Graduate AI Software Engineer

About the company

Bending Spoons aims to build an enduring, high-performing company that serves many customers, develops its people, operates with exceptional efficiency, and creates strong value for shareholders while maintaining high ethical standards. The business acquires and improves digital products for long-term ownership and operation, rather than flipping them for resale. It favors small, highly capable teams, minimal hierarchy, and a startup-like pace, while also embedding AI into everyday work so that human judgment and machine intelligence complement each other.

This role is designed for someone who is talented, ambitious, and collaborative, with strong growth potential and a desire to make a meaningful impact quickly.

What you will do

• Partner with product teams to find high-value opportunities where AI can significantly improve the experience for large numbers of users, then take those ideas all the way into production.
• Create AI-enabled product features and ship code that is dependable, reproducible, and ready to scale.
• Use modern AI tools throughout the software development lifecycle, including planning, building, testing, and writing documentation, while preserving strong standards for quality and reliability.
• Work across a broad set of technologies and ownership areas, selecting the right tool for each problem rather than following trends.
• Develop software with real business impact and take responsibility for it from concept through release and beyond.
• Continuously reduce unnecessary complexity by improving architectures, pipelines, and codebases so they become easier to scale and maintain.

What the company is looking for

• Strong analytical and reasoning ability, with a first-principles approach to solving difficult problems.
• Clear, structured thinking and attention to the details that truly matter.
• High drive, ambition, initiative, and persistence, together with a strong sense of responsibility for your work.
• A collaborative mindset that values the best solution over personal preference and supports teammates proactively.
• Honesty, transparency, and reliability in day-to-day teamwork.
• Professional English communication skills in reading, writing, and speaking.

Compensation and benefits

The company offers competitive compensation along with the opportunity to participate in company equity at a discounted price if hired on a permanent contract. Pay varies by location, experience, and expected contribution.

Indicative annual salary ranges mentioned for Europe are £85,797 for candidates with limited experience in London and €66,065 elsewhere in Europe. For candidates with substantial relevant experience, the typical range is £112,189 to £250,512 in London and €107,837 to €188,848 elsewhere in Europe. In exceptional cases, compensation may exceed these ranges.

Additional benefits include flexible hours, remote work, unlimited learning and training support, premium health insurance, a strong relocation package, generous parental support, and an annual retreat to a scenic destination.

There is also a flexible start date and the option to begin part-time and move into full-time while completing a degree.

Contract and location

This position is permanent or fixed-term and is full-time.

Working locations include Milan, London, Madrid, Warsaw, or remote work from selected approved countries. For a strong onboarding experience, the company recommends spending the first few months working from the Milan office, with travel and accommodation support provided. After that, work may continue from Milan, London, or remotely from approved countries, depending on the final agreement.

Selection process

The hiring process is based on demonstrated excellence rather than seniority or shortcuts. All candidates are assessed through the same screening route. If shortlisted, candidates may be asked to complete one or more demanding tests that can involve unfamiliar problems and may take several hours.

The company also encourages applicants not to rule themselves out due to limited experience or an imperfect CV if they believe they can grow into the role.

Additional information

Applications are reviewed only through the company’s careers page. Candidates with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations. If you have previously applied and were not offered the role, the company recommends waiting at least one year before applying again.

This is a demanding environment with high expectations and a significant commitment requirement, but it is also intended to create exceptional learning, achievement, and career growth.

The job may remain open for an extended period or be reposted multiple times because the company keeps the bar high until it identifies the right candidate.