Manager - Lead AI Engineer in City of London

Manager - Lead AI Engineer in City of London

City of London Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead AI projects and develop cutting-edge production-grade systems in a collaborative environment.
  • Company: Join a Big 4 professional services firm at the forefront of AI innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hybrid working, and a chance to shape the future of audit technology.
  • Other info: Exciting growth opportunities in a dynamic tech environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact with AI while mentoring the next generation of engineers.
  • Qualifications: Strong Python skills and experience in AI engineering and backend development required.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.

A high-impact engineering leadership role at one of the world's most respected professional services firms, building production-grade AI systems that are reshaping the future of audit delivery.

Location: London / Manchester / Leeds / Glasgow (hybrid, flexible working available)

Job Type: Permanent, Full-time

Sector: Technology / AI Engineering / Professional Services

About the Company

Our client is a Big 4 professional services firm whose Audit Technology team is at the forefront of innovation, combining Artificial Intelligence, Data Engineering, Analytics and Software Development to transform how audit is delivered. Backed by a global network and significant investment in technology capability, the team has seen rapid growth in recent years and is building some genuinely exciting products at scale.

The Role

As Lead AI Engineer you will report to the AI Engineering Squad Lead and take ownership of the technical delivery of AI projects within your squad. From proof-of-concept through to enterprise-grade production deployment, you will apply expertise in AI engineering, cloud platforms and generative AI to embed intelligence into critical audit workflows. You will also mentor junior engineers, promote best practices, and foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

  • Leading hands-on technical delivery of AI projects, contributing actively to codebases and architectural decisions
  • Developing and deploying production-grade AI systems using Azure, Databricks and Generative AI tooling
  • Owning the implementation of ML pipelines, APIs and data integration workflows
  • Enforcing MLOps best practices, coding standards, version control and performance optimisation
  • Collaborating cross-functionally with data scientists, product managers, platform engineers, QA and audit professionals
  • Mentoring junior engineers and contributing to internal capability-building and knowledge-sharing initiatives

Skills & Experience Required

  • Significant senior backend development experience with strong Python proficiency (async programming, concurrency, multithreading)
  • Expertise in RESTful API design, OpenAPI/Swagger documentation and API lifecycle best practices
  • Hands-on experience with ML libraries: PyTorch, PySpark, scikit-learn, Hugging Face Transformers
  • Proficiency in AI tooling: Azure ML, Databricks, MLflow, LangChain, LangGraph
  • Proven experience with Git, unit testing, containerisation and agile methodologies (Jira, Confluence)
  • Good knowledge of generative AI, machine learning, deep learning or NLP
  • Strong communication skills - able to explain technical concepts to varied audiences

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree (Master's or PhD preferred) in Computer Science, AI, Data Science, Statistics, Engineering or a related technical field
  • Advanced certifications in AI, machine learning, cloud computing or data engineering - highly advantageous
  • Professional accounting qualification - desirable but not required

Nice to Have

  • Experience with Microsoft Graph API
  • Background in audit, financial services or regulated industry technology

What's on Offer

A competitive salary and benefits package, flexible hybrid working across 20+ UK locations, and the chance to be part of a rapidly growing technology capability at one of the world's leading professional services firms. There has never been a better time to join.

Manager - Lead AI Engineer in City of London employer: ANSON MCCADE

Join a leading Big 4 professional services firm that champions innovation in audit technology, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises collaboration and continuous improvement. With flexible hybrid working options across major UK cities, competitive salaries, and robust opportunities for professional growth, this role as a Manager - Lead AI Engineer allows you to make a significant impact while mentoring the next generation of engineers in a supportive environment.

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Contact Details:

ANSON MCCADE Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Manager - Lead AI Engineer in City of London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your AI projects, especially those that highlight your experience with Python, Azure, and ML tools. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common technical questions and scenarios related to AI engineering. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms, as communication is key in this role.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates.

We think you need these skills to ace Manager - Lead AI Engineer in City of London

AI Engineering
Cloud Platforms
Generative AI
Python Proficiency
RESTful API Design
OpenAPI/Swagger Documentation
ML Libraries (PyTorch, PySpark, scikit-learn, Hugging Face Transformers)

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your expertise in AI engineering, Python proficiency, and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how you can contribute to our team!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about AI and how your background aligns with our mission at StudySmarter. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality come through.

Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on any AI projects, don't hesitate to include them in your application. Whether it's a personal project or something from your previous job, we want to see your hands-on experience and creativity in action!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!

How to prepare for a job interview at ANSON MCCADE

Know Your AI Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of AI engineering, especially around the tools mentioned in the job description like Azure ML and Databricks. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with ML libraries and how you've applied them in real-world projects.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Manager - Lead AI Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and mentor. Prepare examples of how you've guided junior engineers or contributed to team success in previous roles. Highlight your experience in promoting best practices and fostering collaboration.

Get Technical with Examples

Be prepared to dive deep into technical discussions. Bring specific examples of your work with RESTful APIs, MLOps best practices, and performance optimisation. This is your chance to show off your coding skills and architectural decision-making.

Communicate Clearly

Strong communication skills are key for this role. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms, as you'll need to collaborate with various stakeholders. Think about how you can convey your ideas effectively during the interview.