At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us to revolutionise operations with AI and automation, making work smarter and more efficient.
- Company: Be part of Blue Light Card, serving over 6 million members with innovative solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, a personal growth fund, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working, modern office perks, and a culture that values diversity and innovation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of work while making a real impact on our community.
- Qualifications: Experience in automation and AI engineering, with skills in n8n, JavaScript, or Python.
The predicted salary is between 69750 - 85250 £ per year.
Blue Light Card serves more than 6 million members, and behind every discount and member experience sits operational work that can be done smarter.
Our automation work is where we're changing that, bringing AI and automation into the way teams across the business work every day.
As AI and Automation Engineer, you'll sit at the intersection of IT operations, engineering and data, working alongside colleagues across departments to map how work gets done, spot where automation can help, and build systems that run reliably at scale.
Much of that means n8n, LLM APIs and integrations, and increasingly it means designing and shipping AI agents and agentic workflows that are grounded in business knowledge, tested, monitored and safe to use.
You will have ownership of high-impact work and be trusted to shape it, with access to the latest AI models, tools and automation platforms, and the chance to show the business what's possible.
What You'll Do
- Map and document workflows across operational teams, identifying inefficiencies and prioritising the automation opportunities with the greatest impact
- Translate business requirements into clear automation design, then build, test and deploy automations, primarily in n8n, with custom scripts in Java Script, Type Script or Python where needed
- Build and ship AI agents and agentic workflows that handle multi-step tasks end to end, using n8n, LLM APIs and AI-native tools such as Claude Code and Cursor
- Integrate APIs, databases, webhooks, CRMs and internal systems to create connected, modular, scalable architectures with clean, consistent data flows
- Embed AI models from providers such as Anthropic and Open AI into workflows for data extraction, routing, classification and triage, applying prompt and context engineering throughout
- Ground agents in business knowledge using MCP, RAG, embeddings and vector or hybrid search, and design multi-agent systems with sensible routing, human-in-the-loop checkpoints and fallbacks
- Monitor automations and agents for reliability, output quality and cost, building alerting and dashboards, and create evals and guardrails so changes ship safely, responsibly and with confidence
- Work closely with colleagues across the business to capture requirements, explain how solutions work and report on the impact delivered, supported by clear documentation, while keeping an eye on new AI models and tools worth adopting
- What You'll Bring
- Proven experience in automation engineering, AI engineering, technical operations, solutions engineering or a similar role
- Strong hands-on experience with n8n, or with Make or Zapier alongside a willingness to move across to n8n
- Confidence working with REST APIs, OAuth and webhooks, and writing Java Script, Type Script or Python
- Hands-on experience running LLM APIs in production, including building AI agents or agentic workflows with prompt and context engineering
- An understanding of how to test and safeguard AI outputs, including evals, guardrails and prompt injection risks
- Strong problem-solving skills, alongside excellent documentation habits
- The ability to work with non-technical colleagues, translating technical concepts and capturing requirements, and ideally a record of measurable business impact from AI and automation you've delivered
- Experience with Claude Code skills and subagents, custom n8n nodes, MCP servers, RAG pipelines, vector databases, knowledge graphs, multi-agent orchestration or tools such as Grafana, Langfuse and Lang Smith would be a bonus, as would relevant certifications, though equivalent experience counts just as much
- Our Culture
Our mission is simple: make heroes happy.
Our members are real-life heroes who keep us all safe, cared for, and thriving.
It's what gets us up in the morning, what makes us want to think bigger, and create something that truly matters.
By focusing on their happiness, we create amazing experiences, deliver unrivalled discounts, innovative products, and world-class service.
We don't just follow the usual path - we look for smarter, bolder ways to deliver real impact.
We take ownership, move fast, and work shoulder to shoulder to build something special.
We promote hybrid working, and value in-person collaboration so encourage time in our offices - either the HQ in Leicestershire, or London, Holborn office.
The frequency and office location will vary depending on the role and team.
We aim to be flexible, but we aren't able to offer fully remote working.
Blue Light Card is an equal opportunities employer.
We're committed to building a diverse and inclusive team where different perspectives and experiences help us grow, innovate, and better reflect the communities we serve.
We make recruiting decisions based on your experience and skills.
In the event of a high number of applications, we'll prioritise candidates who meet both the essential and desirable criteria for the role.
What We Offer
- 25 days annual leave plus public holidays and an additional day off for your birthday
- A Moments that Matter day - one extra day of leave each year to use for something that matters to you
- Buy and sell holiday scheme of up to 5 days
- A volunteering/fundraising day - one paid day each year to give something back to the community
- Annual company bonus scheme - linked to both company and individual performance
- Your own Blue Light Card and exclusive access to thousands of discounts
- Personal growth fund of £450 per year to invest in your development
- Private Medical Insurance that includes cover for pre-existing conditions
- Auto-enrolment pension scheme via salary sacrifice, with 100% of employer NI savings reinvested into your pension
- Enhanced Maternity, Partner, Adoption and Shared Parental Leave
- Healthcare cash-back plan
- Colleague Assistance Programme - 24/7 confidential support whenever you need it
- Hybrid working and flexible hours
- EV charging and free parking onsite at HQ
- Relaxed dress code and modern office space (games area, chill-out areas, book club, free drinks and well stocked snack drawers!)
- On-site gym including free HIIT and stretch classes at HQ
AI and Automation Engineer employer: Blue Light Card Ltd
Blue Light Card Ltd is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and dynamic work culture, perfect for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the retail sector. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have access to ongoing training and development opportunities, ensuring your career flourishes while working alongside a passionate team dedicated to supporting frontline workers. Located in a vibrant area, the company offers unique advantages such as flexible working arrangements and a commitment to work-life balance, making it an attractive place for ambitious professionals.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land AI and Automation Engineer
✨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 Blue Light Card Ltd 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 Blue Light Card Ltd.
✨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 Blue Light Card Ltd.
✨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 Blue Light Card Ltd 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 AI and Automation Engineer
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 Blue Light Card Ltd.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Blue Light Card Ltd 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 Blue Light Card Ltd
✨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 Blue Light Card Ltd 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.