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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
150
Salary range
£28k – £300k
Hiring companies
51
View 150 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

£28k – £300k

Based on advertised midpoints across the 297 priced listings posted in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

By seniority
£k base
Entry
35
55
2 jobs
Junior
45
95
1 job
Mid
28
130
48 jobs
Senior
40
300
38 jobs
Lead
60
150
10 jobs
Director
120
209
3 jobs
Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 140 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

Python
74%
AWS
34%
Azure
34%
AI
28%
LangChain
26%
Machine Learning
26%
CI/CD
25%
RAG
23%
LLMs
22%
Kubernetes
21%
Generative AI
20%
GCP
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

150 live roles

See all 150 roles →

AI Engineer

This role involves designing and delivering end-to-end agentic AI and LLM-based solutions for a leading investment house. You will work closely with business stakeholders to understand workflows, prototype AI systems, and integrate these solutions into existing enterprise systems, focusing on rapid delivery and measurable business impact.

eFinancialCareers London, United Kingdom
Hybrid Contract

AI Engineer

As an AI Engineer, you will work on developing an AI-powered platform for healthcare, focusing on building AI agents, generating clinical notes, and integrating AI features into core workflows. You'll collaborate closely with the Head of AI to shape the future of the AI function and contribute to both day-to-day operations and research-focused projects.

Salt Search London, United Kingdom £100,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

AI Engineer - Cardiff

This role involves leading the design, development, and deployment of advanced AI solutions to enhance operational efficiency and support business growth. You will collaborate with senior stakeholders, guide technical direction, and mentor a team of engineers while ensuring systems are secure, scalable, and compliant.

Circle Recruitment Cardiff, Cymru / Wales, CF10 2AF, United Kingdom £40,000 – £55,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

AI Engineer/Data Scientist

We are looking for an AI Engineer / Data Scientist to work with one of our clients in the defence sector. You will collaborate with the Technical Lead, Engineers and Architects to design, build and deliver secure digital solutions in...

Fuel Recruitment Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 7JT, United Kingdom £600 – £700 pd

AI Engineer - Enterprise Product AI

This role involves integrating AI and machine learning capabilities into mature enterprise SaaS products, with a focus on anomaly detection, predictive analytics, and production-grade MLOps. The engineer will work closely with product and engineering teams to design and deploy REST APIs, implement model monitoring, and contribute to a structured product roadmap. The position emphasizes technical delivery within compliance-aware and governance-oriented enterprise environments.

Infosec Bracknell, Berkshire, United Kingdom
Hybrid Permanent

AI Engineer - Stockton On Tees

As an AI Engineer, you will play a key role in shaping how the company adopts and implements artificial intelligence across its services and internal operations. You will design, develop, and deploy AI solutions, recommend tools and frameworks, and collaborate with colleagues to identify areas where AI can add value. This role offers significant autonomy and the opportunity to influence the company's AI strategy from the ground up.

Nextech Stockton-on-Tees, TS21 2EQ, United Kingdom £28,000 – £35,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent Flexible

AI Engineer - Financial Service Consulting

This role involves building production-grade AI solutions and intelligent workflows for financial services, working with LLMs, RAG pipelines, and scalable backend services. You will collaborate with engineering, architecture, and business teams to deploy and govern AI systems in a regulated environment.

Datatech London, United Kingdom
Hybrid Permanent

AI Engineer - Financial Services Consulting

This role involves building production-grade AI solutions for financial services, including platforms for risk, fraud, and automation. You will work with LLMs, RAG pipelines, and scalable backend services, collaborating across engineering, architecture, and business teams.

Datatech Manchester, United Kingdom
Hybrid Permanent
See all 150 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
46 open

Manchester

Location
7 open

Edinburgh

Location
3 open

Cambridge

Location
3 open

Birmingham

Location
2 open

Cardiff

Location
2 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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