At a Glance
- Tasks: Build and ship AI systems in complex environments, turning real business problems into effective solutions.
- Company: Join a leading tech consultancy specialising in digital transformation and AI adoption.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for contract extensions based on performance.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic team where your contributions are visible and valued.
- Why this job: Make a tangible impact in AI adoption while working with cutting-edge technologies.
- Qualifications: Solid back-end development skills and experience with large language models and Azure AI services.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Who we are
Blackstone are a technical consultancy who specialise in digital transformation and complex technical deliveries. 15 years ago that meant Cloud adoption. 10 years ago it was DevOps. 5 years ago, SRE and platform engineering. We still cover all of that, but a lot of our work right now is AI adoption. And we mean actual AI adoption in production in Enterprises.
The pace and impact of each wave keeps accelerating, but we think successful adoption still comes down to two things: people and constraints. What does transformation actually look like inside the limits of an organisation, and how do we bring the people along for it? Interested in helping us answer those questions for our customers?
The role
This is a hands-on contract embedded in live customer delivery. You'll build and ship AI systems in complex, high-stakes environments, not run proof-of-concepts that quietly die before they reach production. From the architecture of RAG pipelines to the evaluation harnesses that prove they work, the work is yours to own. You'll work closely with delivery managers, solution architects and client stakeholders, turning real business problems into AI that does the job. You'll bring engineering discipline to a space that often lacks it, and help shape how we deliver AI at scale.
What we're looking for
- Solid back-end development. You write clean, production-grade code that other people can maintain, test and build on.
- Real experience building and running evaluation harnesses to measure LLM performance, output quality and regression.
- A deep, working understanding of large language models: how they behave, where they break, and how to engineer around it.
- Proven RAG experience, including chunking, embedding choices and retrieval tuning.
- Enterprise client exposure. You're comfortable in complex stakeholder environments with governance, compliance and security in the mix.
- Hands-on with Azure AI Foundry or equivalent Azure AI services, covering deployment, monitoring and integration.
- Strong context engineering, designing prompts and context windows that are robust and repeatable.
- A systematic approach to prompting. You test, iterate and document rather than guess.
Nice to have
- Production AI agents: tool use, memory, and orchestration with the likes of LangChain, Semantic Kernel or AutoGen.
- Familiarity with agentic design patterns, including multi-step reasoning, planning loops and safe agent behaviour in regulated settings.
- Fine-tuning or model adaptation for domain-specific use cases.
The details
£competitive Outside IR35 Hybrid, a mix of remote and on-site with the client as the engagement requires. Negotiable. 6 months to start, with extensions expected based on performance and how the project develops. Start date to be agreed, though we'd like to move quickly for the right person.
If you take engineering seriously, stay curious about AI without losing your scepticism, and like the idea of your work being visible in a small team, we'd like to hear from you. Remote working/work at home options are available for this role.
AI Engineer - Contract - Remote (UK Based) in Ramsbottom employer: Blackstone& London
At Blackstone&, we pride ourselves on being a forward-thinking technical consultancy that champions digital transformation, particularly in the realm of AI adoption. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and encourages continuous learning, providing employees with ample opportunities for professional growth while working on impactful projects in complex environments. With a competitive salary and flexible remote working options, we offer a unique chance to contribute to meaningful AI solutions that drive real business outcomes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land AI Engineer - Contract - Remote (UK Based) in Ramsbottom
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend meetups, and connect 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 demonstrate your back-end development prowess. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Practice explaining complex concepts clearly, as you'll need to communicate effectively with both techies and non-techies.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace AI Engineer - Contract - Remote (UK Based) in Ramsbottom
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your back-end development skills and experience with AI systems. We want to see how your past work aligns with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing relevant projects!
Showcase Your Experience:When writing your application, emphasise your hands-on experience with large language models and RAG pipelines. We’re looking for real-world examples that demonstrate your ability to tackle complex problems in high-stakes environments.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon unless it’s necessary. Make it easy for us to see why you’re a great fit for the role!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Blackstone& London
✨Know Your AI Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of large language models and RAG pipelines. Be ready to discuss how you've built and run evaluation harnesses in the past, as well as any challenges you've faced and how you overcame them.
✨Showcase Your Coding Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your back-end development skills. Bring examples of clean, production-grade code you've written, and be ready to explain your thought process behind it. They’ll want to see that you can write maintainable code that others can build on.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with the complexities of working in enterprise environments. Be prepared to discuss how you've navigated stakeholder relationships and compliance issues in previous roles, as this will be crucial for the position.
✨Be Ready to Problem-Solve
Expect scenario-based questions where you'll need to demonstrate your systematic approach to prompting and context engineering. Think about how you test, iterate, and document your work, and be ready to share specific examples from your experience.
