Junior Software Engineer (AI & Automation)

 Join Zencargo as a Junior Software Engineer and contribute to building scalable, high-quality software that drives innovation in AI and automation for global logistics. You will develop front-end features in React, prototype intelligent solutions in Python, and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful products. This role offers structured mentorship, opportunities to work with emerging AI technologies, and a platform to grow your technical expertise while contributing to real-world business outcomes. 

Key Responsibilities

• Develop well-structured, maintainable, and testable code, focusing initially on React frontends and transitioning towards Python-based proof-of-concepts for AI and automation features.

• Collaborate closely with engineers, product managers, and designers on translating business requirements into code and contributing to the successful delivery of product features.

• Assist in the design and implementation of technical solutions, learning how to balance performance, reliability, scalability and maintainability under the guidance of your senior team members.

• Support rapid prototyping efforts to test and validate new AI and automation ideas, maintaining flexibility as requirements change.

• Actively drive your own development by seeking learning opportunities and using AI development tools to enhance your growth and accelerate delivery.

• Participate in code reviews and team ceremonies, seeking feedback and applying it to continuously improve code quality.

• Help identify areas for improvement in the codebase, tools, or team processes, taking ownership of small technical initiatives.

• Proactively seek clarity and ask questions to reduce ambiguity in assigned work through effective communication and problem-solving.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Soft Skills

• Growth Mindset: Eager to receive feedback and invested in continuous learning, possessing a deep curiosity for applying AI technologies and automation.

• Communication: Developing the ability to effectively communicate technical questions, decisions and progress with peers and stakeholders. 

• Collaboration: Collaborates constructively within the team, offering support to teammates and actively seeking opportunities to learn from them.

• Problem solving: Is excited by building solutions to technical problems, building automations and navigating ambiguity.

• Adaptability: Comfortable shifting between different projects and tasks, as well as learning new technologies as team priorities and requirements change.

• Values: Demonstrates dependability, respect for others and integrity, with a deep understanding and commitment to our company values.

Technical/Competency Skills

• Language Proficiency: A good understanding of Python and a working understanding of React are essential; a strong willingness to learn Kotlin (used in our backend services) and Python web frameworks (e.g. Anvil, Reflex) is a plus.

• Craftsmanship: Focuses on writing clean, maintainable and testable code. Learns and follows team standards, contributing to shared practices through active collaboration in code reviews and pair programming.

• Solution design: Participates in technical discussions and learns to build small prototypes to validate ideas, considering trade-offs related to performance and reliability with guidance.

• Product focus: Develops an understanding of the purpose and value of features, working with product and design to ensure deliveries meet user needs.

• Testing: Applies appropriate testing strategies (e.g., unit, integration) to ensure solution reliability and contributing to team test coverage.

• Monitoring and observability: Incorporates basic observability (e.g., logging, metrics) and understands how to investigate system issues with team support.

• Data & AI Awareness: Is interested and experienced with AI coding tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude, Antigravity), having familiarity with fundamental data engineering concepts (e.g., pipelines, data manipulation). Previous experience in a Data Engineering or Analytics role is a plus.

About Zencargo

Zencargo is a digital-first freight forwarder & logistics provider. Our platform allows customers to book, maintain and keep track of their international freight as well as use analytics to drive intelligent supply chain decisions that help their businesses thrive.

Whilst shipping is a complex trillion-dollar industry, you might be surprised to know that many of the processes that could be simplified with technology are currently done over the phone, by fax and email or even jotted down on scraps of paper

Our services include ocean, air and rail freight as well as trucking and cargo insurance. We deliver significant time, paper and financial savings to our customers offering instant quoting, easy booking and an online dashboard to give them 360 degree, 24/7 visibility on their shipments. Shippers and their counterparts collaborate to oversee their logistics on Zencargo and all their supply chain data is stored together in the cloud making business analytics easier than ever.

At Zencargo, we believe that technology can simplify logistical complexity and tear down barriers to trade. Automating trade and logistics operations and providing access to data and analysis will help companies to trade smarter and more efficiently, freeing businesses to concentrate on key outcomes.  Only by combining human endeavour and technology, can we build smarter supply chains that know no borders.

Life at Zencargo 

What’s in it for me?

• Zencargo is where you come to do something you're passionate about, and learn new things.  We are in scale mode at Zencargo and we work to realistic growth targets and metrics.  You will thrive here if you enjoy working in a scaling environment.  As we grow we want you to grow with us.

• At Zencargo there is a huge opportunity to build your experience and grow your career.  We want you to be part of the team for a long time to come, and we will focus on helping you get to where you want to be.  We all have dreams and aspirations.  As part of the Zencargo team, we ask you to deliver your optimum work and help us create real value for our customers and teams.

Work, Life and Balance
At Zencargo, we work hard! We do, however, realise that you have family, friends, interests and life outside the world of work.  As a scaling business, we constantly evolve our reward and benefits approach. 

Here are some highlights!

United Kingdom 

• Generous Annual Leave 

• Flexible, Remote and Hybrid Working 

• Home Equipment Allowance

• BUPA Private Medical Insurance 

• Annual L&D Budget 

• Paid Volunteering Days 

• Pension Scheme

• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, Adoption and Shared Parental Leave & Pay 

Netherlands

• 33 days paid holiday annually, including statutory Dutch national public holidays 

• Pension Scheme

• Flexible, Remote and Hybrid Working 

• Home Equipment Allowance

• Annual L&D Budget 

• Paid Volunteering Days 

• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, Adoption and Shared Parental Leave & Pay

United States

• 33 days paid holiday annually, pro rata, including national public holidays and Veteran’s Day

• Home Equipment Allowance

• 401K Pension Scheme

• Private healthcare scheme

• Annual L&D Budget 

• Paid Volunteering Days 

• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, Adoption and Shared Parental Leave & Pay

 United States

Our Vision, Mission and Values
Zencargo is a company driven by our Vision, Mission and Values.  We conduct values interviews as part of our recruitment process to ensure we are able to hire top talent that embodies concepts that align with our core values and beliefs.

• Our Zencargo Vision - "A world with smarter trade"

• Our Zencargo Mission - "To make customers' supply chain their competitive advantage"

Our Zencargo Values

• We Learn Fast and Grow

• We Build Trust

• We Take Ownership 

• We Deliver Outcomes

A Fair Chance

Every role in the Zencargo team is open to applications from all sections of society. We believe in the superpowers and potential of everyone, regardless of race, religion or belief, ethnic origin, different physical ability, family structure, socio-economics, age, nationality or citizenship, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other difference that makes you, you.

More than just encouraging your application, we're committed to conscious inclusion that (we hope and intend) cultivates an environment of belonging.
We open our doors to those who share these motivations.