Lead Engineer / Tech Lead – Python, Microservices, CI/CD, AI, ML, Early-Stage Startup. UK

Lead Engineer / Tech Lead – Python, Microservices, CI/CD, AI, ML, Early-Stage Startup, UK

About the Role

A mission-driven, early-stage startup is looking for aLead Engineer / Tech Leadto join its growing team. This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll help shape a cutting-edge AI platform designed to drive real-world behaviour change and improve human performance and wellbeing.

Backed by strong funding, this product-focused team of senior engineers operates in a low-ego, high-collaboration culture. The platform's first focus is on employee wellbeing in high-stress industries—and the mission is just getting started.

You’ll lead a cross-functional team of backend and machine learning engineers, guiding architecture, mentoring team members, and staying close to the code. This is a rare opportunity to build both product and team in a fast-moving environment with purpose at its core.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and mentor a senior engineering team working across backend, ML, and infrastructure.
• Own technical direction for core systems, focusing on scalability, performance, and reliability.
• Write clean, maintainable code and contribute actively to the codebase.
• Define and uphold engineering best practices (code quality, CI/CD, observability, etc.).
• Collaborate closely with the CTO and product team to align technical delivery with strategic goals.
• Continuously improve team operations, development workflows, and developer experience.
• Play a key role in hiring and onboarding as the team grows.

What We’re Looking For

• 7+ years of commercial software engineering experience with a strong backend focus.
• Proven ability to lead engineering projects and/or teams.
• Experience in fast-paced or startup environments.
• BSc in Computer Science, Data Science, or related technical discipline.
• Strong communication skills and a bias toward action.

Technologies You’ll Work With

Experience in some or most of the following:

• Languages/Frameworks:Python, FastAPI, Pydantic, Streamlit (for internal tools)
• Architecture:Microservices, RESTful APIs, async programming
• Infrastructure:Docker, Terraform, GitHub Actions, GCP (preferred)
• Datastores:MongoDB, Redis
• Monitoring/Tooling:Prometheus, Grafana, Sentry

The role is remote with occasional travel

Ready to lead and build with purpose?

If you're excited by the idea of applying your engineering skills to something meaningful, please send your CV to

WMtech

WMtech is trusted by leaders in the Cyber Security, AI and Enterprise Software sectors to advise on talent strategy specifically for Start-Ups. Our clients are heavily VC backed, unicorn status, pre-IPO start-ups with pioneering technology.

WMTech is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor