Freshfields is undergoing an exciting period of digital transformation, and we are looking for an Innovation Engineer to help us accelerate it. This is a high‑impact, hands‑on role for someone who loves to build, experiment, and turn innovative ideas into working solutions that make a meaningful difference across our global firm.
Working within our Innovation team, you will rapidly prototype, develop, and iterate new tools, workflows, and AI‑powered solutions — helping our people work smarter, faster, and more effectively. If you thrive in fast‑moving environments, enjoy collaborating across teams, and have a passion for creating real, usable technology, we’d love to hear from you.
Working at Freshfields
You’ll join a fast-paced, globally connected team focused on shaping the future of legal work. We work in a hybrid model, collaborating with colleagues across time zones, and delivering impactful tools and technologies that support our lawyers, business services teams, and clients.
What You’ll Be Doing
Rapid Prototyping & Solution Development
Build functional prototypes and proofs of concept to test new ideas quickly.
Develop minimum viable products to support go/no-go decisions.
Iterate fast — using user feedback to refine, improve, and validate solutions.
Create automation workflows and system integrations to enhance efficiency.
Document your approach, decisions, and learnings to support future builds.
AI & Emerging Technology
Design and deploy AI-powered agents, assistants, and intelligent workflows.
Evaluate and experiment with emerging technologies to identify opportunities for legal applications.
Translate complex technical capabilities into practical, real-world use cases.
Advise on feasibility, technical complexity, and implementation considerations.
Collaboration & Handover
Work closely with Innovation Ideation & Adoption Managers to understand user needs.
Partner with IT and Information Security to ensure compliance with firm standards.
Prepare successful prototypes for production handover through clear technical documentation.
Support user testing by addressing bugs and refining functionality.
Technical Operations & Continuous Improvement
Maintain a library of reusable components and templates to speed up future innovation.
Manage development environments for safe experimentation.
Monitor prototype performance to guide iteration and prioritisation.
Identify new opportunities through hands-on exploration and experimentation.
What You’ll Bring
Technical Skills
Strong experience in Python, JavaScript or similar languages, and Copilot Studio
Exposure to AI/ML platforms, LLMs, and agent frameworks.
Comfort with low-code/no-code tools (e.g., Power Platform, Zapier, Make).
Understanding of APIs, integrations, and system architecture.
Experience operating in enterprise IT environments.
Professional Skills
A builder’s mindset — action‑oriented, pragmatic, and curious.
Ability to ship solutions quickly in ambiguous environments.
Clear communicator who can explain technical concepts to non‑technical audiences.
Comfortable iterating, experimenting, and learning from what doesn’t work.
Experience in legal tech or professional services is beneficial, but not required.
Why Join Us?
Influence meaningful innovation in a world-leading international law firm.
Work with cutting‑edge technologies — including AI agents, automation, and low‑code platforms.
See the direct impact of your work through rapid prototyping and delivery.
Collaborate with global teams committed to reimagining how legal work gets done.
Join a culture that embraces experimentation, continuous learning, and transformation.
Inclusion
Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered by the firm on the basis of their merit alone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. All offers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having/securing the right to work in the UK and providing the firm with evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing.
Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer. We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case by case basis and take a number of factors into account (e.g. the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence). You would have the opportunity to discuss the matter with us before we make a decision.
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What We Do
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is a global law firm with a long-standing track record of successfully supporting the world's leading national and multinational corporations, financial institutions and governments on ground-breaking and business-critical mandates. Our 2,800-plus lawyers deliver results worldwide through our own offices and alongside leading national firms. Our commitment and business know-how mean our clients rely on us when it matters most. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has offices in Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, China, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, the United States of America and Vietnam.
