Lead Software Engineer (Backend)

Lead Software Engineer (Backend) – Labs Legal Tech  

Are you a seasoned software engineer with expertise in cloud-based system design and implementation? Thomson Reuters Labs is offering an exciting opportunity to join a cutting-edge team processing millions of documents monthly using advanced AI/ML technologies, including Large Language Models (LLMs). Our services power innovative applications like CoCounsel. As a lead engineer in this role, you'll spearhead the design, planning, implementation, and deployment of new services while maintaining and supporting existing ones. You'll be at the forefront of applying AI technologies to legal and business information processing, driving innovation in a fast-paced, high-impact environment. 

About the Role:  

In this opportunity as Lead Software Engineer (Backend), you will:  

• Drive technical leadership within our engineering team, shaping systems design, refining processes, and guiding strategic planning and execution. 
• Architect and implement scalable cloud-based solutions that process millions of documents using cutting-edge AI/ML technologies, including LLMs. 
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineers, product managers, scientists, legal experts, and stakeholders to deliver innovative, market-leading software products. 
• Spearhead initiatives and lead teams with autonomy, fostering a culture of excellence, self-organization, and continuous improvement. 
• Stay at the forefront of evolving technologies, adapting swiftly to changes in cloud platforms, AI/ML advancements, and industry trends. 
• Ensure robust support for client applications and backend services, optimizing performance and reliability. 
• Oversee the entire software development lifecycle, from conception through deployment, emphasizing best practices in planning, implementation, testing, and CI/CD. 
• Champion process improvements, implementing methodologies that enhance team efficiency, code quality, and overall project outcomes. 
• Mentor junior engineers, promoting engineering culture and skill development across the team and the enterprise. 
• Contribute to technical decision-making, influencing the direction of our product design, cloud infrastructure, and application architecture. 

About You:  

You are a fit for the role of Lead Software Engineer (Backend) if your background includes:

Required Skills and Experience: 

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Software Engineering, or a related field; or equivalent practical experience. 
• 6+ years of extensive software development experience, with a strong focus on cloud-native application hosting and maintenance. 
• 3+ years of hands-on expertise in designing, deploying, and maintaining larger-scale distributed applications, preferably using Azure (experience with AWS or GCP is also valuable). 
• Experience with queuing related systems: Azure Service Bus, Amazing SQS, RabbitMQ, Kafka, and other systems
• Proven track record (3+ years) in backend application development using Python, with proficiency in containerization (Docker), SQL databases, CI/CD tools (e.g., Azure DevOps), version control systems (e.g., GitHub, Azure DevOps), etc. 
• Comprehensive understanding of the entire software development lifecycle, including agile methodologies, testing, monitoring, and incident management. 
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to provide clear & concise updates to leadership, build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, and contribute positively to long-term team dynamics and health.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems creatively and effectively. 
• Strong organizational and leadership skills, with a proven ability to coordinate team efforts and drive projects to successful completion. 
• Adaptability and eagerness to learn new technologies and methodologies in a rapidly evolving field. 
• Interest in learning and using Rust to implement services. 

Preferred Skills and Experience:  

• Experience with other languages (e.g. C#, C++, Java, etc.) and/or cloud providers (AWS, GCP) is useful. 
• Experience with AI/ML technologies – especially model hosting and deployment (“MLOps”), processing large document volumes, and/or NLP (Natural Language Processing) – is highly desirable.  
• Familiarity with the legal industry is also helpful but not essential. 

#LI-JF1 

What's in it For You?
You will join our inclusive culture of world-class talent, where we are committed to your personal and professional growth through:

• Hybrid Work Model: