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Python Software Engineer – R&D / AI
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Python Software Engineer – R&D / AI
Location: Cambridge / Hybrid
Onsite: 2 days per week in Cambridge – Wednesday & Thursday
Salary: £55,000–£65,000 depending on experience
Employment: Permanent
The Opportunity
We are working with a leading technology organisation that is significantly expanding its R&D engineering capability following increased investment in its AI-driven product portfolio.
They are looking for talented Python Software Engineers who enjoy solving complex technical problems, experimenting with new ideas and building high-quality software within a genuine R&D environment.
This isn't a traditional maintenance-focused development role. Engineers are encouraged to prototype, experiment, challenge existing approaches and take ownership of technical problems from initial concept through to production.
What You'll Be Doing
- Design, develop and maintain software primarily using Python.
- Take ideas from early prototype through to production-quality solutions.
- Solve complex and unfamiliar technical problems within an R&D environment.
- Build new functionality across AI-driven products and services.
- Develop clean, maintainable and well-tested software.
- Work across backend services, APIs and distributed/cloud-based systems.
- Use technologies including Docker, Kubernetes and cloud platforms.
- Consider the full engineering lifecycle – how solutions are built, tested, maintained, scaled and shipped.
- Collaborate with talented engineers and other technical specialists.
- Take ownership of technical challenges and contribute to engineering decisions.
- Experiment with new approaches and challenge assumptions where appropriate.
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What We're Looking For
We're particularly interested in candidates with strong engineering fundamentals and problem-solving ability. You should ideally have:
- Strong programming fundamentals and hands-on experience with Python.
- Experience building applications, services or software products.
- Strong analytical and logical problem-solving skills.
- The ability to work through unfamiliar technical challenges.
- Understanding of software engineering principles, testing and maintainable code.
- Exposure to Docker/containerisation.
- Exposure to cloud technologies and modern development environments.
- An understanding of APIs, backend development or distributed systems.
- The ability to work autonomously while collaborating effectively with other engineers.
- Genuine technical curiosity and an interest in understanding how things work.
- Experience with additional languages such as C++, C#, Java, JavaScript/TypeScript or Rust would also be beneficial.
Your Background
Previous cybersecurity experience is not required. We are interested in strong software engineers and technically minded problem-solvers from a range of industries. Relevant academic backgrounds could include:
- Computer Science
- Software Engineering
- Electronic / Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Other technical or STEM disciplines
We are also very interested in candidates who have transitioned from traditional engineering disciplines into software development.
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The Person
This environment is particularly well suited to someone who:
- Enjoys difficult technical problems.
- Is naturally curious and wants to understand how systems work.
- Doesn't need every problem broken down into step-by-step instructions.
- Takes ownership and demonstrates initiative.
- Enjoys experimenting and prototyping.
- Learns new technologies quickly.
- Can explain their technical reasoning clearly.
- Wants their contribution to have a visible impact.
- Enjoys working alongside other highly capable engineers.
Technical Environment
Python | Backend Engineering | APIs | Docker | Kubernetes | Cloud | SaaS | Distributed Systems | Linux | CI/CD
Interview Process
The process consists of two stages.
Stage 1 – Technical Interview
A technical assessment focused on:
- Python coding
- Problem solving
- Algorithms and logical reasoning
- Software engineering fundamentals
- Discussion around previous technical projects and engineering decisions
Stage 2 – Final Interview
A further discussion covering technical capability, engineering mindset, motivation and overall fit with the R&D environment.
Why Consider It?
This is an opportunity to join a highly technical R&D environment working at the intersection of software engineering, AI and cybersecurity.
You'll have the opportunity to solve challenging engineering problems, build new technology and contribute directly to a rapidly developing AI-focused product portfolio.
Please do send across to me the most up to date CV to eobiechefu@welovesalt.com
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