Junior Software Engineer (AI & Automation)

Department: Software Engineering

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: London

Description

 Join Zencargo as a Junior Software Engineer and contribute to building scalable, high-quality software that drives innovation in AI and automation for global logistics. You will develop front-end features in React, prototype intelligent solutions in Python, and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful products. This role offers structured mentorship, opportunities to work with emerging AI technologies, and a platform to grow your technical expertise while contributing to real-world business outcomes. 

Key Responsibilities

• Develop well-structured, maintainable, and testable code, focusing initially on React frontends and transitioning towards Python-based proof-of-concepts for AI and automation features.
• Collaborate closely with engineers, product managers, and designers on translating business requirements into code and contributing to the successful delivery of product features.
• Assist in the design and implementation of technical solutions, learning how to balance performance, reliability, scalability and maintainability under the guidance of your senior team members.
• Support rapid prototyping efforts to test and validate new AI and automation ideas, maintaining flexibility as requirements change.
• Actively drive your own development by seeking learning opportunities and using AI development tools to enhance your growth and accelerate delivery.
• Participate in code reviews and team ceremonies, seeking feedback and applying it to continuously improve code quality.
• Help identify areas for improvement in the codebase, tools, or team processes, taking ownership of small technical initiatives.
• Proactively seek clarity and ask questions to reduce ambiguity in assigned work through effective communication and problem-solving.
  
  

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Soft Skills

• Growth Mindset: Eager to receive feedback and invested in continuous learning, possessing a deep curiosity for applying AI technologies and automation.
• Communication: Developing the ability to effectively communicate technical questions, decisions and progress with peers and stakeholders. 
• Collaboration: Collaborates constructively within the team, offering support to teammates and actively seeking opportunities to learn from them.
• Problem solving: Is excited by building solutions to technical problems, building automations and navigating ambiguity.
• Adaptability: Comfortable shifting between different projects and tasks, as well as learning new technologies as team priorities and requirements change.
• Values: Demonstrates dependability, respect for others and integrity, with a deep understanding and commitment to our company values.
  
  

Technical/Competency Skills

• Language Proficiency: A good understanding of Python and a working understanding of React are essential; a strong willingness to learn Kotlin (used in our backend services) and Python web frameworks (e.g. Anvil, Reflex) is a plus.
• Craftsmanship: Focuses on writing clean, maintainable and testable code. Learns and follows team standards, contributing to shared practices through active collaboration in code reviews and pair programming.
• Solution design: Participates in technical discussions and learns to build small prototypes to validate ideas, considering trade-offs related to performance and reliability with guidance.
• Product focus: Develops an understanding of the purpose and value of features, working with product and design to ensure deliveries meet user needs.
• Testing: Applies appropriate testing strategies (e.g., unit, integration) to ensure solution reliability and contributing to team test coverage.
• Monitoring and observability: Incorporates basic observability (e.g., logging, metrics) and understands how to investigate system issues with team support.
• Data & AI Awareness: Is interested and experienced with AI coding tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude, Antigravity), having familiarity with fundamental data engineering concepts (e.g., pipelines, data manipulation). Previous experience in a Data Engineering or Analytics role is a plus.