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- Tasks: Lead AI initiatives to revolutionise industrial automation and enhance engineering workflows.
- Company: Global leader in automated materials-handling and warehouse production technologies.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a tangible impact by applying AI to real-world engineering challenges.
- Qualifications: Experience in industrial automation and hands-on AI application in engineering.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation and technology adoption.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
The organisation is a global developer of automated materials‑handling and warehouse production technologies. Their solutions combine industrial software, PLC‑based control systems, robotics, automated machinery, and data‑driven engineering workflows. They are seeking a Senior AI R&D Lead to drive the practical adoption of AI across industrial software, controls, manufacturing, and product development. The focus of this role is applied capability and measurable business impact, not academic research.
Purpose of the Role
The Senior AI R&D Lead is responsible for identifying, validating and delivering AI-driven improvements across engineering, manufacturing and automation product workflows. This includes accelerating development cycles, improving quality and reliability, and enhancing system performance. The position requires close collaboration with engineering, operations and R&D teams to ensure AI initiatives address real operational needs and are deployed with appropriate industrial governance.
Key Responsibilities
- Identify, assess and prioritise AI use cases across WCS/WMS platforms, PLC engineering, manufacturing operations and product development.
- Apply AI techniques to requirements extraction, technical documentation, code validation, testing and optimisation.
- Use large foundation models such as Claude and GPT-based systems to enhance engineering productivity across software, controls and R&D environments.
- Implement AI-assisted development approaches including rapid prototyping, automated coding workflows and LLM-supported solution design.
- Improve manufacturing quality, efficiency and standardisation through data-driven analysis and AI-enabled methods.
- Oversee the lifecycle of AI initiatives from concept validation through to production deployment in industrial environments.
- Establish appropriate governance standards addressing safety, compliance, reliability and risk.
- Collaborate with engineering, operations, R&D and commercial teams to align AI outputs with delivery requirements and commercial priorities.
- Translate complex AI capabilities into clear technical recommendations and practical tools for engineering teams.
Candidate Profile
- Background in industrial automation, controls engineering, robotics or industrial software development.
- Hands‑on experience applying AI and large language models in real engineering or manufacturing applications.
- Practical familiarity with AI-assisted development techniques, rapid prototyping and modern LLM‑driven engineering practices.
- Strong understanding of PLC‑based systems, industrial control architectures and associated software ecosystems.
- Commercial awareness, including the ability to link AI outcomes to margin improvement, scalability, risk reduction and delivery performance.
- Experience working in senior technical or R&D leadership roles within complex engineering environments.
- Ability to influence across multidisciplinary teams and drive adoption of new technologies.
Senior AI Lead - Industrial Automation in Telford employer: Computer Futures / SThree Group
Contact Detail:
Computer Futures / SThree Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior AI Lead - Industrial Automation in Telford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio or a project that highlights your experience with AI in industrial automation. We want to see how you’ve applied your knowledge in real-world scenarios, so don’t hold back!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by understanding the company’s products and how AI fits into their operations. We recommend doing some research on their recent projects and thinking about how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior AI Lead - Industrial Automation in Telford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Senior AI R&D Lead. Highlight your experience in industrial automation and AI applications, and don’t forget to mention any hands-on projects that showcase your skills in engineering and manufacturing.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about AI in industrial settings. Share specific examples of how you've driven improvements in past roles and how you can bring that expertise to us at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Collaboration Skills: This role requires working closely with various teams, so make sure to highlight your experience in cross-functional collaboration. Mention any successful projects where you’ve worked with engineering, operations, or R&D teams to implement AI solutions.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Computer Futures / SThree Group
✨Know Your AI Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of AI techniques and their practical applications in industrial automation. Be ready to discuss specific examples where you've successfully implemented AI solutions in engineering or manufacturing settings.
✨Showcase Collaboration Skills
This role requires working closely with various teams, so be prepared to share experiences that highlight your ability to collaborate across disciplines. Think of instances where you’ve influenced others or driven the adoption of new technologies in a team setting.
✨Understand the Business Impact
Demonstrate your commercial awareness by linking AI outcomes to business metrics like margin improvement and efficiency. Prepare to discuss how your AI initiatives have led to measurable improvements in past roles.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to PLC systems, industrial control architectures, and AI-assisted development techniques. Brush up on these topics and be ready to explain complex concepts in a way that’s easy to understand for non-technical stakeholders.