Mid-Level R&D Software Engineer
Who we are, what we do
Sensat is a geospatial AI business that powers advanced and highly functional digital twins for the world's most critical infrastructure projects. We partner with the world's largest construction, engineering and critical infrastructure companies, including National Grid, Network Rail, Heathrow and Severn Trent Water. We enable our customers to fight the costly and high-risk "Status Quo" of siloed data, people and processes. Our AI-powered digital twins help teams digitally visualise, plan and manage projects, providing Project Confidence Through Clarity.
We are a high trust, high impact team, who offer purpose driven work. We operate with autonomy and flexibility in an agile, flat structure. We look for highly talented, adaptable and curious individuals who love solving meaningful problems and who share our resilient team spirit when facing challenges!
We are on track to more than double the ARR in 2025, with a strong pipeline that positions us for another year of 100%+ ARR growth in 2026. Backed by over £25 million in funding from blue-chip investors like National Grid Partners and with imminent US market entry representing a significant value inflection point, this is an exciting time to join the Sensat team!
The role - why it exists & why it’s interesting
As a Software Engineer in Sensat Labs, you’ll be at the forefront of Sensat’s innovation efforts. This isn’t a typical feature-building role; your mission is to explore new technologies, test what’s possible, and show how these discoveries can deliver real-world value for our clients.
You’ll develop rapid prototypes and proofs-of-concept that turn ambitious ideas into tangible working prototypes. While our core platform stack includes Python, Go, TypeScript, C++, GCP, and AWS, your greatest strength will be your polyglot mindset, knowing how to choose the right tool for the job and picking up new technologies quickly.
Your motivation comes from exploring new technology and carrying it all the way through to real, production-ready solutions for complex client problems. You're comfortable with ambiguity and thrive on turning a "what if?" or is “Is it even possible?” into a tangible demo that can excite the entire business. You enjoy learning from and sharing knowledge with your colleagues, and you'll collaborate across the company to showcase your work.
What You’ll Do
Research & Prototype: Evaluate emerging technologies—with a focus on GeoAI—to build functional prototypes for real-world geospatial applications.
Validate through POCs: Rapidly iterate on proofs-of-concept, using measurable data (accuracy, performance, and feedback) to validate new ideas.
Influence Strategy: Develop compelling demos and communicate technical findings to stakeholders to shape Sensat’s future product roadmap.
Bridge the Gap: Collaborate with product and engineering teams to transition successful R&D experiments into production-ready features.
What You’ll Bring
Proven Experience: 2–5 years of commercial software development experience shipping reliable code, ranging from internal tools to production components.
A Polyglot Mindset: The ability to learn rapidly and move comfortably between languages and frameworks, selecting the best tool for each challenge.
Pragmatic Innovation: A "tech-first" approach to problem-solving, balanced with a deep understanding of user needs and product value.
Effective Communication: Skill in distilling complex technical concepts into clear, simple insights for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Adaptability: The resilience to thrive in fast-paced environments, with a comfort for managing ambiguity and shifting priorities.
Bonus Points For
Hands on experience in AI/ML (e.g., using frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or consuming generative AI APIs).
Familiarity with transformer-based models, diffusion models, or large foundation models applied to satellite imagery, UAV photogrammetry, or 3D point clouds.
Experience with generative AI APIs (e.g., OpenAI, Gemini, MidJourney) for spatial content generation or simulation.
Deep understanding of Geospatial data (e.g., Imagery, point clouds, photogrammetry).
Knowledge of geospatial-specific frameworks such as RasterVision, TorchGeo, Geospatial AI Toolkits, GDAL or PDAL for processing imagery, point clouds, or LiDAR data.
Familiarity with 3D graphics or Computer Vision.
Broad experience across our existing stack (Go, Typescript, C++, AWS, GCP).
What we’ll bring:
📈 When Sensat succeeds, so will you, with significant equity share options
🌴 Take a break using your 30 days of annual leave (in addition to bank holidays)
🌍 A flexible working environment
🎓 Continue learning every day through your £500 personal development fund
🥳 Regular social events! We’ve been to the theatre, racing around the tracks go-karting, had movie nights, watched the London Symphony Orchestra, line dancing lessons and murder mystery...
❤️ We’ve got your back, be it immediate access to mental health support through Spill or enhanced Family Leave for those welcoming a new arrival, we support you throughout your journey here.
🩺 We care about our people and want to make essential healthcare accessible and affordable. That’s why we have an Opt-in Corporate health and wellbeing cash plan (offering up to £1700 in cash back annually) provided through BHSF.
💻 We want to enable you to do your best work without having to think about whether your tech will work, so we'll set you up with a MacBook, mouse & keyboard and £250 towards setting up your WFH environment.
💸 Pension: with Penfold. Employer contribution of 3%, employee contribution set at 5% but can be increased (relief at source or salary sacrifice).
🏋️ Access to the benefits of our Fora office membership, including access to their gyms and fitness classes, events and dog friendly office 🐶
Other benefits including cycle to work scheme, season ticket loans, eye-care vouchers, payroll giving
At this time, we are only able to accept applications from those who have a right to work in the United Kingdom and who do not require sponsorship as we cannot provide this at this time. Our office is in Old Street, London.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need, and our recruitment processes are conducted in accordance with the Equality Act 2010. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
