At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI engineering strategy and design impactful AI solutions for a market-leading insurance company.
- Company: 1st Central, award-winning insurance firm with a people-focused culture.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid role, competitive salary, and supportive work environment.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI while making a real difference for 1.4 million customers.
- Qualifications: Expert in Python, modern AI frameworks, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
We’re 1st Central, a market-leading insurance company utilising smart data and technology at pace. Rapid growth has been based on giving our 1.4 million customers exactly what they want: great value insurance with an excellent service. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Principal AI Engineer to join us as a senior technical authority for AI and Generative AI, defining our long-term AI engineering strategy and leading the design of enterprise‑grade solutions that deliver safe, scalable and high‑impact AI across the business.
You’ll build secure, scalable multi‑provider AI platforms, leveraging third‑party capabilities where they add value that minimise vendor lock‑in and support rapid experimentation across Azure OpenAI and alternative LLM ecosystems. You’ll also shape the design of agentic AI systems, orchestration layers, and integration patterns that support flexible, production‑ready AI solutions at pace. Working closely with Enterprise Architecture, Security, Data, Platforms, and senior business leaders, you’ll ensure all AI solutions are robust, compliant, and aligned to organisational goals.
You’ll also provide technical leadership across the engineering community, mentoring senior engineers, setting technical governance standards, and championing responsible and ethical AI practices. This is a flexible hybrid role, with occasional visits to our offices in Salford Quays (Manchester) or Haywards Heath (West Sussex) when needed. We offer excellent flexibility in working patterns, along with a supportive, people‑focused culture that we’re proud of.
Core skills we’re looking for to succeed in the role:
- Python & Modern AI Framework Expertise: Expert‑level Python development and strong familiarity with modern AI frameworks (e.g., LangChain or equivalent).
- Systems Architecture & Distributed Design: Exceptional system design and architectural reasoning skills, particularly for distributed and AI‑driven systems.
- Innovation, Pragmatism & Operational Awareness: Ability to balance innovation with pragmatism, risk, and operational constraints.
- Communication, Influence & Stakeholder Engagement: Outstanding communication and influencing skills, able to engage effectively at engineer, architect, and executive levels.
- AI Reliability & Governance: Demonstrable leadership in AI Ops, including monitoring, governance and operational resilience.
- Strategic Thinking with Hands‑On Delivery: Strong strategic thinking combined with the ability to remain hands‑on when required.
Check out the full job profile on our career pages and apply today.
Principal AI Engineer in Haywards Heath employer: 1st Central
At 1st Central, we pride ourselves on being an award-winning employer, recognised for our commitment to employee satisfaction and growth. Our flexible hybrid working model, combined with a supportive culture and opportunities for professional development, makes us an ideal place for talented individuals to thrive. Join us in Salford Quays or Haywards Heath, where you can contribute to innovative AI solutions while enjoying a great work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal AI Engineer in Haywards Heath
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your AI projects, especially those using Python and modern frameworks. This will give you an edge and demonstrate your hands-on experience to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your communication skills. Practice explaining complex AI concepts in simple terms, as you'll need to engage effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our awesome team at 1st Central.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal AI Engineer in Haywards Heath
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal AI Engineer role. Highlight your Python expertise and experience with modern AI frameworks, as these are key skills we're looking for. Use specific examples that showcase your systems architecture and distributed design skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for AI and how you can contribute to our mission at 1st Central. Mention your strategic thinking and hands-on delivery experience, and don’t forget to express your enthusiasm for working in a flexible, people-focused culture.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Principal AI Engineer, you'll be providing technical leadership. Make sure to highlight any mentoring or governance roles you've had in previous positions. We want to see how you've influenced teams and championed responsible AI practices.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s super easy, and you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our career pages!
How to prepare for a job interview at 1st Central
✨Know Your AI Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your Python skills and modern AI frameworks like LangChain. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how you've applied these technologies in real-world scenarios. This will show that you're not just a theorist but someone who can deliver practical solutions.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to think strategically while also being hands-on. Discuss how you've balanced innovation with operational constraints in previous roles. This will demonstrate that you understand the bigger picture while still being able to dive into the details when necessary.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
Practice articulating complex technical concepts in a way that's easy for non-technical stakeholders to understand. You’ll need to engage with engineers, architects, and executives, so being able to adapt your communication style is key. Think of examples where you've successfully influenced decisions or led discussions.
✨Emphasise Ethical AI Practices
Be prepared to discuss your views on responsible and ethical AI. Share any experiences you have with AI governance and operational resilience. This shows that you’re not only focused on delivering results but also on doing so in a way that aligns with organisational values and compliance standards.
