Senior Python Engineer (Agentic AI) | UK | Contract | Outside IR35

Start date: 1st September (7th September at the very latest). Please only apply if you can start by the 7th.

A short, high-ownership contract building a production agentic AI product for a name that matters in cyber security.

The role

You'll help build an AI-powered MCP server for a well-established cyber security organisation.

You'll own a self-contained area of the build end to end, working in Python across FastAPI, Django or Flask, integrating LLMs to make the client's frameworks accessible through an agentic interface.

The work runs as a prioritised backlog, refined with the client each week, so priorities shift as things progress. You'll pick up your area, run with it, and keep the team in the loop.

What's in it for you

• A genuine agentic AI build headed for production, not a proof of concept

• Real ownership of your own area. You'll make the technical calls, not close tickets on someone else's design

• A short, focused engagement with a clear delivery date and no long-tail maintenance

• Remote-first, with office space available when it helps

Who you'd be building for

An independent, member-owned cyber security community.

For decades they've turned their members' real-world experience into the frameworks global enterprises use to manage information risk. Their members include some of the largest organisations in the world.

Your work will put that knowledge behind an agentic AI interface. A real product, for a serious client, where AI and cyber security meet.

Essential experience

You'll need all of these to hit the ground running:

• Strong commercial Python experience, with production work in FastAPI, Django or Flask

• Real agentic AI experience, building applications that work with LLMs via APIs

• Designing and building scalable APIs and cloud-native applications

• Owning an isolated area of a build while staying joined up with a fast-moving team

• Strong, proactive communication

Desirable experience

Not essential, but it would put you ahead:

• FastMCP

The details

• Contract length: 8 to 9 weeks, depending on start date

• Outside IR35

• Remote-first. You'll need to be within 50 miles of one of our offices (Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester or London)

• Senior level. We'd consider a principal or lead at a higher rate for the right fit

Who we are

hedgehog lab is a UK digital product consultancy and certified B Corp. Twenty years building software for global brands, with offices in Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester and London.

We do our best work where the problem is hard, at the point where AI meets serious engineering.

Ready to apply?

If you're a senior Python engineer building with agentic AI, outside IR35 and free to start early September, apply below.