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- Tasks: Lead AI engineering projects and develop innovative testing solutions in a remote-first environment.
- Company: Join Virtuoso, a pioneering tech company transforming QA with AI and automation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible working, private health insurance, and a clear career path.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in AI development while collaborating with a passionate team across Europe.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in backend engineering, strong Java skills, and experience with AI systems.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor a high-performance team and grow in a dynamic tech landscape.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
About Virtuoso
Virtuoso is building a QA platform that combines AI with test automation, aiming to make quality a driver of change and growth. The company envisions scalable, low-code/no-code testing in the cloud, with a remote-first culture and teams across Europe.
This role is based remotely in the UK or Portugal.
Role Overview
Lead Principal Software Engineer with deep understanding of the AI landscape to define and build Virtuoso QA’s future Agentic and autonomous testing functionality. This position centers on backend engineering and AI system development in a cloud-native SaaS environment. The core stack is Java and Go, with Vue.js as a plus. The role requires backend system design, distributed computing, and AI integration. You will work remotely with a collaborative team across Europe, including the Lisbon hub, driving innovation and execution along the Agentic AI roadmap.
Key Responsibilities
- Work with the research team and the broader company to strategise, identify, and prioritise what to build.
- Architect and implement backend systems powering Agentic and autonomous capabilities.
- Lead R&D and productization of AI techniques (LLMs, autonomous agents, vector search, orchestration frameworks).
- Translate research and user needs into scalable, production-grade AI features.
- Build and maintain performant microservices using Java in a SaaS context.
- Guide the team in building resilient, observable, and maintainable cloud-based systems.
- Collaborate with product, design, and AI research stakeholders to shape the product roadmap.
- Mentor and grow a high-performance engineering team focused on backend excellence.
- Optionally contribute to frontend feature integration in Vue.js as needed.
What We Would Like To See In You (Qualifications)
- Advanced expertise in Java for backend development.
- Strong knowledge of distributed systems, event-driven architectures, and cloud-native development.
- Hands-on experience with LLMs, RAG, vector databases, and agentic AI frameworks.
- Familiarity with Redis, PostgreSQL, and AWS or containerized services.
- Test automation domain experience is a plus.
- Exposure to Vue.js or frontend development is a plus, but not required.
Competencies
- Strategic Leadership: ability to lead complex technical programs and align engineering with business goals.
- AI Systems Thinking: understanding of AI system behavior, from architecture to prompt engineering and orchestration.
- Technical Authority: sets engineering standards and fosters technical rigor.
- Autonomous R&D: capable of exploring and implementing AI solutions with minimal supervision.
- Team Building & Mentoring: builds strong, motivated teams with growth, ownership, and collaboration.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: effective across disciplines to deliver user-focused, technically sound features.
Qualifications And Experience
- 8+ years of backend software engineering experience, including leading high-performing teams.
- 4+ years in technical leadership or mentoring roles.
- Practical experience in AI/ML system development, especially involving LLMs and orchestration frameworks.
- Experience in cloud SaaS environments with microservices architecture.
- Master’s or PhD in Computer Science, AI, or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
Benefits
- Competitive package, including generous and achievable uncapped commission
- Employee share options
- Defined career path to more senior roles
- Remote/flexible working
- Private health insurance
- Training/personal development budget
- Birthday as a holiday
- Holiday allowance increases with service
- Employee referral scheme
Virtuoso was developed by a team passionate about improving the quality of low-code/no-code test automation software and delivering on the promise of cloud-based, accessible testing.
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Lead AI Engineer employer: Virtuoso QA
Contact Detail:
Virtuoso QA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead AI Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the AI and software engineering space, especially those at Virtuoso. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got projects or contributions related to AI or backend systems, make sure to highlight them in conversations. Real-world examples speak volumes.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical chats! Brush up on your Java and cloud-native development knowledge. Being able to discuss your approach to building scalable systems will impress the team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Virtuoso family.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead AI Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Lead AI Engineer role. Highlight your backend development expertise, especially in Java, and any experience you have with AI systems. We want to see how you can contribute to our vision!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about AI and how your background fits into our mission at Virtuoso. Be sure to mention any relevant projects or leadership experiences that showcase your capabilities.
Showcase Your Projects: If you've worked on any cool AI or backend projects, don’t hold back! Include links to your GitHub or portfolio in your application. We love seeing practical examples of your work and how you approach problem-solving.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be one step closer to joining our remote-first team at Virtuoso. Let’s build the future of QA together!
How to prepare for a job interview at Virtuoso QA
✨Know Your Tech Stack Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in Java and Go, as these are crucial for the role. Brush up on your knowledge of distributed systems and cloud-native development, as you’ll likely be asked to discuss how you’ve applied these in past projects.
✨Showcase Your AI Expertise
Prepare to talk about your hands-on experience with LLMs and agentic AI frameworks. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've implemented AI solutions in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your capability to lead R&D efforts.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working with cross-functional teams, highlight your experience in collaborating with product, design, and research stakeholders. Share examples of how you’ve successfully driven innovation through teamwork.
✨Prepare Questions About Company Culture
Virtuoso values a remote-first culture, so come prepared with questions that show your interest in their work environment. Ask about team dynamics, mentoring opportunities, and how they support professional growth, which will reflect your commitment to being a part of their team.