Global Banking Institution - Xist4
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Global Banking Institution

Sourcing a Senior Software Engineer to Build Secure Generative AI Tools and Strengthen Cloud-Native Capabilities



The Challenge

Our client, a global banking institution with a major technology hub in Northern Ireland, sought to expand its cloud engineering and AI security capabilities by establishing a new function focused on Generative AI (GenAI) security. The team’s remit was to protect large language model (LLM) applications from adversarial attacks and ensure responsible AI deployment across regulated environments.

The role required a Senior Software Engineer with hands-on experience in Python, cloud-native development, and security engineering, along with exposure to LLM frameworks and automated testing.

The challenge was identifying engineers who combined software engineering rigour, AI awareness, and security understanding in a small regional market. The client needed a recruitment partner who could map the local talent landscape while providing data-led insights on availability and compensation.

The Solution

Xist4 conducted a research-led search enhanced by its Recruitment Insight Audit Report, providing visibility into the AI and cybersecurity talent market across Northern Ireland and remote UK regions.

Key actions included:

  • Role Definition: Partnered with engineering leadership to clarify the hybrid skills required in software, AI, and security engineering.

  • Recruitment Insight Audit: Produced a market report profiling 140 relevant engineers, covering compensation data, skills heatmaps, and competitor activity.

  • Outreach and Engagement: Ran a structured engagement campaign showcasing the company’s innovation agenda and enterprise-scale AI vision.

  • Screening: Conducted technical and behavioural interviews to assess LLM familiarity, DevSecOps maturity, and security design principles.

  • Ongoing Market Feedback: Delivered weekly audit updates summarising candidate conversion and availability.

The Result

Within seven weeks, Xist4 presented a shortlist of senior software engineers with the required blend of AI awareness, secure coding, and cloud engineering expertise.

The appointed candidate, an experienced engineer with a background in AI tooling and cybersecurity, has since led the development of secure prompt validation frameworks and AI-driven compliance automation.

This engagement demonstrated how combining structured search execution with Xist4’s Recruitment Insight Audit Report provides clarity, speed, and confidence in niche technology hiring.

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