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LLM Engineer Jobs

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

Open roles
2
Salary range
£77k – £125k
Hiring companies
2
View 2 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

£77k – £125k

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

Python
100%
Go
100%
Kubernetes
100%
OpenShift
100%
API Security
100%
Generative AI
100%
LLM Security
100%
Prompt Engineering
100%
DevSecOps
100%
MLSecOps
100%
CI/CD
100%
Cloud-Native Architecture
100%
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

2 live roles

Isomorphic Labs logo

Research Engineer (LLM Performance), London

You will work on optimizing large language models for performance and scalability within a cutting-edge AI-driven drug discovery environment. The role involves implementing post-training methods, diagnosing bottlenecks in distributed systems, and deploying low-precision techniques to support real-world drug design applications. Collaboration with interdisciplinary research teams is central to translating novel AI methods into production-ready systems.

Isomorphic Labs London, United Kingdom

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
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.

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