At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI product development, designing and maintaining scalable backend services.
- Company: Join a cutting-edge tech company in Barcelona focused on AI innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible hybrid work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make an impact in AI by shaping innovative solutions with a skilled team.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in software engineering, strong Python skills, and experience with AI applications.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are looking for a Lead Software Engineer to join our AI Engineering team in Barcelona. This is an exciting opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI-powered software, building reliable, scalable solutions that leverage Python, cloud technologies (Azure/AWS), microservices, and LLM-based applications.
You will be joining a small, highly skilled engineering team, reporting to the Engineering Manager. We have deep expertise in backend development, AI/ML, cloud services, and data engineering, and we would love to speak with you if you have strong skills in Python backend engineering, cloud ecosystems, and AI-driven solution development.
About You – experience, education, skills, and accomplishments
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- At least 7 years of professional software engineering experience, including at least 4 years developing backend systems in Python (APIs, microservices, ETL pipelines).
- At least 5 years of experience working in cross-functional, agile teams, collaborating with Product, Cloud Ops, Architecture, Engineering, and SMEs.
- At least 3 years of experience working with LLMs or agentic AI applications, with demonstrable understanding of their reliability challenges.
It would be great if you also have . . .
- Experience contributing to or defining software architecture for complex systems.
- Experience with AI/ML workflows, such as RAG, vector databases, or evaluation techniques.
- Experience mentoring or providing technical guidance to other engineers.
- Experience working in cloud environments (Azure or AWS), including deploying or integrating backend services.
What will you be doing in this role?
- Scoping and shaping AI platform initiatives for LS&H products, from early concepts through implementation, actively influencing technical direction and strategic decisions.
- Designing, developing, and maintaining backend services, including APIs, microservices, and ETL pipelines running in Azure or AWS.
- Translating ideas, requirements, and problem statements from multiple teams into high-quality, reliable code and working proof-of-concepts.
- Collaborating closely with Cloud Operations, Solution Architecture, Product Engineering, Product Management, and SMEs to understand needs and deliver technical solutions.
- Building and iterating LLM-based or agentic AI applications, ensuring reliability, quality, and awareness of AI limitations.
- Evaluating and integrating with applications written in other languages (e.g., Java, Typescript) when needed.
- Leading the technical approach on assigned work by taking initiative and ownership from design through implementation.
- Testing, validating, and continuously improving solutions through unit tests, automation, and iterative development.
- Progressing projects from initial concept to prototype and contributing to the technical plans needed to move them toward production.
- Working in an agile, fast-paced environment, adapting priorities based on business needs and contributing to a culture of continuous improvement.
About the Team
Our team is part of the LS&H Innovation group, focused on developing AI-driven capabilities across the organization. The immediate team consists of the Engineering Manager and three Lead Software Engineers. We also work closely with Solutions Architects, who play a key role in shaping technical direction and supporting platform development.
We operate within a broader AI Innovation ecosystem that includes multiple software engineering teams and a dedicated Product Management function. Collaboration across these groups is central to how we explore opportunities, build innovative solutions, and accelerate AI adoption across the organization.
Hours of Work
This is a full-time position, primarily working core business hours in CET time zone, with flexibility to adjust to various global time zones as needed. This is a hybrid position working in the office 2-3 days a week.
At the company, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons with respect to hiring, compensation, promotion, training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. We comply with applicable laws and regulations governing non-discrimination in all locations.
Lead Software Engineer - Al Product development employer: United States Digital Space LLC
Join our dynamic AI Engineering team in Barcelona, where innovation meets collaboration. As a Lead Software Engineer, you'll work on groundbreaking AI-powered solutions within a supportive and agile environment that fosters professional growth and encourages continuous learning. Enjoy the unique advantage of being part of a small, skilled team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of technology while benefiting from flexible hybrid working arrangements and a commitment to equal opportunities for all employees.
Contact Details:
United States Digital Space LLC Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Software Engineer - Al Product development
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We think you need these skills to ace Lead Software Engineer - Al Product development
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 United States Digital Space LLC.
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How to prepare for a job interview at United States Digital Space LLC
✨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 United States Digital Space LLC 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.