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

Gen AI Python Software Engineer - Citi

As a Gen AI Python Software Engineer at Citi, you will work on greenfield projects to build and deploy production-grade Generative AI solutions for financial markets. You will collaborate with a small, high-impact team to design and develop scalable, maintainable applications using Python and modern AI patterns, influencing the future of AI in finance.

eFinancialCareers Belfast, United Kingdom
Hybrid Permanent
NVIDIA logo

Senior HPC AI Cluster Engineer

This role involves designing, implementing, and maintaining large-scale HPC/AI clusters, managing job schedules, and developing CI/CD pipelines. You will work with the latest GPU and AI technologies, collaborate with researchers and developers, and support R&D activities.

Remote Permanent
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 with the latest GPU and AI technologies, collaborate with researchers and developers, and support R&D activities.

Remote Permanent

Senior Front End Engineer - AI Products - 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
HAYS Specialist Recruitment logo

AI Integration Engineer

This role involves designing and deploying end-to-end AI-powered solutions in secure, scalable production environments on Azure. The engineer will build backend services, integrate AI capabilities into business workflows, and ensure robust monitoring, security, and operational support. Collaboration with architects and product teams is key, along with mentoring junior engineers and advancing engineering standards.

HAYS Specialist Recruitment London, United Kingdom
Hybrid Permanent

AI Implementation Engineer

This role involves hands-on AI solution development from concept to deployment, working closely with IT, operational, and commercial teams. Responsibilities include building and deploying AI models, ensuring security and scalability, and driving business adoption of AI tools.

Adria Solutions Manchester, United Kingdom £50,000 – £85,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

AI Software Engineer - eDV Cleared

Design and develop AI-driven software solutions for national security applications, working within secure environments and collaborating with government stakeholders. Focus on delivering robust, scalable systems using modern software engineering practices. The role involves frequent travel to client sites across the UK.

Searchability NS&D London, United Kingdom £65,000 – £100,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent Clearance Required

AI Software Engineer

Design and implement AI-driven software solutions in a secure environment, working with advanced technologies and deploying systems that solve complex client challenges. The role involves collaboration with cross-functional teams and may require occasional travel to client sites. Focus on innovation, scalability, and robustness in AI model integration and deployment.

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