Lead Engineer - AWS & Python

Lead Engineer – AWS, Python

Division – Data, Technology and Innovation

Department – Advanced Analytics

Salary – National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £72,100 to £117,100 and London from £79,300 to £128,800 (salary offered will be based on skills and experience) 

About the FCA   

The FCA regulates the conduct of 45,000 firms in the UK to ensure our financial markets are honest, fair and competitive. Follow this link to find out more About the FCA.

What will you be doing?

Advanced Analytics is driving digital innovation at the FCA. Our purpose is to change how we regulate financial services. Our team of data scientists, engineers and change experts combine cutting-edge techniques and the latest technology to generate breakthrough insights. We believe the best approach is sometimes an innovative approach.

We place emphasis on curiosity and experimentation. We collaborate widely with academics, innovative companies, and the rest of the FCA. We believe that people need space to continue learning and the support to develop new ideas, so we commit to giving them both.

Join our diverse team of creative and passionate innovators to:

• Empower and elevate your team, guide and mentor a group of talented senior engineers, fostering growth and continuous learning. Help raise the technical bar while creating a supportive environment that encourages curiosity and excellence.

• Lead through collaboration and connection Work closely with product managers, data scientists, architects, and other experts to shape implementation strategies. Bring people together across disciplines to co-create scalable Advanced Analytics solutions.

• Champion quality and hands-on problem solving as the steward of our codebase, set design standards, conduct code reviews, and dive into complex challenges with confidence and empathy ensuring that solutions are robust, inclusive and high-quality.

• Inspire innovation and build communities Bridge the worlds of data science and engineering to uncover new solution opportunities. Be a visible advocate for experimentation and knowledge-sharing through demos, discussions and wider collaboration across the organisation

What will you get from the role?

• Finding fulfilment in contributing to meaningful outcomes your work helps protect UK consumers and supports efforts to tackle financial crime

• Thriving in a diverse and inclusive environment that celebrates positive team culture and prioritises individual wellbeing

• Empowering the creation and delivery of innovative product propositions from early ideas to launch, free from the constraints of legacy systems

• Growing professionally within a nurturing, forward-thinking team that values continuous learning with access to learning platforms, thought-provoking events and dedicated time for development and exploration

Which skills are required?

We are a Disability Confident Employer; therefore, disabled people or individuals with long-term conditions who best meet the minimum criteria for a role will go through to the next stage of the recruitment process. (To learn more about the Disability Confident Scheme Click Here)

Minimum

• Experience supporting and guiding technical teams

• Experience deploying Python web applications using frameworks like Django, Flask, or FastAPI

• Experience configuring and working with AWS services

Essential

• Supporting secure, scalable development using Git, Ansible, Terraform, Docker and Linux system administration

• Designing compliant solutions that align with enterprise architecture principles, in partnership with infrastructure, security and governance teams

• Troubleshooting complex development challenges with composure and resolving production issues efficiently

Desirable

• Delivering impactful machine learning solutions, including applications powered by large language models

• Applying thoughtful development approaches with TDD and BDD, using tools like PyTest and Behave to ensure quality and clarity

Our Values & Diversity

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and our ambition is to cultivate a culture for all employees that respects their individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe that our differences and similarities enable us to be a better organisation – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation, and delivers better regulation.

Within the workplace you will have access to various employee resource groups which aim to promote and achieve a healthy work / life balance and support our diversity ambitions.

Did you know? 50% of our Executive Committee are women (4 in 8)

The FCA is committed to achieving greater diversity across all levels of the organisation. Given this, we particularly welcome applications from women, minority ethnic, disabled, and neurodivergent candidates for this role.

Benefits of working at the FCA

• 28 days holiday per year plus bank holidays

• Hybrid working (work from home up to 60% of your time)

• Private healthcare with Bupa 

• A non-contributory Pension of at least 8%

• Life assurance

• Income protection

We also have a competitive flexible benefits scheme which gives you the opportunity to create a personalised benefits package, tailored to suit your lifestyle.

Follow this link to see what life is like at the FCA - Life at the FCA

Application Support

We are dedicated to removing barriers and ensuring our application process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition requiring changes to the recruitment process, please contact your recruiter using the details below and they will be happy to discuss this further with you.

Useful Information and Timeline

• This role is graded Technical Specialist - Regulatory

• Advert Closing Date: Sunday 3rd August

• CV Review/Shortlist: 5th August

• Technical Assessment: From 6th August

• Interview: w/c 18th August

Your Recruiter will discuss the process in detail with you during screening for the role, therefore, please make them aware if you are going to be unavailable for any date during this time. 

Got a question?

If you are interested in learning more about the role, please contact benjamin.paulon@fca.org.uk

Applications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via email will not be accepted.