Lead Product Engineer (Python), Materia AI

Are you excited about building AI-driven software that redefines how professionals work? Join a dynamic and highly skilled team at Thomson Reuters, where we combine the agility and innovation of a startup with the stability and resources of a global leader. As a Lead Software Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in developing AI-powered systems that enhance accounting workflows through automation, intelligence, and seamless orchestration.

About the Role

You will own end-to-end AI systems—from backend services and APIs to LLM-driven workflows in production.

Key qualifications:

• Strong hands‑on Python backend experience (FastAPI/Flask, APIs, distributed systems).
• Exposure to TypeScript or modern frontend frameworks (helpful but not required).
• Proven experience in system design and architecture, building scalable, production‑grade systems.
• Strong emphasis on Python, backend engineering, and real‑world AI applications.
• Hybrid role; interview may include onsite interactions.

Key Responsibilities

Backend Development & AI Integration

• Design and build the backend for AI‑native products focused on accounting research and 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.

Performance & Scalability

• 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.

Collaboration & Leadership

• 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 organization.

About You

• Bachelor’s 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.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• 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.

Bonus Points

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field.
• Comfortable contributing to front‑end development with React, Next.js, and TypeScript.
• Experience working in a startup or similar fast‑paced setting.
• Experience building AI‑native products, chatbot interfaces, or API‑driven platforms.
• Familiarity with large language models (LLMs), AI agent design, and/or prompt engineering.
• Experience with cloud infrastructure, event‑driven architectures, or observability tooling.
• Opinionated about testing methodologies, A/B testing, and safe rollouts.

What’s in it For You

• Hybrid Work Model: Flexible hybrid working environment (2‑3 days a week in the office depending on the role) with seamless digital and physical connectivity.
• Flexibility & Work‑Life Balance: Flexible work arrangements, work from anywhere for up to 8 weeks per year, and supportive policies to manage personal and professional responsibilities.
• Career Development and Growth: Continuous learning and skill development opportunities through Grow My Way programming and a skills‑first approach.
• Industry Competitive Benefits: Comprehensive benefit plans including flexible vacation, company‑wide mental health days off, Headspace app access, retirement savings, tuition reimbursement, employee incentive programs, and resources for mental, physical, and financial wellbeing.
• Culture: Global reputation for inclusion and belonging, flexibility, work‑life balance, and shared values of customer obsession, competitive winning, challenging thinking, rapid learning, and teamwork.
• Social Impact: Paid volunteer days off annually and opportunities to participate in pro‑bono consulting projects and ESG initiatives.
• Making a Real‑World Impact: Helping customers pursue justice, truth, and transparency, and contributing to top‑level industry goals.

About Thomson Reuters. We are a global business that informs the way forward by bringing together trusted content and technology that people need to make the right decisions. We provide solutions across legal, tax, accounting, compliance, government, and media.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity and ask that all qualified candidates apply regardless of race, color, sex/gender, pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected classification under applicable law. We are a drug‑free workplace.

We also make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and sincerely held religious beliefs in accordance with applicable law.