At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and deploy AI systems for innovative digital platforms.
- Company: Arena, a cutting-edge AI-driven digital entertainment company.
- Benefits: Work with a talented team, flexible environment, and opportunities for rapid growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced culture with freedom to experiment and innovate.
- Why this job: Join us to shape the future of AI in real-world applications.
- Qualifications: Strong software engineering skills and passion for AI development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Arena is building a new generation of AI-first digital entertainment platforms. Since 2021 we have launched multiple brands including MetaWin, WOW Vegas, BetZoo Media, Hit.com and Rolla, with more in development. Our platforms combine high-scale systems, immersive user experiences, and modern AI infrastructure. We operate globally with teams across London, Gibraltar & Miami. Unlike many companies, we aren’t constrained by legacy systems. We design and build AI-first platforms from the ground up, using modern infrastructure, distributed systems, and emerging AI tooling to move faster and build better products.
We’re looking for engineers who want to build real systems, deploy AI in production, and ship fast.
The Role: We’re enhancing our core development team with new opportunities for Applied AI Engineers / Forward Deployed Engineers. This team will work directly on the frontline of engineering and AI deployment, embedding AI capabilities into the core of our platforms. This is not a research role and not a corporate engineering job.
You Will:
- Design systems
- Build prototypes
- Deploy AI into production
- Work directly with product and engineering teams
- Ship software at high velocity
You will help define how AI is / could be used across our portfolio of products.
What You’ll Work On:
- Building AI-powered product features
- Developing LLM-powered systems and internal tooling
- Deploying AI agents, workflows, and automation
- Integrating multiple model providers and AI infrastructure
- Building backend services that support AI-driven applications
- Rapid prototyping and shipping new ideas into production
- Improving developer productivity with AI-native engineering workflows
We value engineers who are comfortable moving from concept → prototype → production quickly.
AI Tooling We’re Exploring: We Actively Experiment With Modern AI Engineering Ecosystems, Including AI Engineering Tools, Claude, Code, Codex, OpenRouter, OpenCode, OpenClaw Models, Kimi, Qwen, Frontier and open-source LLMs. Experience with multi-model orchestration and applied AI systems is particularly valuable.
What We’re Looking For: You are likely someone who:
- Has a strong software engineering foundation
- Builds things outside of work
- Has already experimented with LLM tooling or AI developer workflows
- Is comfortable working across backend systems and APIs
- Likes moving fast and shipping real software
- Is excited about the practical application of AI in production systems
We care far more about what you’ve built than where you’ve worked.
This Role Is Probably NOT For You If:
- You prefer slow-moving corporate environments
- You want highly structured roles and rigid process
- You are primarily interested in AI research rather than shipping products
Why Arena: AI-first engineering culture, build products used by millions of users, work with a small, highly capable team, freedom to experiment with new AI tooling and models, opportunity to shape how AI is deployed across a global product ecosystem.
If you’re an engineer who enjoys building quickly, experimenting with AI, and shipping real systems we want to hear from you.
Applied AI Engineer / Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) employer: Arena Entertainment
Arena is an exceptional employer for Applied AI Engineers, offering a dynamic and innovative work environment where you can build cutting-edge AI-driven digital platforms. With a strong emphasis on rapid prototyping and deployment, employees enjoy the freedom to experiment with modern AI tooling while collaborating closely with talented teams across global locations like London, Gibraltar, and Miami. The company fosters a culture of creativity and agility, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and the chance to make a significant impact in the evolving landscape of digital entertainment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Applied AI Engineer / Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE)
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Arena Entertainment or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Arena Entertainment.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Arena Entertainment.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Arena Entertainment that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Applied AI Engineer / Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Arena Entertainment.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Arena Entertainment and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arena Entertainment
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Arena Entertainment uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
