Technical Lead Python & AI at Nearform | £90k+ UK in Columbus

This is a full-time, permanent opportunity for candidates based in the UK and authorised to work without sponsorship.

This position also requires travel to client sites with travel expenses covered by the company.

About Nearform

Nearform is an independent team of data & AI experts, engineers, and designers who build intelligent digital solutions and capability at pace. We create AI-enabled solutions that enhance digital experiences, empower developers, and deliver measurable results. In these ways, we partner with ambitious enterprises to deliver enduring impact.

Our deep expertise in solving the world's most complex digital problems, along with our collaborative, people-first approach, enables enterprises to build breakthrough products and modernise legacy systems by unleashing the power of AI.

Today, our team of 500 experts in 20+ countries is trusted by leading enterprises including Lululemon, Puma, Sun Life, Starbucks, Travelex, Virgin Media O2, and Walmart.

As part of our Engineering function, you will work closely with clients to translate complex business requirements into innovative digital products. Whether you are a Senior Engineer, Tech Lead, or DevOps Engineer, you will collaborate with distributed teams, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to build secure, high-performance applications. Our Nearform engineers are known for building high quality, scalable solutions that solve real world problems.

About the Technical Lead Role:

As a Technical Lead at Nearform, you will be responsible for leading and guiding development teams while working directly with clients to translate business and technical requirements into impactful applications. Your responsibilities may include:

• Provide technical and line-management leadership to your development team.
• Take responsibility for the successful delivery of projects.
• Identify and resolve blockers before they become issues.
• Ensure best practices in software development, DevOps, and agile methodologies are upheld within the team.
• Work directly with clients, translating requirements into technical briefs.
• Shape and define architectural decisions ensuring scalability, security, and maintainability.
• Provide updates to client and Nearform leadership to ensure clear understanding of project status and drive good decision-making.

What We Are Looking For:

• Significant experience in software engineering and 2+ years of experience leading projects and mentoring as a Technical Lead. For this particular role, we are looking for professional experience in Python.
• Experience with AI application development and Agentic frameworks and platforms (e.g., LangGraph, Agentspace, etc.)
• Experience working directly with clients or customers to understand technical requirements.
• Proven experience working with Kubernetes for container orchestration.
• Strong CI/CD experience, including hands-on work with Terraform, Helm, and other cloud-native IaC technologies.
• Deep understanding of observability practices, with practical experience using OpenTelemetry (OTel) and related tooling.
• Experience leading software engineering teams through technical delivery and either direct line management or mentoring.
• Deep understanding of agile ways of working, best practices and design patterns.
• Deep understanding of test-driven development and testing best practices.
• Deep understanding of version control tools, e.g. Git.
• Understanding of DevOps practices and cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Understanding of operational concerns (such as monitoring, performance testing, security considerations, accessibility, GDPR).
• Empathy and people skills.

Benefits and Perks at Nearform:

• Annual Company Bonus – We all help Nearform hit company goals, so we all receive a share of the profits on an annual basis in line with company performance.
• Work Remotely and Flexibly – We have a genuine dedication to work/life balance. Our flexible working culture allows you to work around what matters – school run, no problem!
• Paid Time Off Package – We offer an annual leave of 25 days plus public holidays. We also offer sick leave, marriage leave and many more.
• Remote Working Allowance – Every 2 years, you will have a budget of up to €1,250 (equivalent in GBP) to help you set up a comfortable and productive workspace, in addition to essential equipment provided by Nearform when you join.
• Training and Development Allowance – Nearform is committed to supporting and investing in employees' ongoing learning and professional development. You will be encouraged to pursue relevant learning opportunities that support your growth and the growth of others, subject to manager approval.
• Healthcare – Additional private healthcare is offered at Nearform. Reach out to our team for more details on the plan.
• Pension & Insurances – We offer a pension match of up to 5%, and Income Protection and Death in Service for peace of mind.

Our Interview Process:

• Talent Call (30 mins via Zoom)
  An initial conversation with a member of our Talent Team to explore your background, leadership experience, and career goals. We'll provide an overview of Nearform, discuss potential alignment, and answer any questions you may have.
• Panel Interview (60 mins via Zoom)
  A conversation with two of our Technical Directors focused on your approach to teamwork, client collaboration, and problem-solving in an enterprise development setting. We'll also share more details about Nearform and the potential projects you may join.
• Technical Lead Assessment (90 mins via Zoom)
  A structured assessment led by a senior Technical Lead or Head of Engineering, designed to evaluate key aspects of a Technical Lead role. This session includes tasks covering:
  • Architecture Design – How you approach a high-level problem, demonstrating design thinking and decision-making.
  • Technical Implementation – How you turn a design into reality, taking into account business needs.
  • Code Standards and Feedback – Not just your own skills, but how you improve those around you.

There may also be an additional interview with the client depending on the project.

Ready to Join Us?

If you're passionate about building high-quality applications, solving complex challenges, and driving innovation in enterprise development, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now via our careers page at Nearform and be part of a team that values technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.

As part of our recruitment process, we conduct manual and electronic identity verification checks to confirm the identity of prospective employees.

Nearform is committed to shaping a better world in all that we do. Our global team is built based on respect, inclusivity, diversity and excellence.

If you require any adjustments to the interview process as part of your application, please let someone from our Talent Team know so they can help.

Our salary range starts from £90,000 + bonus & benefits and will be discussed during the initial interview based on your experience.