At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI projects from concept to scalable solutions, ensuring technical quality and delivery.
- Company: Join a mission-driven organisation focused on saving lives through innovative technology.
- Benefits: Generous benefits package, career development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Work in a collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI while making a real impact in a dynamic role.
- Qualifications: Experience in COTS/SaaS solutions, strong coding skills, and a passion for AI.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.
As a Technical Lead, you'll play a critical role in turning ambitious AI opportunities into high-quality, scalable technology solutions. You'll work across the full lifecycle - from early-stage ideas and proof of concepts through to production-ready systems that are embedded into the organisation. You'll be accountable for technical quality and delivery, working in a highly matrixed environment alongside internal product teams and trusted external partners. Technology-agnostic and adaptable, you'll help shape problem statements, align solution designs to our AI vision, and guide teams through complex technical decisions. This is a hands‑on leadership role that offers variety, influence, and the opportunity to help define how engineering practices evolve in the age of AI - all while supporting a mission that saves lives.
Responsibilities
- Act as Technical Lead for key AI initiatives at different stages - from emerging ideas and proofs of concept through to solutions ready to scale and operationalise.
- Assess technical complexity, feasibility, and effort, helping teams make informed delivery decisions.
- Identify where foundational changes to platforms or infrastructure are needed to unlock AI capabilities.
- Work with Product Managers and colleagues to assess when and how to partner with external suppliers.
- Collaborate closely with Product and Project Managers, Architects, UX and Service Designers, and Business Analysts to understand user needs and iteratively design effective solutions.
- Provide technical assurance and constructive challenge for external technology partners.
- Validate high‑level designs and support smooth transitions from design into delivery.
- Produce low‑level designs, technical work plans, and documentation in line with delivery standards.
- Proactively surface technical risks, issues, and dependencies to initiative leads.
- Contribute significantly to testing strategies and plans to ensure solutions are robust, secure, and reliable.
Qualifications
- Experience delivering Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions, from procurement through to live operation.
- Recent, hands‑on experience writing clean, maintainable, and well‑tested code using proven design patterns.
- The curiosity and adaptability to learn new languages, frameworks, and tools.
- Deep technical expertise and the confidence to tackle complex problems independently.
- A strong interest in AI and innovation, with the ability to role‑model how modern engineering practices can evolve to deliver greater impact.
- Experience working across a range of domains, with the ability to context‑switch as priorities change.
- Proven experience running critical services in production and designing scalable, secure, and highly available systems.
- Experience acting as a technical lead: defining solutions from scratch, shaping technical direction, and reviewing the work of other engineers.
- Knowledge of modern software delivery approaches (e.g. Scrum, Kanban), with some understanding of spec‑driven development.
- Excellent communication skills, enabling you to explain complex ideas clearly and influence both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
- Comfort working in complex environments with multiple priorities, and the resilience to adapt to continual change.
- Highly desirable to have experience implementing bespoke data, machine learning or AI solutions from pilot through to operationalisation.
- Ideally hold a professional certification (e.g. cloud architect) in at least one major cloud data platform (e.g. GCP, Azure, AWS, Snowflake, Databricks) and will, ideally, be an active participant in that cloud's community.
Benefits
We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high‑quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work‑life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.
AI Technical Lead - 2 Year Fixed Term Contract in Stratford-upon-Avon employer: Cancer Research UK
As an AI Technical Lead, you'll join a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to innovation and excellence in technology solutions that save lives. We pride ourselves on a collaborative work culture that fosters personal and professional growth, offering a generous benefits package and a commitment to your wellbeing. With opportunities to influence engineering practices and work alongside talented teams in a dynamic environment, this role is perfect for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the field of AI.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land AI Technical Lead - 2 Year Fixed Term Contract in Stratford-upon-Avon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repo showcasing your projects, especially those related to AI. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and scenarios. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love hearing from passionate candidates like you!
We think you need these skills to ace AI Technical Lead - 2 Year Fixed Term Contract in Stratford-upon-Avon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the AI Technical Lead role. Highlight your experience with AI initiatives and technical leadership, showing us how you can turn ambitious ideas into scalable solutions.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:We want to see your hands-on experience! Include examples of clean, maintainable code you've written and any projects where you've tackled complex problems. This is your chance to shine, so don’t hold back!
Communicate Clearly:Your ability to explain complex ideas is crucial. Use straightforward language in your application to demonstrate how you can influence both technical and non-technical stakeholders. We love clarity!
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 this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cancer Research UK
✨Know Your AI Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and technologies in AI. Be ready to discuss how you've applied your technical expertise in previous roles, especially in delivering COTS and SaaS solutions. This will show that you're not just familiar with the concepts but can also implement them effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Technical Lead, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to guide teams through complex decisions. Prepare examples of how you've led projects, shaped technical direction, and collaborated with cross-functional teams. Highlight your experience in validating designs and ensuring smooth transitions from design to delivery.
✨Be Ready for Technical Challenges
Expect to face some technical questions during the interview. Brush up on your coding skills and be prepared to tackle problems on the spot. You might be asked to produce low-level designs or discuss how you'd approach specific technical challenges, so practice articulating your thought process clearly.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Excellent communication is key, especially when explaining complex ideas to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Practice explaining your past projects and technical decisions in a way that's easy to understand. This will help you build rapport with the interviewers and demonstrate your ability to influence others.
