Where AI Meets Finance: A Python Engineer’s Journey to a Key Fintech Project

Thriving in a Key Fintech Project at EPAM Spain

Meet Edward Willis, a seasoned Python engineer with many years of experience in IT consulting. Originally from the UK, Edward moved to Spain in 2018, settling in sunny Málaga where he enjoys his passion for outdoor cycling year-round.

Now a valuable member of EPAM Spain, Edward is leveraging his expertise to help build an AI-powered financial assistance platform for one of the world’s leading hedge funds.

“I was interested in working within an established software consultancy that could provide a home for my career in Spain, and EPAM caught my eye,” recalls Edward. “I was very impressed with the clients and projects they were involved with and the success they were achieving. So, when a perfect job opportunity came along, I didn’t hesitate to apply.” 

A walk on the beach at Tarifa with his wife and daughter

Building an AI-powered platform

In his current fintech project, Edward is developing cutting-edge tools for one of the world’s leading hedge funds that manages investments for a wide array of institutional clients, from charity foundations to foreign governments and central banks.

Edward and his team are building a suite of integrated tools to enhance the decision-making capabilities of investment analysts. This is not a product for casual users, but an extremely sophisticated tool that empowers a handful of the world’s sharpest and most engaging minds!

What makes this project truly exciting for Edward is its emphasis on leveraging the latest developments in artificial intelligence to maximize the return for investors. This involves utilizing large language models (LLMs) and associated technologies like retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) with vector storage and search technologies. For Edward and his team, this means staying at the forefront of rapidly developing AI innovations, while also possessing the expertise to assess their potential value and seamlessly integrate them into the product.

“Many of the technologies around AI are so new that having any in-depth experience with them is nearly impossible. Here, the key lies in quickly grasping these emerging technologies and evaluating their potential to add value to the project,” comments Edward.

Fostering collaboration and trust

Edward is deeply involved in implementing scalable and maintainable solutions in Python, with a strong focus on concurrency models and robust coding practices. His day-to-day tasks include collaborating on a fast-moving codebase with about 20 merge requests each day, while ensuring consistent quality and timely delivery.

Taking ownership of features from conception to completion, Edward thrives in bringing technically complex and innovative ideas to life.

When asked to describe his colleagues, Edward characterizes them as energized, supportive and multiskilled professionals with a deep understanding of the product and business challenges. They work in close partnership with the hedge fund’s investment analysts who are also technically savvy and highly committed to the project’s success.

It’s a very motivated and connected team where the energy is infectious, delivering a constant stream of new features: “We deliver rapidly and apply stakeholder feedback continuously,” Edward explains. “You are expected to quicky understand the project and start proactively contributing ideas and take responsibility for implementing features front-to-back.”

Gravel biking in the Gorafe desert near Granada

What truly stands out for Edward about the project is its dynamic startup-like environment and the client’s emphasis on a culture of radical transparency. Team members are encouraged to place open communication of ideas and issues right at the heart of their interactions, fostering collaboration and trust.

Tips for success

EPAM offers its employees the opportunity to work with diverse clients across a wide range of industries. To ensure the perfect match between project needs and candidates' expectations, we follow a thorough selection process involving technical and client interviews. This approach helps us build teams of highly skilled and motivated professionals who are equipped to tackle the most complex challenges while fostering strong personal connections. At EPAM, we prioritize engineering excellence, placing a strong focus on essential skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, analytical thinking and critical decision-making.

For his current assignment, Edward passed three interviews and a coding challenge. One of the interviews was dedicated to explaining a solution to the coding challenge, during which he described his approach in a pair-programming type environment.

"My previous experience working with investment banks didn’t seem to be as relevant as I had expected. I got the feeling they were not so much looking for the perfect answer, but rather for the ability to communicate technical ideas well.”

In general, the interview process is designed to evaluate both technical expertise and how well a candidate might fit in the team. Interviewers might challenge candidates to see how they respond under pressure or prompt them to reflect on their past technical experiences. For Edward, the most demanding part of the interview was recalling a situation where he had to deepen his knowledge in a particular area to overcome a challenge.

Joining EPAM as a Principal Python Engineer

Edward’s top tip for candidates applying for this position is to relax, answer questions honestly and communicate ideas clearly and concisely.

If you’re looking for a consultancy position, we are seeking a passionate Principal Python Engineer to join our EPAM team in Málaga. Apply now and be part of the growing Fintech team at EPAM Spain! See all our current job opportunities at www.epam.com/careers.