Junior Software Engineer; AI & Automation), Software Engineering

Junior Software Engineer (AI & Automation)

Department: Software Engineering

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: London

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.