Lead Software Engineer AI - (Materia AI)

Thomson Reuters is a global provider of trusted content and technology serving legal, tax, accounting, compliance, government, and media professionals. The Lead Software Engineer will design and build scalable backend services, APIs, and AI orchestration systems for generative AI products supporting accounting research and workflows. The role also involves leading cross-functional engineering initiatives, improving system performance, and mentoring engineers.

Responsibilities:

• Design and build the backend for AI-native products focused accounting research and accounting workflows such as tax filing, tax advisory, and audit
• Develop and maintain backend services using Python, FastAPI, and PostgreSQL
• Implement AI orchestration systems integrating LLMs from OpenAI, Anthropic, and other providers
• Design APIs and backend logic for real-time AI interactions
• Ensure backend systems are secure, scalable, and optimized for AI-driven applications
• Monitor and enhance system performance, across millions of documents and AI driven interactions
• Lead teams of engineers, AI researchers, and product teams to translate AI capabilities into real-world applications, owning large projects or workstreams
• Foster a culture of experimentation and continuous improvement, exploring new AI technologies and methodologies
• Assist in hiring and mentorship across the org

Requirements:

• • Must have strong hands-on Python backend experience (FastAPI/Flask, APIs, distributed systems)
• • Proven experience in system design and architecture, building scalable, production-grade systems
• • Strong emphasis on Python, backend engineering, and real-world AI applications
• • This is a hybrid role, and the interview process may include onsite interactions
• • Bachelors Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Related Field, or Equivalent Experience
• • 6-8 years of experience in backend development, building scalable web services and APIs
• • Strong Python skills, with experience in FastAPI, PostgreSQL, and AWS
• • Experience in distributed systems, API and data model design
• • Strong debugging skills and a track record of building production-grade software
• • Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities
• • Passion for AI-driven software and new engineering paradigms
• • A creative problem solver who enjoys exploring new technologies
• • Dedicated to building high-quality, reliable AI-first systems
• • Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• • Exposure to TypeScript/modern frontend frameworks is helpful, but not required
• • Experience with AI-driven systems, agent-based architectures, or AI APIs from providers like OpenAI and Anthropic
• • Knowledge of vector databases, embeddings, or search-based AI
• • Strong opinions on backend testing strategies and automation