Junior Software Engineer
Application Deadline: 26 June 2026
Department: Data and Technology
Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract
Location: London
Compensation: £50,000 / year
Description
Salary: £50,000
Bonus: Discretionary
Location: Kings Cross, London (Tuesdays-Thursdays - 3 days in our office, Monday + Friday - anywhere)
Employment Type: 12-month fixed-term contract with the potential for extension or conversion to a permanent role - full time
About ARIA
ARIA is a new kind of R&D funding agency. We fund scientists and engineers to pursue research at the edge of the possible. From climate change to AI, society faces enormous challenges and opportunities that can be uniquely addressed by science and technology. ARIA was created to activate the UK’s world-class R&D in new ways, so we can meet these head on.
We are growing our team to develop bold new approaches that can scale – from programmes to systems, processes and everything in between. If that sounds fun, come and build ARIA with us.
Learn more about how we work here.
Role Summary
To accelerate ARIA’s transition toward frontier operations by replacing or restructuring manual, bottlenecked processes with AI-driven solutions (i.e., workflow automation & AI integration).
This role will act as the technical engine for ARIA’s workflow transformations, turning high-level blueprints into functional digital tools that increase the agency's operational bandwidth. This role will focus on building and integrating the bespoke software and automations that enable the organisation to coordinate, operate, and scale multiple breakthrough research projects.
Tech Stack
* Python 3
* CI/CD
* Docker
* TailwindCSS
* Jinja2
* HTMX / HTML
* Github
What you’ll do
* Interact with Project Managers and Data Engineers to reach the best possible technical design
* Develop and implement technical workflow solutions including integrations between systems, AI-embedded workflows, and custom interface builds
* Build the middleware and API connections required to ensure various SaaS systems and internal data sources communicate and integrate seamlessly
* Produce clear technical documentation and playbooks to transition successful pilots into stable, Business-as-Usual (BAU) operations
* Prototype and build lightweight frontends using TailwindCSS, Jinja2, and HTMX to turn high-level operational blueprints into functional digital tools.
* Collaborate closely with internal teams to shadow manual processes, diagnose operational bottlenecks, and translate non-technical feedback into concrete automation requirements.
* Maintain and optimize deployment pipelines using Docker and CI/CD tools to ensure rapid, reliable, and secure software delivery.
* Monitor, iterate, and troubleshoot newly launched pilot tools, utilizing user feedback and performance data to make swift engineering adjustments.
* Participate in code reviews and security checks, ensuring that any tool built adheres to essential data protection and identity access controls.
* Involvement in and contribution towards pilot launches of 3–5 high-impact, AI-augmented workflows.
* Clear documentation of design choices, implementations and user-guides for any released tooling / libraries
Essential
* Technical builder with a foundation in Python development for backends and command line tools
* Experience in designing internal APIs and consuming APIs from 3rd party platforms
* Understand databases and ORMs to be able to create clean schemas, and query data
* Familiarity with Git for source control, within a collaborative environment
* Requirement gathering from non-technical stakeholders and translating into technical requirements
Desirable
* Possess a practical understanding of automation and Large Language Models (LLMs) and has experience in prompt engineering and agent-based architectures, but may also be skeptical and guarded with respect to AI and how it should be applied.
* Hands‑on, execution-oriented engineer who can adapt quickly based on pilot performance data and user feedback.
* Understands the importance of technical security controls, such as IAM and encryption, especially when handling sensitive data or PII.
Benefits
* 27 days annual leave provision, with the option to buy/sell additional days
* Hybrid working arrangements; 60% in office / 40% at home
* Supportive environment for learning and development opportunities
* Enhanced family leave arrangements
* A free and confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme
* Life Assurance
* 2 days of paid volunteer days
* 5% defined contribution pension scheme with Smart Pension
* Cycle to Work scheme
* An excellent office location in Kings X, London
Not sure you meet 100% of our criteria? Don’t worry! If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We want to attract the broadest array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you’re new to the field, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interests and what you hope to bring to this role.
If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please notify us and we will make every effort to accommodate you. Disclosing any requests are intended to provide ARIA with the best opportunity to support candidates and will have no negative impact on your recruitment process.
ARIA adopts a highly considered approach to ethical and social responsibility. You can read our policy here. Our research and development activity will abide by the 3Rs principle. You can read about those here.
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