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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
44
Salary range
£30k – £150k
Hiring companies
12
View 44 live roles → Get an alert

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 – £150k

Based on advertised midpoints across the 221 priced listings posted in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

By seniority
£k base
Entry
35
55
1 job
Mid
42
130
13 jobs
Senior
40
120
12 jobs
Lead
85
130
2 jobs
Director
120
150
1 job
Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 18 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

Python
61%
AI
44%
Machine Learning
39%
PyTorch
33%
Solutions Architecture
33%
C/C++
28%
CUDA
28%
Docker
28%
Kubernetes
28%
vLLM
28%
SGLang
28%
Triton
28%
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

44 live roles

See all 44 roles →
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

Certain Advantage are recruiting on behalf of our Trading client for an AI Engineer on a contract basis for 6-12 months initially in London. This will require some onsite days in Central London during the week.We are seeking Engineers skilled...

Tatton Recruitment South Bank, London, SE1 9PZ, United Kingdom
Databricks logo

AI Engineer - FDE (Forward Deployed Engineer)

As an AI Engineer - FDE, you will work closely with customers to develop and deploy cutting-edge GenAI solutions, leveraging the latest techniques and tools. You will also collaborate with internal teams to shape strategic priorities and present at industry conferences, serving as a trusted technical advisor and thought leader.

Databricks United Kingdom
Remote Permanent
Luminance logo

AI Engineering Intern

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
PhysicsX logo

Principal AI Engineer

About us PhysicsX is a deep-tech company with roots in numerical physics and Formula One, dedicated to accelerating hardware innovation at the speed of software. We are building an AI-driven simulation software stack for engineering and manufacturing across advanced industries....

PhysicsX London, United Kingdom
PhysicsX logo

Senior AI Engineer - Applied

About us PhysicsX is a deep-tech company with roots in numerical physics and Formula One, dedicated to accelerating hardware innovation at the speed of software. We are building an AI-driven simulation software stack for engineering and manufacturing across advanced industries....

PhysicsX London, United Kingdom
Incubator for AI logo

Applied AI Engineer - Senior to Principal

This role involves working at the cutting edge of AI to develop and prototype solutions for real-world public sector problems. Responsibilities include rapid prototyping, model development, applied AI research, and translating ambiguous requirements into technical solutions. The team operates in a fast-paced, innovative environment with a focus on public impact.

Incubator for AI United Kingdom
Hybrid Permanent Clearance Required

Forward Deployed AI Engineer

Forward Deployed AI EngineerThe opportunityWe are looking for a Forward Deployed AI Engineer to serve as the critical bridge between Latent Labs’ frontier generative models and the customers who rely on them. You will work directly with pharmaceutical and biotech...

Latent Labs London, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Hybrid Permanent
See all 44 roles →
Top hirers

Companies hiring ai engineers

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Hiring locations

Where this role is hiring

The locations with the most live listings for this role today.

London

Location
14 open

Cambridge

Location
2 open

Bristol

Location
1 open

Reading

Location
1 open
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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