Lead Developer

Lead Developer (AI & Product Engineering) Contract Type

Permanent Full-Time

Location

London (Hybrid Working)

Closing Date

31 May 2026

About the Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Lead Developer to join a small innovation team responsible for bringing in-house a cutting-edge, AI-driven music and language learning and analytics product.

This role will focus on reviewing, enhancing, and productionising an existing pilot codebase, while helping to define and deliver a roadmap of new, innovative features. You will work closely with AI specialists, DevOps engineers, and data teams to shape a modern, AI-first development approach.

As part of this role, you will help establish and lead the transition towards AI-assisted software development practices within the team.

Reporting to the Head of Product Engineering, you will also play a key role in supporting and guiding offshore development teams working on related core products, ensuring consistent engineering standards, architecture principles, and delivery practices across the wider organisation.

About You

We are looking for a highly experienced and hands-on Lead Developer with strong technical leadership skills and a passion for AI-driven product development.

Technical Skills & Experience

• Strong hands-on experience building production software using AI-assisted development tools
• Expert-level experience with ReactJS and Next.js
• Strong UI development expertise with a focus on Tailwind CSS (essential)
• Full-stack development experience, including both SQL and NoSQL databases (e.g. DynamoDB)
• Experience designing scalable, production-grade software architectures
• Familiarity with Auth0 authentication systems (advantageous)
• Experience with Ant Design component libraries (advantageous)
• Exposure to DevOps practices and tooling (advantageous)
• Experience with data modelling and data-driven products (advantageous)

Leadership & Delivery

• Strong technical leadership ability with experience guiding engineering teams
• Proven ability to influence technical direction and drive engineering standards
• Comfortable working with both local and offshore development teams
• High level of autonomy and ownership in decision-making and delivery
• Experience working in fast-paced, evolving technical environments

Problem Solving & Communication

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to work through complex systems
• Ability to improve and stabilise existing codebases while driving innovation
• Excellent communication skills, able to engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Confident in explaining design decisions and aligning teams on technical direction

Key Responsibilities

• Review, improve, and productionise an existing AI-driven product codebase
• Lead the technical development of new product features and enhancements
• Drive the adoption of AI-first development practices within the engineering team
• Collaborate with AI, DevOps, and Data teams to deliver scalable solutions
• Define and maintain engineering standards, architecture principles, and best practices
• Support and guide offshore engineering teams to ensure consistency in delivery
• Contribute to product roadmap planning and technical decision-making
• Ensure high-quality, scalable, and maintainable software delivery
• Troubleshoot complex technical challenges across the full stack

Benefits

A supportive, innovative, and inclusive working environment is offered, along with a competitive benefits package designed to support wellbeing, development, and work-life balance.

Diversity & Inclusion

The organisation is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. Applications are welcomed from candidates of all backgrounds and abilities.

Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process, and accessibility and fairness are prioritised at every stage.

Additional Information

• Applications may close early if a high volume of interest is received
• Applicants must have the right to work in the UK
• This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship
• All appointments are subject to standard pre-employment and background checks
• Personal data will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection regulations and retained only for a limited period unless consent is provided for extension