Future Tech Jobs Future Tech Jobs

LLM Engineer Jobs

Engineers who build and optimise large language models. A rapidly growing specialism with high commercial demand.

Open roles
4
Salary range
£57k – £118k
Hiring companies
4
View 4 live roles → Get an alert

LLM Engineers are at the forefront of the AI revolution, focusing on the development and optimisation of large language models (LLMs). These models are the backbone of many cutting-edge applications, from chatbots and virtual assistants to advanced natural language processing (NLP) systems. LLM Engineers work in a variety of settings, from research-heavy startups to large tech companies, where they collaborate with data scientists, researchers, and product teams to create and refine models that can understand and generate human-like text. The role demands a deep understanding of machine learning, natural language processing, and software engineering.

What the role does

Inside the role of an LLM Engineer

A typical week for an LLM Engineer is a mix of model development, experimentation, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

  1. 01
    Design and implement new model architectures.
  2. 02
    Optimise existing models for performance and efficiency.
  3. 03
    Collaborate with data scientists to improve data quality.
  4. 04
    Conduct experiments to test and validate model improvements.
  5. 05
    Document findings and present results to the team.
  6. 06
    Stay updated with the latest research and industry trends.
Salary on the board

£57k – £118k

Based on advertised midpoints across the 3 priced listings posted in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

Salary visibility
30% of listings advertise a salary.
Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 3 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

Python
100%
Go
67%
Prompt Engineering
67%
Machine Learning
67%
LLM
67%
Kubernetes
33%
OpenShift
33%
API Security
33%
Generative AI
33%
LLM Security
33%
DevSecOps
33%
MLSecOps
33%
Career ladder

From Junior to Principal

A typical UK progression for llm engineers. Years are guidance — strong people move faster, and many senior folks sidestep into research, product or management.

  1. Level 1

    Junior LLM Engineer

    0–2 yrs

    Assist in the development and testing of LLMs, focusing on understanding the basics of model architecture and data preparation.

  2. Level 2

    LLM Engineer

    2–5 yrs

    Take ownership of specific components of LLMs, contributing to the design, implementation, and optimisation of models.

  3. Level 3

    Senior LLM Engineer

    5–8 yrs

    Lead the development of complex LLM projects, mentor junior engineers, and drive innovation in model architecture and performance.

  4. Level 4

    Principal LLM Engineer

    8+ yrs

    Oversee the entire LLM development lifecycle, from research to deployment, and guide the strategic direction of AI initiatives within the organisation.

Pathway

How to become a LLM Engineer

There's no single route, but most people follow some version of these steps.

  1. 1

    Learn the Fundamentals

    Gain a solid understanding of machine learning, NLP, and software engineering principles.

  2. 2

    Build Practical Skills

    Work on small-scale projects to develop hands-on experience with LLMs and related technologies.

  3. 3

    Specialise in LLMs

    Focus on advanced topics in LLM development, such as model optimisation and data preprocessing.

  4. 4

    Contribute to Research

    Participate in cutting-edge research and contribute to the development of new LLM techniques and applications.

  5. 5

    Lead Projects

    Take on leadership roles in LLM projects, guiding teams and driving innovation.

  6. 6

    Strategic Direction

    Influence the strategic direction of AI initiatives within the organisation, shaping the future of LLM technology.

Live jobs

4 live roles

HAYS Specialist Recruitment logo

Senior AI/ML Engineer (LLM's / RAG Pipeline Development)

This role involves hands-on development and deployment of LLM-based applications into production environments. The Senior AI/ML Engineer will bridge the gap between advanced AI/ML and production-grade software, working in a newly formed R&D team to influence how AI capabilities are embedded into existing and new products. The role offers opportunities for leadership and growth within a fast-growing, market-leading company.

HAYS Specialist Recruitment Guildford, United Kingdom £85,000 – £125,000 pa
On-site Permanent

Graduate Software Engineer (AI / LLM)

Work on AI and ML systems for a cloud platform that transforms audio and video into structured data. Engage in prompt engineering, retrieval systems, computer vision, and backend development within a small, agile R&D team. The role offers broad technical exposure and close collaboration with experienced engineers.

Enterprise Recruitment Charing Cross, London, United Kingdom £50,000 – £70,000 pa
On-site Permanent

AI Security Software Engineer (GenAI & LLM Security)

This role involves designing and building secure platforms to protect enterprise Generative AI and Large Language Model (LLM) applications from emerging threats such as prompt injection and adversarial inputs. The engineer will develop automated security testing frameworks, create robust APIs, and contribute to cloud-native, distributed systems operating at scale. Collaboration with global engineering, cybersecurity, and operations teams is central, with an emphasis on shaping secure AI adoption through resilient software design and best practices in AI security and DevSecOps.

83zero London, City And County Of the City Of London, United Kingdom £85,000 – £90,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent
Adecco logo

Research Scientist/Engineer - Multimodal AI & LLM

Research Scientist / Research Engineer - Multimodal AI & Large Language ModelsLocation: LondonSalary: £(phone number removed) per annum + permanent benefits + bonusJob Type: Permanent, Full-Time, On-siteAbout the OpportunityWe are partnering with an innovative research organisation at the forefront of...

Adecco London, United Kingdom
Hiring locations

Where this role is hiring

The locations with the most live listings for this role today.

London

Location
2 open
FAQs

Common questions

  • Essential skills include a strong foundation in machine learning, natural language processing, and software engineering. Proficiency in programming languages like Python and frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch is also crucial.

  • Career progression typically starts with a Junior LLM Engineer role, advancing to LLM Engineer, Senior LLM Engineer, and eventually Principal LLM Engineer. Each step involves increasing responsibility and leadership.

  • Key challenges include managing the computational resources required for training large models, ensuring model accuracy and reliability, and addressing ethical and privacy concerns in AI applications.

  • Salary ranges can vary widely based on experience, location, and the specific company. For detailed salary information, please refer to the salary section on this page.

Hiring llm engineers?

Post your role in 90 seconds and reach the specialist audience that already reads this page.

Post a job → See pricing

🍪 Basic, anonymous analytics (aggregate counts only, never shared) are always on. Accept to also enable third-party tools — Google Analytics, Microsoft Clarity, Mixpanel, Leadfeeder — which help us match you with relevant Artificial Intelligence roles. We never sell your data or use it for cross-site advertising. See our Cookie Policy.