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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 →
Harnham - Data & Analytics Recruitment logo

Principal AI Engineer

This role involves identifying high-impact opportunities to apply AI and advanced analytics, leading technical workstreams, and embedding solutions directly into client operations. You will work closely with multi-disciplinary teams, translating complex technical concepts into actionable insights and mentoring colleagues. The role offers significant influence on the company's growing digital capabilities and exposure to high-impact projects across various sectors.

Harnham - Data & Analytics Recruitment Manchester, United Kingdom £100,000 – £130,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

AI / Software Engineer

This role involves hands-on development of digital products using both traditional software engineering and modern AI tools like Claude, Codex, and Cursor. You will work closely with product and engineering teams to integrate AI solutions, improve development workflows, and contribute to backend development, particularly in PHP-based environments. The role offers a high-impact, collaborative environment with opportunities for growth and innovation.

Searchability Colchester, United Kingdom £35,000 – £70,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

AI Product Engineer (Full Stack / AI Systems)

This role involves designing and building AI-powered product features end-to-end, working with LLMs in production, and debugging AI behavior. You will collaborate with product, engineering, and operations teams to deliver customer-facing AI features, focusing on scalability, reliability, and real-world application of AI systems.

Adria Solutions Manchester, United Kingdom £60,000 – £85,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

AI Solutions Engineer

This role involves turning business challenges into practical AI and automation solutions. You will build and deploy tools, automate workflows, and develop dashboards to improve efficiency. Working closely with both technical and non-technical teams, you will identify opportunities for improvement and deliver scalable solutions, with a focus on communication and problem-solving.

Adria Solutions Nottingham, United Kingdom £60,000 – £90,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent
Luminance logo

AI Product Engineer

About UsThis 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...

Luminance London, United Kingdom
On-site Permanent
Multiverse logo

AI Solutions Engineer (Staff)

Multiverse is the upskilling platform for AI and Tech adoption.We have partnered with 1,500+ companies to deliver a new kind of learning that's transforming today’s workforce.Our upskilling apprenticeships are designed for people of any age and career stage to build...

Multiverse London, United Kingdom
Hybrid Permanent
Multiverse logo

AI Solutions Engineer

Multiverse is the upskilling platform for AI and Tech adoption.We have partnered with 1,500+ companies to deliver a new kind of learning that's transforming today’s workforce.Our upskilling apprenticeships are designed for people of any age and career stage to build...

Multiverse London, United Kingdom
Hybrid Permanent

AI Software Engineer

This role involves developing and implementing AI solutions, working remotely with occasional visits to client sites. The position requires a high level of security clearance (SC or MOD DV) and offers a competitive salary with a company bonus.

Searchability NS&D Bristol, United Kingdom £45,000 – £80,000 pa
Remote Permanent Clearance Required
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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