At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of high-availability systems and drive AI transformation.
- Company: Join Groupon, a marketplace dedicated to empowering local businesses globally.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work options, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while embracing cutting-edge AI technologies.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in engineering with hands-on coding experience, especially in AI.
- Other info: Be part of a culture that values innovation, autonomy, and community building.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Groupon is a marketplace where customers discover new experiences and services every day and local businesses thrive. To date we have worked with over a million merchant partners worldwide, connecting over 16 million customers with deals across various categories. In a world often dominated by e-commerce giants, we stand out as one of the few platforms uniquely committed to helping local businesses succeed on a performance basis. Groupon is on a radical journey to transform our business with relentless pursuit of results. Even with thousands of employees spread across multiple continents, we still maintain a culture that inspires innovation, rewards risk-taking and celebrates success. The impact here can be immediate due to our scale and the speed of our transformation. We’re a "best of both worlds" kind of company. We’re big enough to have the resources and scale, but small enough that a single person has a surprising amount of autonomy and can make a meaningful impact.
This is a technical leadership role in Groupon's core commerce systems handling 200K+ requests per minute, with significant contribution in the AI transformation.
About the Role
Hybrid from Valencia, Madrid, Prague, Warsaw or London. Core Operations Services powers Groupon's global marketplace, managing API gateways, deal catalogs, user identity, and image services across Java, Ruby, and TypeScript stacks. You’ll contribute to the transition to TypeScript and Encore, collaborate across teams, and use AI tools to boost efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
- Shape technical strategy with leadership for high-availability systems.
- Lead cross-team design reviews and migrations to TypeScript/Node.js.
- Use AI tools like Cursor and Claude natively and share best practices.
- Articulate the importance of code quality in business language.
- Optimize strategies to maintain SLOs, observability, and documentation.
Key Requirements
- 5+ years engineering; production at scale.
- Hands-on coding with AI.
- Strong communication for technical/non-technical audiences.
Nice to Have
- TypeScript/Node.js E-commerce or marketplace platforms.
- Java/Ruby and modernization.
- Open source contributions or AI/ML production.
What Success Looks Like
- Architectural decisions that accelerate team velocity.
- Gradual modular migration with planned minimal downtime.
- Increased team awareness and adoption of AI practices.
- Clear docs and alignment with business outcomes.
We Are Interested In experienced engineers who prioritize business context, embrace AI tooling, and deliver reliable systems in a transforming environment.
Groupon is an AI-First Company. We’re committed to building smarter, faster, and more innovative ways of working—and AI plays a key role in how we get there. We encourage candidates to leverage AI tools during the hiring process where it adds value, and we’re always keen to hear how technology improves the way you work. If you’re passionate about AI or curious to explore how it can elevate your role—you’ll be right at home here.
Groupon’s purpose is to build strong communities through thriving small businesses. If all of this sounds like something that’s a great fit for you, then click apply and join us on a mission to become the ultimate destination for local experiences and services.
Lead Software Engineer - Core Operations Services (AI-first, Encore) employer: w Groupon
Contact Detail:
w Groupon Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Software Engineer - Core Operations Services (AI-first, Encore)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry on LinkedIn or at local meetups. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those involving AI and modern tech stacks. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and scenarios. Use mock interviews with friends or online platforms to build confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Software Engineer - Core Operations Services (AI-first, Encore)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for AI: We want to see your enthusiasm for AI in your application! Highlight any projects or experiences where you've used AI tools, as this aligns perfectly with our AI-first approach.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the key responsibilities and requirements mentioned in the job description. This shows us that you understand what we're looking for and how you can contribute.
Communicate Clearly: Since we value strong communication skills, ensure your application is clear and concise. Use business language to articulate your technical experience, making it easy for both technical and non-technical audiences to understand.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our company culture.
How to prepare for a job interview at w Groupon
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in Java, Ruby, and TypeScript, as these are key to the role. Brush up on your coding skills and be ready to discuss how you've used these technologies in past projects.
✨Showcase Your AI Experience
Since this role involves significant contributions to AI transformation, be prepared to share specific examples of how you've integrated AI tools like Cursor or Claude into your work. Highlight any hands-on coding experience with AI.
✨Communicate Clearly
You’ll need to articulate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. Practice explaining complex ideas in simple terms, as this will demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between tech and business.
✨Prepare for Cross-Team Collaboration
This position requires leading design reviews and migrations across teams. Think of examples where you’ve successfully collaborated with others, and be ready to discuss how you can foster teamwork in a hybrid environment.