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About Us
This role sits within the Data & Tech organisation at KINESSO, part of IPG Mediabrands. Our focus is building and evolving the Interact platform — a suite of data-driven planning and optimisation tools used across the IPG network. We work closely with other IPG teams but operate independently from the KINESSO agency business. Our teams combine engineering, data science, and product expertise to deliver scalable, AI-enabled solutions that help agencies and brands plan, optimise, and measure campaigns more effectively. Learn more about Interact here: https://www.interpublic.com/about/interact/.
Position Summary:
We are seeking a Principal Engineer / Engineering Manager to lead one of the core engineering teams within Planning Agent, our AI-powered advertising planning platform used daily by IPG agency teams. You will help shape and grow a product with AI at its core, using agents to power an AI copilot that assists advertising planners throughout their workflow.
You’ll lead a cross-functional team of 8–10 remote engineers and data scientists, distributed across multiple countries in Europe, with a significant presence in Poland and Ukraine. Our tech stack includes Python with a React frontend, deployed on AWS in Kubernetes clusters, using GCP for Gemini and LangGraph for agent orchestration. While you’ll have the resources of a large organisation, this team operates with a startup mentality: embracing rapid iteration, a cross-functional mindset, and end-to-end ownership of features.
The role can be tailored to your strengths, whether as an IC, a Manager, or a mix of both. You’ll lead system design, make architecture decisions, and guide technical direction while balancing hands-on implementation with enabling the team to deliver effectively. Depending on your focus, you may spend more time coding and implementing complex features, or more time on coaching, mentoring, and driving delivery. In all cases, you’ll conduct code reviews, contribute to high-impact features, and foster a high-performance engineering culture.
This position reports to the VP, Software Engineering, Planning. It will be primarily remote, though you are also welcome to work in our London office.
Key Responsibilities:
- Shape the architecture and engineering design of the product and its interactions with other applications and services
- Lead by example in technical delivery and engineering best practices
- Work with the Product team and other Tech Leads to execute the roadmap and translate requirements into actionable engineering tasks
- Discuss technical solutions with the development team, communicate goals, and facilitate execution
- Develop and expand product capabilities, from AI-driven features to core full-stack enhancements
- Lead functional design and code reviews, providing constructive feedback
- Coordinate with QA to achieve automated testing in support of continuous delivery
- Build and maintain a high-performance team and an innovative culture
- Provide coaching, mentoring, and career development to team members
- Have a results-driven personality, high enthusiasm, energy, and confidence
Minimal Requirements:
- Proven experience as a senior technical leader in an Agile/Scrum environment
- Strong knowledge of Python and microservice architectures
- Experience building web applications, preferably including React
- Familiar with software development methodologies, scaled system design, and best practices
- Knowledge of AWS and cloud-native architectures; familiarity with LangGraph a plus
- Strong communication skills, able to explain technical problems clearly to varied audiences
- Excellent organisational and technical writing skills
- Experience working with remote and geographically distributed teams a plus
- Background in advertising/marketing tech a plus
Employee Transparency
At Mediabrands and Kinesso, we celebrate difference and believe this makes us stronger. Mediabrands and Kinesso are equal opportunity employers and committed to championing an inclusive culture that provides a sense of belonging for all our employees. We do not discriminate against any applicant based on age, disability, race, colour, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, belief, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Please reach out to our Talent Inclusion Specialist Jess at [email protected] if you would like to have a confidential conversation regarding any adjustments that would ensure our recruitment process is accessible for you. Please note requesting a reasonable adjustment will not affect your application.
The Perks
We aim to provide all our people with a supportive and fun work environment where you can develop your full potential and benefit from the broad range of opportunities within the agency. When you join us, we want to make sure you feel valued – and that you are rewarded for your fantastic work. So, we also offer a range of benefits:
- Flexi–leave, with 25 days annual leave to be taken as minimum. In addition to your holiday entitlement, the office usually closes between Christmas & New Year
- Free breakfast and free lunch
- Early finish Fridays
- Core Hours (Mon-Thurs, flexible start/finish times)
- Retail discounts
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifices car scheme
- Wellbeing programme, including Headspace & flu jabs
- Interest free season ticket loan
- Paid time off for Volunteering
- Group Income Protection
- Life Assurance
- Private Medical Insurance or Health Cash Plan (dependent on level)
- Group Personal Pension Plan with matched contributions from 3-6%
- Generous Parental Leave & Pay
- Independent mortgage advice
- Financial education
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Free eye tests
- Flexible benefits including Dental, Travel insurance, Cycle to Work, Gym Discounts and many more!
