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
152
Salary range
£28k – £300k
Hiring companies
51

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

152 live roles

See all 152 roles

Senior Golang Engineer - AI Product & Platforms - Citi

Discover your future at CitiWorking at Citi is far more than just a job. A career with us means joining a team of more than 230,000 dedicated people from around the globe. At Citi, you'll have the opportunity to grow...

eFinancialCareers London, United Kingdom

Senior Security Engineer - AI Products & Platforms - Citi

Discover your future at CitiWorking at Citi is far more than just a job. A career with us means joining a team of more than 230,000 dedicated people from around the globe. At Citi, you'll have the opportunity to grow...

eFinancialCareers London, United Kingdom
NVIDIA logo

Senior HPC AI Cluster Engineer

This role involves designing, implementing, and maintaining large-scale HPC/AI clusters, managing job/workload schedules, and developing CI/CD pipelines. You will work closely with HPC, OS, GPU compute, and systems specialists to architect and optimize performance platforms, and support R&D activities.

Remote Permanent
NVIDIA logo

Senior HPC AI Cluster Engineer

This role involves designing, implementing, and maintaining large-scale HPC and AI clusters, working with the latest GPU and deep learning technologies. You will collaborate with researchers, developers, and customers to optimize system performance and develop new solutions.

Remote Permanent

Head of Advanced AI Engineering

As the Head of Advanced AI Engineering, you will lead a team of applied research and development engineers to evaluate emerging AI technologies, build MVPs, and transition them into scalable engineering solutions. You will work closely with senior leadership to shape the technical direction and drive AI innovation, focusing on creating industry-leading AI-powered products and services that enhance customer engagement and service excellence.

Lloyds Banking Group Ec2V7Ae, EC2V 7AE, United Kingdom £137,848 – £209,440 pa
Hybrid Permanent
Incubator for AI logo

Head of Applied AI Engineering

This role involves leading the technical direction and delivery of ambitious AI products for the UK Government. You will make high-stakes decisions, lead a team of AI engineers, and translate political priorities into actionable technical strategies, with direct engagement with senior government officials.

Incubator for AI United Kingdom
Hybrid Permanent Clearance Required
Faculty AI logo

Director, AI Engineering

Lead the technical vision and delivery of AI solutions for financial services clients, mentoring engineering teams and shaping strategic direction. This role involves hands-on guidance on complex machine learning projects, defining best practices in MLOps and systems architecture, and representing the company as a senior technical authority in client engagements. The position emphasizes thought leadership, team development, and advancing responsible AI in banking, insurance, and asset management sectors.

Faculty AI London, United Kingdom
Hybrid Permanent
OpenAI logo

AI Deployment Engineer, Large Enterprise

This role involves working closely with customers to deploy and scale Generative AI applications, from initial strategy to production. Responsibilities include technical guidance, prototyping, and collaborating with internal teams to drive successful outcomes and inform product development.

OpenAI London, United Kingdom
Hybrid Permanent
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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