Senior AI Data Scientist

Tesco Technology
Welwyn Garden City
1 month ago
Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Senior Optimisation Data Scientist Contract

Senior Data Scientist - Healthcare

Senior Data Scientist & Machine Learning Researcher

Senior Data Scientist & Machine Learning Researcher

Senior Data Scientist & Machine Learning Researcher

Senior Data Scientist - AI Practice Team

Senior AI Data Scientist

Join to apply for the Senior AI Data Scientist role at Tesco Technology.


About the role

At Tesco, our Data Science team builds scalable solutions to complex business challenges across stores, online, supply chain, marketing and Clubcard. We apply advanced machine learning, generative AI, and large language models (LLMs) to personalise customer experiences, optimise operations and drive innovation. We work across several business domains, including customer experience, online, fulfilment, distribution, commodities, store operations and technology. Team members rotate across domains to broaden their expertise and impact.


We foster a culture of continuous learning, dedicating 10% of the working week to personal development. Our team benefits from academic partnerships, regular knowledge‑sharing events and a collaborative, inclusive environment that values work‑life balance and professional growth.


Responsibilities

  • Operate within a fast‑pacing team to create new customer growth.
  • Own end‑to‑end experimentation, rapid shipping, and lean implementation across all tasks.
  • Design and ship production‑grade LLM systems and shared platform capabilities that power experiences for millions.
  • Accelerate GenAI use cases across the business, from rapid prototypes to production code.
  • Learn quickly and apply new skills effectively, remaining solution‑oriented and curious.
  • Translate complex business challenges into actionable AI solutions.
  • Explain technical concepts clearly to non‑technical stakeholders, including senior leaders.
  • Guide junior team members, fostering a culture of learning and promoting best practices in AI.
  • Influence decision‑making and gain buy‑in in ambiguous or challenging environments.

Qualifications

  • Practical experience applying LLMs, including:

    • Managing context windows effectively
    • Selecting appropriate models for specific tasks
    • Implementing safety guardrails and alignment techniques
    • Decomposing complex tasks into model‑friendly components

  • In‑depth understanding of LLM architectures, training methodologies, and usage patterns.
  • Strong experience evaluating and validating data pipelines and ML systems.
  • Familiarity with AI‑specific evaluation methods, including quantitative metrics and qualitative assessments.
  • Ability to make well‑reasoned decisions grounded in technical understanding and real‑world constraints.
  • Pragmatic approach to experimentation and solution design.
  • Track record of explaining complex technical concepts in a clear, concise manner to non‑technical audiences.
  • Experience guiding junior team members, fostering a culture of learning, and promoting best practices in AI.
  • Ability to work effectively with colleagues from diverse disciplines (software engineering, UX design, data analysis, product management, business leadership).
  • Skilled at influencing decision‑making and gaining buy‑in.

What's in it for you?

  • Annual bonus scheme of up to 20% of base salary.
  • Holiday starting at 25 days plus a personal day (plus Bank holidays).
  • Private medical insurance.
  • 26 weeks maternity and adoption leave (after 1 year’s service) at full pay, followed by 13 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay or Statutory Adoption Pay, and 6 weeks fully paid paternity leave.
  • Free 24/7 virtual GP service, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for you and your family, free access to a range of experts to support your mental well‑being.

About Us

Our vision at Tesco is to become every customer’s favourite way to shop, whether they are at home or out on the move. Our core purpose is “Serving our customers, communities and planet a little better every day”. We are proud of an inclusive culture where everyone truly feels able to be themselves and recognise the value and opportunity diversity brings. We are committed to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process.


Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level


Employment type

Full‑time


Job function

Engineering and Information Technology


Location

London, England, United Kingdom


#J-18808-Ljbffr

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

How Many AI Tools Do You Need to Know to Get an AI Job?

If you are job hunting in AI right now it can feel like you are drowning in tools. Every week there is a new framework, a new “must-learn” platform or a new productivity app that everyone on LinkedIn seems to be using. The result is predictable: job seekers panic-learn a long list of tools without actually getting better at delivering outcomes. Here is the truth most hiring managers will quietly agree with. They do not hire you because you know 27 tools. They hire you because you can solve a problem, communicate trade-offs, ship something reliable and improve it with feedback. Tools matter, but only in service of outcomes. So how many AI tools do you actually need to know? For most AI job seekers: fewer than you think. You need a tight core toolkit plus a role-specific layer. Everything else is optional. This guide breaks it down clearly, gives you a simple framework to choose what to learn and shows you how to present your toolset on your CV, portfolio and interviews.

What Hiring Managers Look for First in AI Job Applications (UK Guide)

Hiring managers do not start by reading your CV line-by-line. They scan for signals. In AI roles especially, they are looking for proof that you can ship, learn fast, communicate clearly & work safely with data and systems. The best applications make those signals obvious in the first 10–20 seconds. This guide breaks down what hiring managers typically look for first in AI applications in the UK market, how to present it on your CV, LinkedIn & portfolio, and the most common reasons strong candidates get overlooked. Use it as a checklist to tighten your application before you click apply.

The Skills Gap in AI Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept. It is already reshaping how businesses operate, how decisions are made, and how entire industries compete. From finance and healthcare to retail, manufacturing, defence, and climate science, AI is embedded in critical systems across the UK economy. Yet despite unprecedented demand for AI talent, employers continue to report severe recruitment challenges. Vacancies remain open for months. Salaries rise year on year. Candidates with impressive academic credentials often fail technical interviews. At the heart of this disconnect lies a growing and uncomfortable truth: Universities are not fully preparing graduates for real-world AI jobs. This article explores the AI skills gap in depth—what is missing from many university programmes, why the gap persists, what employers actually want, and how jobseekers can bridge the divide to build a successful career in artificial intelligence.