Our mission at Xyme is to solve important societal problems by revolutionising the practice of synthetic chemistry through what we call xymes - AI-generated enzymes that can catalyse any reaction. As an innovative startup based in Oxford and Manchester, UK, we bring together interdisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, and data specialists to push the boundaries of enzyme design. Our dynamic and collaborative work environment is fuelled by a passion for innovation. We cultivate a culture of continuous learning and improvement, where every team member can make a lasting impact on our groundbreaking research and real-world applications. As Associate Director, Software Engineering at Xyme, you will be at the forefront of our mission to catalyse the AI-generated enzyme design revolution. Your journey will begin with architecting our computational infrastructure to ensure a successful launch of our scientific platform and setting the stage for scalability and innovation. Collaborating with a highly-effective team of Data and ML engineers, you will develop state-of-the-art platforms that facilitate efficient data flow, power generative AI applications, and support computationally demanding molecular simulations. By championing software engineering best practices and mentoring developers from diverse scientific backgrounds, you will elevate our engineering standards and foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement. What you will do Lead the design, implementation, and maintenance of our software development environment by structuring our code repositories, defining release processes, and implementing CI/CD pipelines to automate testing, building and deployment. Launch and maintain our cloud compute platform including task-based workflow orchestration and scalable compute functions to support our enzyme design pipeline. Establish coding standards, best practices, and development processes to create a resilient yet flexible environment empowering developers to iteratively improve our computational platforms. Collaborate closely with other engineers on a daily basis and provide technical guidance to support the development of our data infrastructure, AI/ML models, and laboratory informatics systems. Cultivate strategic partnerships by working with our technical leaders to identify, engage, and build beneficial relationships with key software and service providers. Our current stack is primarily Python-based and we use its scientific software ecosystem for developing AI applications and running molecular simulations. You will have significant ownership over adjusting and expanding it as needed to achieve our goals. What you will bring A deep interest in our mission to revolutionise the way enzymes are designed. Degree in computer science or in a related field or equivalent practical experience. At least five years of work experience in a technical leadership role - experience in smaller, fast-paced environments is a plus. Experience in designing and implementing scalable cloud computing infrastructure, particularly workflow orchestration systems and distributed applications. Proficiency with Python and its ecosystem for software development and compute infrastructure. Excellent communication skills, a drive for innovation, and a commitment to fostering a positive team culture and healthy work environment. What you will get from us Join an exceptional team collaborating on projects that advance the frontiers of enzyme design. A supportive and collaborative work environment that nurtures creativity and innovation, providing genuine ownership and autonomy. Opportunities to attend and present at relevant conferences and industry events, expanding your knowledge and professional network.