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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
82
Salary range
£30k – £150k
Hiring companies
25
View 82 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 236 priced listings posted in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

By seniority
£k base
Entry
35
55
1 job
Junior
40
50
2 jobs
Mid
42
130
16 jobs
Senior
40
120
15 jobs
Lead
55
130
3 jobs
Director
120
150
1 job
Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 1 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

Machine Learning
100%
NLP
100%
Computer Vision
100%
GenAI
100%
LLMs
100%
Technical Leadership
100%
Strategic Thinking
100%
Communication
100%
Technical Judgement
100%
First-Principles Thinking
100%
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

82 live roles

See all 82 roles →
PhysicsX logo

Senior AI Engineer - Platform

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
Harnham - Data & Analytics Recruitment logo

Senior AI Engineer

In this role, you will design, build, and operate AI-driven products that directly impact customer experience and operational efficiency. You will work with modern cloud technologies, develop and deploy AI agents on GCP, and integrate with internal systems via APIs. The role involves building robust evaluation and monitoring frameworks, ensuring security and compliance, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable and secure solutions.

Harnham - Data & Analytics Recruitment Sheffield, United Kingdom £80,000 – £90,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent Flexible
Harnham - Data & Analytics Recruitment logo

Senior AI Engineer

In this role, you will design, build, and operate AI-driven products that directly impact customer experience and operational efficiency. You will work on developing and deploying production-grade AI agents on GCP, integrating with internal systems, and building robust evaluation and monitoring frameworks. The role involves hands-on development, security, and compliance, with a focus on scalable and secure RAG pipelines.

Harnham - Data & Analytics Recruitment London, United Kingdom £80,000 – £90,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent Flexible

Senior Applied AI Engineer (.NET)

This role involves designing and building AI-powered features within a .NET environment, integrating commercial AI APIs, and establishing best practices for applied AI engineering. You will lead by example, mentor other engineers, and collaborate with product and engineering teams to deliver user-facing AI capabilities.

Adria Solutions Warrington, United Kingdom £75,000 – £85,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

Senior Agentic AI Engineer

This role involves designing, building, and deploying autonomous AI agents within Unity-based virtual environments. You will have significant ownership and influence over how AI shapes the future of virtual design, working closely with a specialized team on cutting-edge projects for a variety of clients.

Platform Recruitment Hertford, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom £85,000 – £120,000 pa
On-site Permanent

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

Senior Backend AI Engineer

This role involves designing and delivering AI orchestration systems and platform infrastructure, connecting AI models, workflows, and decision-making processes. You will work closely with product, data, and engineering teams to ensure the platform is secure, scalable, and compliant for enterprise use, while building cutting-edge AI-driven features from scratch.

Data Idols London, United Kingdom £95,000 – £105,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent
Experis logo

Head of AI Engineering

This role involves setting the technical vision for AI engineering, building and leading senior engineering teams, and owning the platform architecture for training, deploying, and monitoring AI systems. You will partner with product, data, and domain leaders to deliver real-world impact in high-trust, high-scale environments.

Experis Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom £120,000 – £150,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent
See all 82 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
16 open

Manchester

Location
3 open

Cambridge

Location
3 open

Bristol

Location
1 open

Sheffield

Location
1 open

Nottingham

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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