At a Glance
- Tasks: Build and deploy AI systems that revolutionise healthcare communication and triage.
- Company: Stealth healthcare AI startup focused on making healthcare accessible.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and remote-friendly work environment.
- Other info: Join a small team where you own projects end to end and drive innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare by automating essential processes for patients.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in engineering, strong Python skills, and experience with distributed systems.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 200000 € per year.
A stealth healthcare AI startup is building agents that can do the work of GPs: diagnose, triage, communicate with patients, and handle the data layers that sit underneath all of it. The mission is blunt - make healthcare accessible by automating the parts that do not require a human. You will be one of the engineers who build the actual system, not a proof of concept. You will deploy it into hospitals and clinics. You will be responsible for whether it works in production, under real conditions, with real patient data. This is a Python-heavy, distributed systems role. It is not a research role and it is not an ML theory role. It is a build-and-ship role in a domain where getting it wrong has consequences.
What you will actually do:
- Deploy and refine AI-driven patient communication and triage systems directly with hospitals and clinics.
- Architect and scale agent orchestration systems built on LLMs and agentic frameworks.
- Build and maintain secure healthcare data layers with low-latency voice and video capabilities.
- Scale distributed systems under real clinical load.
- Work in a small team which means you own things end to end, not hand them off.
What the real challenge is:
Healthcare AI has a gap between demo and production that is wider than almost any other domain. The challenge here is not building something that works in a notebook; it is building something that works reliably in a hospital, handles sensitive patient data correctly, performs under latency constraints, and does not fail silently when it matters most. You need to be comfortable with ambiguity, with incomplete specs, and with the weight of building systems that affect real patients.
What you need:
- 5+ years of senior engineering experience building complex, production-grade systems.
- Strong Python skills — this is the core language, not optional.
- Proven ability to take ambiguous requirements and ship scalable, working solutions.
- Hands-on experience with LLMs, agent-based architectures, or distributed AI systems in production.
- Experience working in healthcare, fintech, or another high-stakes regulated domain is a strong advantage.
- High ownership mentality in a lean team and no one is going to manage your tickets for you.
Stack:
- Python (primary)
- Go, Rust, or TypeScript (secondary and bring what you know)
- LLMs and agentic frameworks
- Distributed systems and cloud infrastructure (AWS or equivalent)
- Low-latency voice and video
- Secure healthcare data layers
What this role is not:
- Not a research or experimentation role.
- Not a large eng team where you own one microservice and nothing else.
- Not a role where the stack is locked and the architecture is already decided.
- Not a role for someone who needs clean, well-defined requirements to get started.
Compensation and setup:
100,000 to 200,000 depending on experience, plus equity. Remote-friendly, full-time, London-based company. The client is in stealth - you will learn more about the company in the first conversation.
Principal Software Engineer employer: Whyhirewrong?
Join a pioneering stealth healthcare AI startup that is revolutionising patient care by automating essential tasks traditionally performed by GPs. With a strong focus on employee ownership and a collaborative work culture, you will have the opportunity to make a tangible impact in the healthcare sector while enjoying competitive compensation, equity options, and the flexibility of a remote-friendly environment based in London. This role offers significant growth potential as you tackle real-world challenges in a high-stakes domain, ensuring that your contributions directly enhance patient outcomes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the healthcare AI space, attend meetups, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving Python and distributed systems. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can do and how you tackle real-world problems.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your Python and system design skills. Practice coding challenges and be ready to discuss how you've handled ambiguity in past projects. We want to see how you think on your feet!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our mission to revolutionise healthcare with AI.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Healthcare AI:When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for healthcare and AI. Share any relevant experiences or projects that highlight your commitment to making healthcare accessible and efficient. We want to know why this mission resonates with you!
Highlight Your Technical Skills:Make sure to showcase your strong Python skills and any experience with distributed systems or LLMs. Be specific about the projects you've worked on and the technologies you've used. We’re looking for hands-on experience, so don’t hold back!
Emphasise Your Problem-Solving Abilities:We love engineers who can tackle ambiguity and turn vague requirements into solid solutions. In your application, share examples of how you've navigated challenges in past projects, especially in high-stakes environments like healthcare or fintech.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get the ball rolling. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Whyhirewrong?
✨Know Your Python Inside Out
Since this role is heavily focused on Python, make sure you brush up on your skills. Be prepared to discuss your past projects and how you've used Python to build scalable systems. Practise coding challenges that involve real-world scenarios, especially those related to healthcare applications.
✨Understand the Healthcare Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the challenges and regulations in the healthcare sector. Knowing how to handle sensitive patient data and understanding the implications of your work can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the high-stakes nature of this role.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
This position requires a knack for taking ambiguous requirements and turning them into working solutions. Prepare examples from your past where you've successfully navigated uncertainty and delivered results. Highlight your ability to think critically and adapt to changing circumstances.
✨Emphasise Team Ownership and Collaboration
In a small team, ownership is key. Be ready to talk about how you've taken charge of projects from start to finish. Share experiences where you've collaborated effectively with others, especially in lean environments, to demonstrate your fit for this role.
