Contract - Principal AI Engineer
Contract - Principal AI Engineer

Contract - Principal AI Engineer

Slough Freelance 60000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join a cutting-edge AI R&D team to prototype AI-driven tools for finance.
  • Company: Work with a major financial player focused on innovative investment solutions.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work options and competitive pay of £700-£900 inside IR35.
  • Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI technology, collaborating with experts in a fast-paced environment.
  • Qualifications: Strong Python skills and experience in AI/ML; finance knowledge is a plus but not essential.
  • Other info: Open to both data scientists and engineers eager to learn and innovate.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.

Join a high-impact AI R&D team at a major financial player, where you will be working at the cutting edge of LLMs and agentic workflows in the investment space. The team partners with front office users to prototype AI-driven tools for research automation, portfolio construction, and decision support.

This is an R&D-focused role where you will be experimenting with Python, LangGraph (or similar), vector databases, and prompt orchestration to prove out what is possible - then handing off validated concepts to engineering teams for scale-up.

They are open to either data scientists or engineers with strong Python and AI experience. You will need to be comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and able to bridge technical experimentation with real investment use cases. If you have finance experience, that is great, but no worries if not, as long as you are willing to learn and engage with senior stakeholders.

Key experience:

  • Python for AI/ML, automation, or backend work
  • Hands-on with LLMs, agent frameworks, or prompt engineering
  • Exposure to investment data or a willingness to learn quickly
  • AWS (or similar cloud) and rapid prototyping mindset
  • Front-end exposure (e.g. React) is a nice-to-have but not required

If you are an experienced engineer or scientist with a strong background in Python and commercial AI experience, get in touch.

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Contact Detail:

Source Technology Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Contract - Principal AI Engineer

✨Tip Number 1

Network with professionals in the AI and finance sectors. Attend industry meetups or webinars to connect with people who work in similar roles. This can help you gain insights into the company culture and potentially get a referral.

✨Tip Number 2

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in AI, particularly in LLMs and agentic workflows. Being able to discuss recent advancements or case studies during your conversations will demonstrate your passion and knowledge in the field.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to showcase your hands-on experience with Python and AI tools. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've implemented AI solutions, as this will highlight your practical skills and problem-solving abilities.

✨Tip Number 4

Engage with the company's online presence. Follow them on social media, comment on their posts, and share relevant content. This shows your interest in the company and can help you stand out when applying through our website.

We think you need these skills to ace Contract - Principal AI Engineer

Python Programming
Machine Learning (ML)
Large Language Models (LLMs)
Prompt Engineering
Data Science
Automation Techniques
Vector Databases
Cloud Computing (AWS or similar)
Rapid Prototyping
Collaboration Skills
Technical Experimentation
Investment Data Familiarity
Stakeholder Engagement
Adaptability in Fast-Paced Environments

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with Python, AI/ML, and any relevant projects you've worked on. Emphasise your hands-on experience with LLMs and agent frameworks, as well as any exposure to investment data.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention specific projects or experiences that demonstrate your ability to bridge technical experimentation with real investment use cases.

Showcase Relevant Skills: Clearly outline your skills in Python, AWS, and rapid prototyping. If you have any experience with front-end technologies like React, be sure to include that as well, even if it's not a requirement.

Prepare for Technical Questions: Be ready to discuss your technical expertise in detail. Prepare examples of how you've used Python for AI/ML projects and be prepared to explain your approach to problem-solving in a fast-paced environment.

How to prepare for a job interview at Source Technology

✨Showcase Your Python Skills

Make sure to highlight your experience with Python, especially in AI/ML contexts. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've used Python for automation or backend work, as this is crucial for the role.

✨Demonstrate Your Understanding of LLMs

Since the role involves working with large language models, be ready to explain your knowledge and experience with them. Discuss any hands-on projects you've completed that involved LLMs or agent frameworks.

✨Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect technical questions that assess your problem-solving skills and understanding of AI concepts. Brush up on relevant topics like prompt engineering and vector databases, as these will likely come up during the interview.

✨Engage with Real-World Use Cases

Be prepared to discuss how your technical skills can translate into real investment scenarios. Even if you lack direct finance experience, showing a willingness to learn and engage with senior stakeholders will impress the interviewers.

Contract - Principal AI Engineer
Source Technology
Location: Slough
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