At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the future of AI by building and deploying autonomous systems.
- Company: Established UK manufacturer with over 50 years of experience.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, direct access to leadership, and ownership of projects.
- Other info: Opportunity to build innovative solutions in a stable, profitable environment.
- Why this job: Be the first dedicated AI hire and make a real impact from day one.
- Qualifications: Strong data engineering background and hands-on AI/ML experience required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
A well-established, market-leading UK manufacturer with over 50 years of trading history, supplying businesses across the UK and Europe. The business is now beginning its AI journey in earnest and this is the first dedicated AI hire, a genuine opportunity to shape how AI is adopted from day one.
This is a greenfield position. You'll be joining alongside an initial contract consultant brought in for discovery and scoping and will transition into the primary technical owner responsible for building and deploying AI solutions across the business. The focus is on agentic AI, building autonomous systems that can reason and act, not just surface data. Before meaningful AI can be built, the business needs its data structured and cleaned. This role sits at that intersection part data engineer; part AI builder and we're looking for someone comfortable with both.
What You'll Be Doing
- Auditing existing data, identifying gaps and blockers to AI readiness
- Cleaning, transforming and structuring data across operational systems
- Designing and building agentic AI systems tailored to real business use cases
- Integrating LLM-based solutions into existing workflows and processes
- Working directly with senior leadership to prioritise use cases and define the technical roadmap
- Acting as the internal AI subject matter expert as the function grows
What We're Looking For
- A strong data engineering background comfortable working with messy, real-world data
- Hands-on experience building AI/ML systems in production environments
- Practical knowledge of agentic AI frameworks such as LangChain, LangGraph, AutoGen or similar
- Proficiency in Python and relevant libraries
- Experience integrating LLMs via API (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.)
- Someone who can work in ambiguity and define the path rather than follow one
- Strong communication skills, you'll be translating technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders regularly
Desirable but not essential: experience in a manufacturing or industrial setting, knowledge of RAG architectures, familiarity with cloud platforms, prior experience as a first or early AI hire.
What's on Offer
- £60,000 - £80,000 depending on experience
- A first-of-its-kind role with real ownership and influence
- Direct access to senior leadership
- A stable, profitable business with genuine appetite to invest in this area
- The opportunity to build something from scratch in a business with real operational complexity
AI Engineer - Agentic AI employer: Cast UK/ Dcoded
Join a pioneering team at a well-established UK manufacturer in Greater Manchester, where you will have the unique opportunity to shape the future of AI within the organisation. With a commitment to employee growth and a culture that values innovation, you'll enjoy direct access to senior leadership and the chance to build impactful AI solutions from the ground up. This role not only offers competitive salary packages but also a supportive environment that encourages creativity and collaboration, making it an excellent place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land AI Engineer - Agentic AI
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the AI field, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your AI projects. This is your chance to demonstrate your hands-on experience with agentic AI frameworks and data engineering.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your communication skills. You'll need to explain complex AI concepts to non-technical folks, so practice breaking things down into simple terms.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us. Plus, it gives you a better chance to stand out from the crowd.
We think you need these skills to ace AI Engineer - Agentic AI
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the AI Engineer role. Highlight your data engineering background and any hands-on experience with AI/ML systems to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about agentic AI and how you can contribute to our journey. Share specific examples of your work with messy data and AI frameworks to show us what you've got!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since you'll be translating technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, it's crucial to demonstrate your communication prowess. Use clear and concise language in your application to reflect this skill.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cast UK/ Dcoded
✨Know Your AI Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of agentic AI frameworks like LangChain and AutoGen. Be ready to discuss how you've used these in past projects or how you would approach building AI systems tailored to real business use cases.
✨Data is Key
Since this role involves cleaning and structuring messy data, come prepared with examples of how you've tackled similar challenges before. Think about specific tools or methods you've used to audit and transform data, as this will show your hands-on experience.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
You'll need to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, so practice simplifying your ideas. Prepare a few examples where you've successfully communicated technical information in an easy-to-understand way.
✨Show Your Initiative
This is a greenfield position, so demonstrate your ability to work in ambiguity. Share instances where you've defined a path forward in uncertain situations, and be ready to discuss how you would approach the initial phases of building AI solutions for the business.