Lead AI Research Engineer in Cambridge
Lead AI Research Engineer

Lead AI Research Engineer in Cambridge

Cambridge Full-Time 48000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our team to build and prototype cutting-edge AI technologies for real-world applications.
  • Company: AVEVA, a global leader in industrial software with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible benefits, 28 days annual leave, and education assistance.
  • Why this job: Make a tangible impact by turning AI research into practical solutions.
  • Qualifications: 8+ years in applied AI/ML engineering and strong Python skills required.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for career growth and development.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.

AVEVA is creating software trusted by over 90% of leading industrial companies.

We are seeking a Senior AI Research Engineer to join our AI Investigation and Incubation team. This is a hands-on engineering role, focused on building, prototyping, validating, and operationalising emerging AI technologies for real-world industrial intelligence use cases. This role is not a pure academic research position. We are looking for engineers who turn AI research into working systems, make architectural trade-offs, and prove feasibility through code, experiments, and deployable prototypes. The ideal candidate is an ML Research Engineer or Senior Data Scientist with strong practical instincts who thrives at the intersection of experimentation and production.

Key Responsibilities

  • Research and evaluate emerging AI technologies with a clear focus on practical applicability and deployability
  • Design, build, and iterate on working prototypes and proof-of-concepts
  • Develop, fine-tune, evaluate, and benchmark AI/ML models using real-world datasets
  • Assess AI approaches for scalability, reliability, cost, security, and operational feasibility
  • Make and document engineering and architectural decisions related to model deployment and integration
  • Collaborate with software engineers, architects, and platform teams to ensure AI solutions can transition into pilots and downstream products
  • Clearly document findings and present actionable recommendations to technical and business stakeholders
  • Support early-stage pilots and proof-of-value initiatives where AI solutions are exercised in realistic environments

Essential Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or related field
  • 8+ years experience in applied AI/ML engineering, data science, or ML research with production exposure
  • 3+ years of hands-on experience building, training, evaluating, and deploying ML models
  • Strong proficiency in Python and modern ML frameworks (e.g. PyTorch, TensorFlow, HuggingFace)
  • Solid understanding of AI/ML deployment patterns, including:
  • Batch and real-time inference
  • Model APIs and pipelines
  • Integration into distributed systems
  • Practical experience with modern AI paradigms, such as:
    • Foundation models / LLMs
    • Agent-based systems and orchestration
    • Context retrieval and augmentation techniques
  • Demonstrated ability to lead technical investigations and drive them to concrete outcomes
  • Ability to connect AI capabilities to practical industrial or enterprise use cases
  • Desirable Experience

    • Experience deploying ML models in cloud environments (Azure preferred, AWS acceptable)
    • Familiarity with MLOps practices (model versioning, evaluation, monitoring, iteration)
    • Experience working with non-ideal, real-world data rather than curated research datasets
    • Exposure to industrial, IoT, manufacturing, energy, or asset-intensive domains

    What Success Looks Like

    • AI ideas progress beyond research into validated, working prototypes
    • Technical investigations result in clear go / no-go recommendations
    • Prototypes demonstrate feasibility for real-world deployment, not just benchmark performance
    • Strong collaboration with engineering teams to enable transition into pilots or platforms
    • Tangible influence on AI roadmap and technology direction through evidence-backed engineering work

    R&D at AVEVA

    Our global team of 2000+ developers work on a diverse portfolio of over 75 industrial automation and engineering products, covering data management to 3D design. AI and cloud are at the centre of our strategy, and we have over 150 patents. We value learning, collaboration, and inclusivity. If you want to build applications that solve big problems, join us.

    UK Benefits

    • Flexible benefits fund, emergency leave days, adoption leave, 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), pension, life cover, private medical insurance, parental leave, education assistance program. Benefits may vary by country; primary location benefits apply where relevant.

    Hybrid Working

    By default, employees are expected to be in their local AVEVA office three days a week, but some positions are fully office-based. Roles supporting particular customers or markets may be remote.

    Hiring Process

    Interested? Submit your cover letter and CV through our application portal. AVEVA is committed to recruiting and retaining people with disabilities. Please let us know in advance if you need reasonable support during the application process.

    About AVEVA

    AVEVA is a global leader in industrial software with more than 6,500 employees in over 40 countries. Our solutions are used by thousands of enterprises to deliver essential services safely, efficiently, and more sustainably. We are committed to sustainability and inclusion.

    AVEVA requires all successful applicants to undergo and pass a drug screening and comprehensive background check before starting employment, in accordance with local laws. Some positions may involve additional checks for sensitive data. AVEVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, notify your recruiter. Determinations on accommodation requests are made on a case-by-case basis.

    Lead AI Research Engineer in Cambridge employer: AVEVA

    AVEVA is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the heart of Cambridge, London. With a strong commitment to employee growth, AVEVA provides extensive benefits including flexible working arrangements, generous leave policies, and opportunities for professional development, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the field of AI and industrial software.
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    Contact Detail:

    AVEVA Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Lead AI Research Engineer in Cambridge

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with people 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, prototypes, and any real-world applications you've worked on. This is your chance to demonstrate how you turn theory into practice.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and problem-solving skills. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how you tackled challenges. Practice makes perfect!

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at AVEVA.

    We think you need these skills to ace Lead AI Research Engineer in Cambridge

    Machine Learning Engineering
    Python Programming
    ML Frameworks (e.g. PyTorch, TensorFlow, HuggingFace)
    AI/ML Model Deployment
    Batch and Real-time Inference
    Model APIs and Pipelines
    Integration into Distributed Systems
    Foundation Models / LLMs
    Agent-based Systems and Orchestration
    Context Retrieval and Augmentation Techniques
    Technical Investigation Leadership
    Collaboration with Software Engineers
    Cloud Environments (Azure, AWS)
    MLOps Practices
    Real-world Data Handling

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Senior AI Research Engineer. Highlight your hands-on experience with AI/ML technologies and any relevant projects that showcase your ability to turn research into practical applications.

    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 skills align with our mission at AVEVA. Don’t forget to mention specific experiences that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities.

    Showcase Your Technical Skills: Be sure to highlight your proficiency in Python and any modern ML frameworks you've worked with. Mention any experience you have with deploying models in cloud environments, as this is a key aspect of the role.

    Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our application portal. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!

    How to prepare for a job interview at AVEVA

    ✨Know Your AI Stuff

    Make sure you brush up on the latest AI technologies and frameworks, especially those mentioned in the job description like PyTorch and TensorFlow. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with these tools and how you've applied them in real-world scenarios.

    ✨Showcase Your Prototyping Skills

    Prepare to talk about specific projects where you've designed and built prototypes or proof-of-concepts. Highlight the challenges you faced, the decisions you made, and how your work led to successful outcomes. This will demonstrate your practical instincts and ability to turn research into deployable solutions.

    ✨Collaboration is Key

    Since this role involves working closely with software engineers and architects, be ready to share examples of how you've collaborated in the past. Discuss how you’ve communicated technical findings to non-technical stakeholders and how you ensured smooth transitions from prototypes to production.

    ✨Prepare for Real-World Scenarios

    Think about how your AI solutions can be applied in industrial settings. Be prepared to discuss your experience with non-ideal data and how you've tackled challenges in deploying ML models in real-world environments. This will show that you understand the practical implications of your work.

    Lead AI Research Engineer in Cambridge
    AVEVA
    Location: Cambridge

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