud of the diverse and inclusive environment we have at Sophos, and we’re committed to ensuring equality of opportunity.

We believe that diversity, combined with excellence, builds a better Sophos, so we encourage applicants who can contribute to the diversity of our team.

All applicants will be treated in a fair and equal manner and in accordance with the law regardless of gender, sex, gender reassignment, marital status, race, religion or belief, color, age, military veteran status, disability, pregnancy, maternity or sexual orientation.

We want to give you every opportunity to show us your best self, so if there are any adjustments we could make to the recruitment and selection process to support you, please let us know.

Data Protection

If you choose to explore an opportunity, and subsequently share your CV or other personal details with Sophos, these details will be held by Sophos for 12 months in accordance with our Privacy Policy and used by our recruitment team to contact you regarding this or other relevant opportunities at Sophos.

If you would like Sophos to delete or update your details at any time, please follow the steps set out in the Privacy Policy describing your individual rights.

For more information on Sophos’ data protection practices, please consult our Privacy Policy Cybersecurity as a Service Delivered | Sophos

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Software Engineer II, Agentic AI in Oxford employer: Sophos

At Sophos, we pride ourselves on being a leading employer in the cybersecurity sector, offering a remote-first work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration among our diverse team. Our commitment to employee wellbeing is evident through initiatives like global fitness competitions, wellbeing days, and continuous learning opportunities, ensuring that our staff not only excel in their roles but also thrive personally. With a strong focus on professional growth and a culture that values inclusivity and community engagement, Sophos is an exceptional place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the fight against cyber threats.

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Contact Details:

Sophos Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Software Engineer II, Agentic AI in Oxford

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 Sophos 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 Sophos.

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 Sophos.

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 Sophos 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 Software Engineer II, Agentic AI in Oxford

Python
FastAPI
Microservices
REST APIs
Cloud-native Applications
AWS Services
Docker

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 Sophos.

Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Sophos 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 Sophos

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 Sophos 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.