At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us to design and build next-gen AI systems that transform work.
- Company: Columbus, a global digital consultancy with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, medical insurance, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI innovation and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Strong expertise in AI application design and scalable systems.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Location: Home-based with travel to client site or Columbus offices as required
Salary: Negotiable (We aim to improve your current package)
Bonus: Yes
Holiday: 25 Days, Plus Bank Holidays (Increasing with Service)
Medical Insurance: Yes (terms apply) plus additional Health Cashback Plan
Hours: Full time (36.5 hpw)
Travel/Expenses: A car is required for travel to client sites - expensed at 55p per mile from home address (excluding travel to any Columbus Office within 35mi)
People always come first at Columbus. We’re a global digital consultancy with a local presence, helping businesses transform and thrive through technology, data, and human insight. Our culture is built on trust, collaboration, curiosity, and a shared commitment to delivering customer success. Diversity and Inclusion are close to our hearts.
By joining our team, you will be part of a supportive network that values your voice, respects your ideas, and promotes a healthy work-life balance. Our average length of service in the UK is 8 years, as we are committed to cultivating an inclusive workplace culture that celebrates and supports career growth and advancement.
The role of Senior AI Engineer involves designing and building the next generation of AI-powered systems that will transform how thousands of people work, across the Nordics and beyond. This is production engineering at enterprise scale, on the Microsoft platform, using the most advanced AI models available today.
We have an environment that gives you the flexibility to achieve an effective work-life balance, whether you want to work from home or at one of our luxury Cubo offices around the UK. Onsite time is planned ahead of time, within 2-week blocks.
About you (The Essentials)
- Strong expertise in LLM application design, including prompt engineering, agent frameworks, and evaluation
- Good understanding of data as a foundation for AI-driven insights
- Experience building scalable, production-grade AI systems, with focus on context management, cost optimisation, and real-world deployment
- Proven ability to design multi-agent architectures where AI systems collaborate effectively
- Hands-on experience with Microsoft 365 ecosystem (Graph, Teams, SharePoint) and cloud-native platforms like Azure
- Solid background in data and retrieval systems, including vector search, embeddings, document databases, and RAG architectures
- Skilled in building robust, event-driven and API-based systems with strong focus on reliability, security, and enterprise compliance
- Full driver's licence and access to a vehicle
- Curious, looking to challenge the status quo and improve
- Collaborates well with both internal and external colleagues
- Committed to personal development and becoming a Trusted Advisor in your field.
If you don't match all these qualifications above but are an expert in either of the three, don't hesitate to apply:
- AI Application: You bring deep experience in LLM application architecture, including prompt engineering, agent frameworks, tool integration, and model evaluation.
- AI Automation & Integration: You have hands-on experience with Microsoft Graph, Teams, SharePoint, and the broader Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
- AI Infrastructure: You bring extensive experience with document databases, vector search technologies, and embedding models.
What we can offer
- 25 Days Annual Leave (Increasing with Service)
- Columbus Benefits Hub – Discounts on Tickets, Shopping, Car leasing, Holidays, Food and More
- Enhanced Maternity Pay
- Access to Free Training Courses Delivered by Columbus Academy
- Free Microsoft Certifications and access to Microsoft Learn
- Modern air-conditioned office spaces fully managed by Cubo (multiple UK locations)
- Free Barista Coffee and hot drinks made in-house
- Free Beer and Fizz every day (2 - 5pm)
- Casual Dress Code in our Offices
- Personal Pension Plan
- Life Assurance x4 Salary
- Cycle-to-Work Scheme
- £2,500 payment for successful candidate referrals (if eligible)
- Flexi-phone upgrade scheme (if eligible)
- Employee Wellbeing Program (terms apply)
- Free 24/7 Access to Cubo Gym(s)
- Vitality Medical Insurance
- Westfield Health Cash plan (includes an Employee Assistance Line)
- Mental health first aiders
- Virtual suggestion boxes
Next Steps
If this sounds like the role for you, then please drop a copy of your CV over today via our website and “Apply for this job” or apply using your LinkedIn profile in seconds.
In the meantime, check us out on Instagram or LinkedIn.
Gold Partner and Inner Circle: As a Microsoft Gold Partner for over 20 years, Columbus has access to a range of market-leading resources, training and certifications.
Senior AI Engineer - Centre of Excellence in London employer: Columbus United Kingdom
Columbus is an exceptional employer for D365 BC Contractors, offering a professional and welcoming environment that prioritises effective communication and support. With over 30 years of experience as a Microsoft gold partner, we provide contractors with unique opportunities to engage in complex B2B delivery projects while fostering a culture of collaboration and growth. Our commitment to excellence ensures that every contractor feels valued and empowered to contribute their expertise to our clients' success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior AI Engineer - Centre of Excellence in London
✨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 Columbus United Kingdom 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 Columbus United Kingdom.
✨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 Columbus United Kingdom.
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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 Columbus United Kingdom 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 Senior AI Engineer - Centre of Excellence in London
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 Columbus United Kingdom.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Columbus United Kingdom 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 Columbus United Kingdom
✨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 Columbus United Kingdom 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.
