Lead Software Engineer – Python, React & AI

Lead Software Engineer – Python, React & AI

Bristol | Flexible Hybrid Working | £80,000–£110,000 + Bonus + Benefits | Permanent

Intelligent Talent is recruiting experienced Lead Software Engineers (Tech Leads / Technical Lead) for an international professional services organisation expanding its software engineering capability and developing new AI-powered applications.

The focus is on building production software using Python, React, TypeScript and Large Language Models, with increasing investment in agentic AI.

This is a hands-on engineering position. Around 70–80% of your time will be spent building software, with the remainder focused on technical leadership, architecture, mentoring and working with product teams.

If you're a senior engineer who enjoys writing code, solving difficult technical problems and helping other developers improve, this role offers the chance to take ownership of new product development without moving into a predominantly management-focused position.

What you'll be doing

You'll join the internal software engineering function, working on new applications designed to improve how complex legal and document-intensive services are delivered.

The organisation is investing in its own engineering capability, with new Tech Leads taking responsibility for technical delivery and supporting the growth of the teams.

The role involves:

• Leading a scrum team through the design, development and delivery of new software products.

• Remaining hands-on with Python, TypeScript and React, taking features through to production.

• Building applications that integrate LLMs, Generative AI and agentic capabilities.

• Taking ownership of technical design decisions and contributing to wider architecture discussions.

• Working with product owners, users and architects to turn requirements into practical software solutions.

• Mentoring engineers and improving code quality, testing and development standards.

• Taking responsibility for applications beyond deployment, including reliability, maintenance and support.

• Making effective use of AI coding tools such as Claude Code and OpenAI Codex to improve development efficiency.

You'll work closely with an internal DevOps and platform engineering team, so while cloud and infrastructure knowledge is important, the emphasis is on software engineering and product delivery.

Technical environment

The team works primarily with:

• Python for backend engineering

• React, TypeScript and JavaScript for application development

• Microsoft Azure for cloud infrastructure and services

• PostgreSQL and Cosmos DB for data storage

• LLMs and agentic AI, including Claude and OpenAI models

• Claude Code and OpenAI Codex for AI-assisted software development

• Temporal for workflow orchestration

• Terraform and Bicep for infrastructure as code

The engineering challenges include processing large volumes of documents, integrating AI into business applications and ensuring new products are reliable, secure and maintainable.

What we're looking for

We're looking for someone with strong software engineering fundamentals who can combine hands-on development with technical leadership.

The key requirements are:

• Strong experience developing software with Python, React and TypeScript.

• A track record of designing, building and running production applications.

• Practical experience delivering software that uses LLMs or Generative AI in production.

• An understanding of agentic AI, including where it works well, where it doesn't and how to implement appropriate safeguards.

• Experience guiding other engineers, contributing to architecture and setting sensible engineering standards.

• Good knowledge of automated testing, CI/CD, code reviews and secure development.

• Experience developing and deploying applications in a cloud environment.

• The ability to work directly with users, understand requirements and take ownership of technical outcomes.

You should be comfortable coding without relying on AI tools, but also recognise how tools such as Claude Code and OpenAI Codex can improve engineering productivity when used properly.

Experience with Azure would be helpful, although engineers with AWS or GCP backgrounds will also be considered.

Knowledge of Temporal, Terraform, Bicep, graph databases or high-volume data and document processing would also be valuable.

About the organisation

Our client is an established international business operating in professional services, with technology playing an increasingly important role in how its services are delivered.

The internal engineering function is growing, supported by increased investment in AI and new software products.

There are established architecture, cloud and platform engineering capabilities to work alongside, but the Tech Leads will have responsibility for how applications are designed, built and supported.

The business is interested in people who bring strong engineering practices from other sectors. SaaS, fintech and product engineering backgrounds are particularly relevant, and previous experience in legal technology isn't necessary.

Salary, benefits and working arrangements

• Salary: £80,000–£110,000, depending on experience.

• Discretionary annual bonus scheme.

• Pension: 5% employer contribution, subject to a minimum 3% employee contribution.

• Annual leave: 25 days plus bank holidays, increasing with service, with the option to buy or sell additional days.

• Private medical insurance through Bupa.

• Life assurance of up to four times salary and income protection cover.

• £300 annual wellbeing allowance, employee assistance programme and additional health and lifestyle benefits.

• Professional development and learning opportunities.

Benefits are subject to scheme terms and eligibility.

Hybrid working: The technology team typically works around two days per week in the Bristol office, with flexibility around attendance and scope for individual arrangements.

If you're an experienced Lead Software Engineer or Tech Lead / Technical Lead who wants to remain hands-on while taking greater ownership of engineering delivery, we'd be happy to share more detail about the team, technology and products being developed.