{"id":3743480,"url":"https://alion.io/job/digilab-lead-backend-engineer-python","title":"Lead Backend Engineer (Python)","company":{"id":155824,"name":"digiLab","domain":"digi-lab.agency","url":"https://alion.io/company/digi-lab","size_band":null,"is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":null},"role":"Backend","role_family":"Backend","seniority":"lead","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Exeter, United Kingdom","Bristol, United Kingdom"],"countries":["GB"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Agile","optional":false},{"name":"Docker","optional":false},{"name":"Explainable AI","optional":false},{"name":"Git","optional":false},{"name":"GitHub","optional":false},{"name":"Linux","optional":false},{"name":"Machine Learning","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"Rest API","optional":false},{"name":"Scrum","optional":false},{"name":"JavaScript","optional":true},{"name":"NumPy","optional":true},{"name":"Pandas","optional":true},{"name":"PyTorch","optional":true},{"name":"React.js","optional":true},{"name":"SciPy","optional":true},{"name":"TypeScript","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-11-04T12:14:55Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-11-04","last_verified_at":"2026-11-06T17:28:31Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":2,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":2},"description":"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.\nOur 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. \nAt 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. \nWe are looking for ambitious team members to help shape our pioneering technology and tackle some of the world's most impactful problems. \nThe role\nThe 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.\nWhat you'll do\nAs a Lead Engineer (Backend) at digiLab, you will be responsible for:\nLeading the architectural design, development, testing, and deployment of backend services for current and future products\nTaking ownership of backend system design, ensuring scalability, security, robustness, and maintainability.\nDesigning and implementing cloud infrastructure using Infrastructure as Code (IaC).\nApplying security best practices across backend development, infrastructure, and data handling.\nCollaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, production-ready backend solutions.\nDriving engineering excellence through standards, documentation, code reviews, and reusable patterns.\nCoaching, supporting, and mentoring engineers to enhance team capability and broaden skills across backend and cloud systems.\nContributing deep expertise in Python and ensuring adherence to clean code and architectural principles.\nLeveraging knowledge of DevOps and MLOps practices to improve system reliability and deployment workflows.\nChampioning “Scrum” and playing a key role in refining agile processes and team collaboration.\nWorking closely with product management to translate business needs into scalable technical solutions.\nLeading incident investigations, supporting technical debugging, and improving system observability and resilience.\nEnsuring adherence to RESTful API design principles, contributing to API standards and documentation.\nAdopt AI tools to assist and accelerate your work.\n\nDuties may evolve, and you may be asked to take on other reasonable responsibilities within your competence as we grow.\nYour Experience\nDegree-level qualification in computer science or a related field.\nExtensive experience in backend software development.\nExpert knowledge of Python.\nAbility to produce logical, consistent, and self-explanatory code.\nFamiliarity with Linux, bash, and command-line workflows.\nHands-on experience with Docker and containerisation technologies.\nExperience with Git/GitHub and industry-standard collaboration practices.\nStrong knowledge of automated testing and the software testing pyramid.\nProven ability to collaborate effectively in a fast-paced agile team, preferably using Scrum.\nProven experience managing teams as part of a wider delivery function.\nExperience supporting and developing engineers of varying experience levels, including coaching and mentoring junior/mid-level engineers.\nAbility to work day to day with a high degree of autonomy, while collaborating effectively with other leads across the business.\nA blend of technical expertise, pragmatism and maturity, with the ability to navigate a dynamic environment with shifting priorities.\nNice to have\nA Master’s-level qualification in a STEM discipline.\nExperience with high-performance computing or distributed systems.\nExperience with frontend development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript/TypeScript, React).\nExperience with UI/UX considerations for backend/API design.\nExperience working with modern statistical machine learning and AI technologies (NumPy, SciPy, Pandas).\nExperience with DevOps workflows.\nExperience with PyTorch or other deep-learning frameworks.\nFamiliarity with Bayesian statistics or probabilistic modelling.\nExperience with MLOps.\nLocation: \nThis role is on-site at ourExeter orBristol office. \nAs 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.\nOur Culture and Values\nAt digiLab, we're building something we truly believe in, and we're looking for like-minded people.\nWe foster a culture of innovation, trust, and collaboration. Our values include:\nCreativity & Agility: Encouraging innovation and flexibility in goal achievement.\nTrust & Responsibility: Supporting each other in taking calculated risks for bold innovation.\nOpen & Honest Collaboration: Ensuring transparent communication and alignment.\nHigh-Performance Standards: Continuously challenging ourselves to excel in delivery.\nValue-Driven Work: Regularly assessing our contributions toward company goals.\nBenefits:\nWe 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:\nCompetitive Salary\nPersonal & professional development\n BUPA private health care (via salary sacrifice)\nCompany Cashplan\nCycle to work scheme\nReferral Program\nRegular social events such as pizza nights, kayaking, bouldering and bake offs\n\nEqual Opportunities:\ndigiLab 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. \nFinal Note:\nWe 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. 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