AI Engineer Jobs

Developers who build and deploy AI systems, from research to production. A role that bridges the gap between theory and application, with a focus on creating intelligent software solutions.

Open roles
137
Salary range
£30k – £108k
Hiring companies
61

AI Engineers are at the forefront of technological innovation, designing and implementing AI systems that solve complex problems. They work across a range of industries, from tech giants to research-heavy startups, and their role involves both theoretical research and practical application. AI Engineers are responsible for developing algorithms, models, and systems that can learn from data, make predictions, and automate tasks. This role requires a strong foundation in computer science, mathematics, and statistics, as well as proficiency in programming languages like Python and frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch.

What the role does

Inside the role of an AI Engineer

A typical week for an AI Engineer is a mix of research, development, and collaboration. They spend time coding, testing, and refining models, while also engaging with cross-functional teams to integrate AI solutions into existing systems.

  1. 01
    Design and implement machine learning models
  2. 02
    Optimise algorithms for performance and efficiency
  3. 03
    Collaborate with data scientists and software engineers
  4. 04
    Conduct experiments and analyse results
  5. 05
    Document processes and findings
  6. 06
    Stay updated with the latest AI research and tools
Salary on the board

£30k – £108k

Based on advertised midpoints across the 400 priced listings posted in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

Salary visibility
32% of listings advertise a salary — up from 0% the year before.
By seniority
£k base
Junior
30
77
5 jobs
Mid
45
100
68 jobs
Senior
60
130
67 jobs
Lead
60
149
24 jobs
Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 155 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

Python
74%
RAG
35%
Machine Learning
30%
AWS
30%
Azure
30%
LangChain
27%
CI/CD
26%
Prompt Engineering
25%
Generative AI
21%
LLMs
21%
SQL
20%
LLM
19%
Career ladder

From Junior to Principal

A typical UK progression for ai engineers. Years are guidance — strong people move faster, and many senior folks sidestep into research, product or management.

  1. Level 1

    Junior AI Engineer

    0–2 yrs

    Assist in the development and testing of AI models, with a focus on learning and gaining hands-on experience.

  2. Level 2

    AI Engineer

    2–5 yrs

    Take ownership of specific projects, from initial design to deployment, and contribute to the overall architecture of AI systems.

  3. Level 3

    Senior AI Engineer

    5–8 yrs

    Lead the development of complex AI solutions, mentor junior team members, and ensure the quality and reliability of AI systems.

  4. Level 4

    Principal AI Engineer

    8+ yrs

    Drive strategic initiatives, innovate in AI research, and guide the technical direction of the organisation.

Pathway

How to become a AI Engineer

There's no single route, but most people follow some version of these steps.

  1. 1

    Learn the Fundamentals

    Gain a strong foundation in computer science, mathematics, and statistics. Familiarise yourself with programming languages like Python and AI frameworks.

  2. 2

    Build Practical Skills

    Work on personal or open-source projects to apply your knowledge. Participate in hackathons and coding challenges to gain real-world experience.

  3. 3

    Gain Industry Experience

    Start your career as a Junior AI Engineer, working on smaller projects and learning from more experienced colleagues.

  4. 4

    Specialise in a Domain

    Choose a specific area of AI, such as computer vision or natural language processing, and deepen your expertise in that domain.

  5. 5

    Lead Projects

    Take on more responsibility by leading AI projects, managing teams, and ensuring the successful delivery of AI solutions.

  6. 6

    Innovate and Influence

    Contribute to cutting-edge research, influence the direction of AI in your organisation, and mentor the next generation of AI Engineers.

Live jobs

137 live roles

See all 137 roles
Adecco logo

AI Engineer

Design and develop enterprise-scale Generative AI applications using LLMs, RAG, and AI Agents to automate business processes and enhance knowledge retrieval. Build production-grade solutions integrated with enterprise systems using Python, SQL, and REST APIs. Collaborate with technical and business teams in a hybrid working environment across major UK cities.

Adecco Manchester, United Kingdom £500 – £800 pd
Luminance logo

AI Engineer

This is a fantastic opportunity to join Luminance, the pioneer of Legal-Grade™ AI for enterprise. Backed by internationally renowned VCs and named in both the Forbes AI 50 list of ‘Most Promising Private AI Companies in the World’ and Inc....

Luminance Cambridge, United Kingdom
Hybrid Permanent

AI Engineer

Design and build generative AI applications, intelligent assistants, and automation solutions using LLMs, RAG, and agentic AI frameworks. Work within a major enterprise AI programme for a global bank, integrating AI services via APIs and cloud platforms while supporting engineering teams in adopting cutting-edge AI technologies. Focus on real-world deployment of copilots and AI-driven workflows.

DCV Technologies London, United Kingdom £600 – £650 pd
Hybrid Contract Clearance Required

AI Engineer

Design and lead the development of production-grade Generative AI and LLM systems, from research through deployment. Focus on scalable, secure AI pipelines and agentic architectures for enterprise clients. Work across the full lifecycle, including data acquisition, model development, and evaluation in a hybrid London-based role with client travel.

Lawrence Harvey London, United Kingdom £60,000 – £95,000 pa

AI Engineer

An AI Engineer will design, build, and ship full-stack applications using TypeScript and AWS, with a focus on rapid prototyping and AI-assisted development. The role involves creating AI and generative AI features, deploying cloud-native solutions, and collaborating across product, design, and data teams. The engineer will own features end-to-end in an Agile environment, balancing production code with fast iteration on new concepts.

167 Solutions Bristol, United Kingdom £40,000 – £70,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

AI Engineer

Design and build enterprise-grade AI applications using .NET, Azure, and Microsoft AI technologies. Develop production-ready software with agentic AI, RAG, and vector search capabilities integrated into core business systems. Work across the full development lifecycle in a dedicated AI engineering team.

Amtis Professional Blacon, Cheshire, CH1 5HN, United Kingdom £50,000 – £60,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

AI Engineer

This role involves designing, developing, and deploying cutting-edge AI and Machine Learning solutions, including Generative AI applications, conversational AI platforms, and voice technologies. You will work closely with AI Technical Leads, Product Teams, and Data Scientists to build enterprise AI solutions and ensure they are secure, scalable, and compliant with governance standards.

167 Solutions London, United Kingdom £80,000 – £130,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent
Adecco logo

AI Engineer - London

Design and develop AI-powered applications, automation solutions, and intelligent agents using Microsoft Copilot Studio, Azure AI, and Power Platform. Build proof-of-concepts and Python-based services to integrate AI into enterprise systems, focusing on workflow automation and enhancing user experiences. Collaborate with stakeholders and development teams across a higher education environment.

Adecco London, United Kingdom £47,000 – £51,000 pa
FAQs

Common questions

  • Python is the most widely used language in AI, but knowledge of C++, Java, and R can also be beneficial.

  • Strong programming skills, a solid understanding of algorithms and data structures, and proficiency in machine learning frameworks are crucial.

  • While a PhD can be beneficial, especially for research roles, many successful AI Engineers have backgrounds in computer science or related fields without a PhD.

  • Salaries for AI Engineers can vary widely based on experience, location, and industry. For more detailed salary information, please refer to the salary section on this page.

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