Lead Software Engineer (Scientific Engine, Python, CDI)

About Descartes Underwriting

Descartes Underwriting is a parametric insurance specialist focused on climate, cyber and emerging risks, using advanced risk modelling and technology to protect corporate and public sector clients from natural catastrophes and weather events.

About Your Role

Lead a team of four engineers as a Lead Software Engineer for the scientific engine of a business use case, and develop processes that empower each engineer to excel.

Key Missions

• Contribute directly to the code base, individually, in pairs or with the team.
• Organize knowledge‑sharing sessions.
• Enforce internal standards and quality practices.
• Present progress and objectives to stakeholders.
• Shape the technical roadmap through architecture discussions and design documents.
• Lead and coach the engineering team to deliver on their roadmap.
• Provide expertise in developing, optimizing and maintaining software for:
• Risk model calculations.
• Data collection, preparation and visualization.
• Exporting outputs adapted to users.
• Testing and validating existing solutions.
• Monitoring contracts and associated data.
• Support, test and improve tools for:
• Continuous development and integration.
• Data storage.
• Version management of scripts and code.
• Modularization and containerization of IT solutions.
• Integration with external and internal APIs.
• Participate in:
• Assessing and defining user needs.
• Modeling risks of underlying contracts.
• Selecting technical solutions.
• Discussing with IT partners.
• Improving the skills of technical staff.
• Managing user access and rights to internal tools.

Tech Stack

• Cloud provider: GCP
• Code versioning: Git + Gitlab
• Operating system: Windows
• Programming language: Python

Experience & Qualifications

• At least one year of technical management experience.
• Experience facilitating interactions between technical teams and business stakeholders.
• Background in mentoring software engineers, removing blockers and sharing best practices.
• Ability to scope and set technical priorities based on roadmap and maintenance.
• Excellent communication skills in English and French.
• Minimum three years as a software engineer or data scientist.
• Solid knowledge of Python and related tooling.
• Strong engineering foundation (computer science, mathematics, physics, or earth science).
• Experience optimizing Python code and working with micro‑services architectures.
• Familiarity with Docker and production development workflows.
• Fluent in English and French.

Mindset

• Strong interest in climate issues.
• Comfortable working with corporate insurers.
• Enjoys CI/CD automation and pipeline elegance.
• Willingness to support junior developers.
• Team spirit and openness to code review.
• Rigorous, creative and meticulous approach to large insurance problems.
• Desire to learn new technologies.
• Appreciates working in a multi‑cultural environment.

Why Join Descartes Underwriting?

• Opportunity to work with teams from leading schools and research labs.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
• Collaborative and professional environment.
• Diversity‑focused international team.
• Purpose‑driven work helping clients improve resilience to climate risks.
• Competitive salary, bonus and benefits.
• Flexible home office arrangements.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Descartes Underwriting values diversity and is committed to fighting all forms of discrimination and providing equal opportunities for all employees and candidates. Positions are open to people with disabilities.