Lead Software Engineer (Hybrid)
About this role
Developers who thrive in collaborative, continuous-learning environments and enjoy guiding diverse consulting engagements will find a strong fit at 8th Light. Operating as a technology solutions consultancy, the team partners with organizations ranging from early-stage startups to global enterprises to build agentic products, foundational platforms, and robust software architectures.
In this role, the engineer will lead high-stakes client engagements from discovery to production, working across various languages and frameworks while integrating AI and machine learning features into modern systems. Responsibilities include steering architecture discussions, managing project roadmaps, mentoring colleagues, and balancing technical decisions with specific user needs.
Ideal candidates bring substantial software development experience and a knack for navigating technical ambiguity alongside cross-functional stakeholders. The position offers an opportunity to shape durable software outcomes while contributing to an open culture centered on mentorship and hands-on problem solving.
What you will do
- Lead high-stakes consulting engagements from initial discovery through production deployment.
- Write production-quality code across a wide variety of languages and frameworks while leveraging AI-assistive development tools.
- Build and integrate AI and machine learning features, including recommendation engines, natural language processing models, and predictive analytics.
- Drive architecture and software design discussions to address scalability, security, reliability, and performance.
- Manage high-level project roadmaps, prioritize backlogs, and maintain ongoing relationships with client technical leaders.
- Mentor colleagues, share knowledge, and contribute to internal and client-facing workshops or hiring processes.
What you need
- Demonstrate long-term repeated success on various software projects over the course of 7+ years of experience.
- Bring broad and deep technical expertise to make an immediate impact on client projects from day one.
- Possess experience writing production code in languages such as Java, C#/.NET, Python, TypeScript, JavaScript, React, Go, Ruby, Scala, R, and SQL.
- Have hands-on experience building or integrating AI and machine learning features into products or systems.
- Utilize context-appropriate automated testing to inform software design choices and catch bugs efficiently.
- Collaborate effectively using Git, MacOS or Linux environments, and continuous integration and continuous deployment pipelines.
- Communicate empathetically with stakeholders to balance technical considerations with product and user needs.
Nice to have
- Platform engineering experience building reusable software foundations and internal developer platforms
- Data engineering background utilizing platforms like Databricks for data processing and analytics
- Experience delivering production agentic systems, RAG pipelines, vector search, and agentic frameworks
- Familiarity with DevSecOps, DevOps, and Infrastructure as Code
- Experience with MLOps workflows and model deployment
Benefits
- Robust L&D programme featuring unlimited access to thousands of books, courses, and expert-led training on the O'Reilly learning platform
- Annual financial stipend and time allotment for learning and development
- Coworking support for our global team
- 12 weeks of new parent leave available for eligible employees
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What is the remote and hybrid work policy?
Employees working from our London hub follow a hybrid model, which includes a minimum of one day per week in our Waterloo Office. This co-working day is designed to encourage collaboration and further strengthen our community.
What is the salary range for this role?
Our pay ranges for our Lead Engineer position within London is £76,023-95,029 GBP. We benchmark our salaries using Geographic Structures to establish competitive pay ranges within the regions where 8th Lights live.
What technologies and tools will I use?
You will write production-quality code using a variety of languages and frameworks, including but not limited to Java, C#/.NET, Python, TypeScript, JavaScript, React, Go, Ruby, Scala, R, and SQL. You will also leverage AI-assistive development tools and build systems involving the full ML lifecycle.
What professional development support is provided?
Our wellness package includes a robust L&D programme featuring unlimited access to thousands of books, courses, and expert-led training on the O'Reilly learning platform. Employees also receive an annual financial stipend and time allotment for learning and development.