Lead Backend Engineer (Python)

digiLab is a formative AI company with world-leading specialists in uncertainty quantification, applied where the stakes are highest and the margin for error is smallest.

Our customers are among the largest and most advanced engineering and science-led organisations in the world, and they're using our technology to tackle some of society's biggest challenges. How do we make fusion energy a commercial reality? Can we drive down the cost of renewable energy and accelerate the transition to a sustainable future? How do we support coral reef restoration, or strengthen Britain's national security? These are just a few of the critical questions our technology is helping to answer.

At the heart of our work is the Uncertainty Engine, digiLab's trustworthy and explainable AI platform, enabling our customers to accelerate innovation, reduce risk, and deliver real value through more confident decisions.

We are looking for ambitious team members to help shape our pioneering technology and tackle some of the world's most impactful problems.

The role

The Lead Engineer role is centred on deep expertise in Python and leadership. The core focus is driving the design and development of our backend systems, establishing and maintaining engineering standards, and supporting a high-performing team. This position operates within a fast-paced, collaborative, and dynamic setting, often engaging with data-intensive and machine-learning-driven environments.

What you'll do

• As a Lead Engineer (Backend) at digiLab, you will be responsible for:

• Leading the architectural design, development, testing, and deployment of backend services for current and future products

• Taking ownership of backend system design, ensuring scalability, security, robustness, and maintainability.

• Designing and implementing cloud infrastructure using Infrastructure as Code (IaC).

• Applying security best practices across backend development, infrastructure, and data handling.

• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, production-ready backend solutions.

• Driving engineering excellence through standards, documentation, code reviews, and reusable patterns.

• Coaching, supporting, and mentoring engineers to enhance team capability and broaden skills across backend and cloud systems.

• Contributing deep expertise in Python and ensuring adherence to clean code and architectural principles.

• Leveraging knowledge of DevOps and MLOps practices to improve system reliability and deployment workflows.

• Championing “Scrum” and playing a key role in refining agile processes and team collaboration.

• Working closely with product management to translate business needs into scalable technical solutions.

• Leading incident investigations, supporting technical debugging, and improving system observability and resilience.

• Ensuring adherence to RESTful API design principles, contributing to API standards and documentation.

• Adopt AI tools to assist and accelerate your work.

Duties may evolve, and you may be asked to take on other reasonable responsibilities within your competence as we grow.

Your Experience

• Degree-level qualification in computer science or a related field.

• Extensive experience in backend software development.

• Expert knowledge of Python.

• Ability to produce logical, consistent, and self-explanatory code.

• Familiarity with Linux, bash, and command-line workflows.

• Hands-on experience with Docker and containerisation technologies.

• Experience with Git/GitHub and industry-standard collaboration practices.

• Strong knowledge of automated testing and the software testing pyramid.

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively in a fast-paced agile team, preferably using Scrum.

• Proven experience managing teams as part of a wider delivery function.

• Experience supporting and developing engineers of varying experience levels, including coaching and mentoring junior/mid-level engineers.

• Ability to work day to day with a high degree of autonomy, while collaborating effectively with other leads across the business.

• A blend of technical expertise, pragmatism and maturity, with the ability to navigate a dynamic environment with shifting priorities.

Nice to have

• A Master’s-level qualification in a STEM discipline.

• Experience with high-performance computing or distributed systems.

• Experience with frontend development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript/TypeScript, React).

• Experience with UI/UX considerations for backend/API design.

• Experience working with modern statistical machine learning and AI technologies (NumPy, SciPy, Pandas).

• Experience with DevOps workflows.

• Experience with PyTorch or other deep-learning frameworks.

• Familiarity with Bayesian statistics or probabilistic modelling.

• Experience with MLOps.

Location:

This role is on-site at our Exeter or Bristol office.

As an ambitious, rapidly-growing start-up, we’re looking for proactive, adaptable people who thrive in a fast-paced environment. Our standard working hours are 9.00–5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, though some flexibility outside these hours may be required to meet business needs.

Our Culture and Values

At digiLab, we're building something we truly believe in, and we're looking for like-minded people.

We foster a culture of innovation, trust, and collaboration. Our values include:

• Creativity & Agility: Encouraging innovation and flexibility in goal achievement.

• Trust & Responsibility: Supporting each other in taking calculated risks for bold innovation.

• Open & Honest Collaboration: Ensuring transparent communication and alignment.

• High-Performance Standards: Continuously challenging ourselves to excel in delivery.

• Value-Driven Work: Regularly assessing our contributions toward company goals.

Benefits:

We value enthusiasm and loyalty, and we’re committed to offering a great work-life balance. Along with the exciting challenges this role provides, we offer a range of benefits including:

• Competitive Salary

• Personal & professional development

• BUPA private health care (via salary sacrifice)

• Company Cashplan

• Cycle to work scheme

• Referral Program

• Regular social events such as pizza nights, kayaking, bouldering and bake offs

Equal Opportunities: digiLab is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are fair, inclusive, and legally compliant. We take equality, dignity, and non-discrimination seriously.

Final Note: We aim to respond to every applicant, but due to high application volumes, we may not be able to respond individually. Thank you for your interest in joining the digiLab team. The information you provide will be stored and used in line with our Privacy Notice.