Technology Specialist - AI

Digital Catapult is looking for a Technology Specialist in AI to join our team of experts applying cutting-edge AI technologies to real-world industry challenges. This is a client-facing technical role focused on helping organisations understand, adopt and implement next-generation AI capabilities. You will work across a range of innovation and business growth projects, helping to assess existing solutions, identify opportunities for AI application and contribute to the design of scalable technical solutions.

The role requires strong hands-on understanding of modern AI technologies including Large Language Models (LLMs), agentic AI systems, multimodal AI, orchestration frameworks, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and emerging AI architectures. You will help client organisations navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape, translating business challenges into practical technical solutions. You will work closely with clients, partners and innovation teams to contribute technical expertise, develop prototypes and demonstrators, and provide technical support across AI adoption initiatives.

We are looking for an applied technologist who combines strong engineering capability with curiosity, problem-solving skills and excellent stakeholder engagement skills.

WHAT YOU’LL DO (Duties)

• Support technical discovery and solution assessment activities with clients across AI and digital transformation projects.
• Evaluate existing systems, architectures and data environments to identify opportunities for AI integration, optimisation and innovation.
• Contribute to the design of scalable AI solution architectures leveraging technologies such as LLMs, agentic AI, RAG pipelines, orchestration frameworks, knowledge systems and multimodal AI.
• Participate in technical conversations with clients and partners, helping translate complex AI concepts into practical business outcomes.
• Support business growth activities by contributing technical expertise to proposals, innovation bids, client workshops and strategic engagements.
• Develop demonstrators, prototypes and proof-of-concepts showcasing emerging AI capabilities and solution approaches.
• Collaborate with software engineers, data specialists and solution architects to ensure solutions are technically robust, scalable, secure and aligned with operational requirements.
• Stay up to date with emerging AI technologies, tools and frameworks, evaluating their relevance and applicability to industry challenges.
• Produce technical collateral, architecture documentation and implementation recommendations for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Contribute technical expertise within multidisciplinary project teams.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR (Experience)

• Experience designing and implementing AI-enabled solutions within enterprise or innovation environments.
• Strong hands-on experience with modern AI technologies including: Large Language Models (LLMs), Agentic AI systems, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), AI orchestration frameworks, prompt engineering and evaluation techniques, emerging generative AI architectures and tooling.
• Ability to contribute effectively to technical engagements with clients and senior stakeholders.
• Experience assessing existing technical solutions and contributing to solution architectures and AI adoption approaches.
• Good software engineering skills, with hands-on experience in Python and modern AI development frameworks.
• Experience integrating AI capabilities into enterprise systems, APIs, workflows and cloud-native architectures.
• Understanding of AI governance, security, scalability, safety and responsible AI considerations.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to a wide range of audiences.
• Experience developing prototypes, technical demonstrations and innovation showcase.
• Comfortable working in ambiguous, fast-moving innovation environments.
• Experience contributing to business development, technical bids or innovation programmes would be highly desirable.
• Experience working across sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure, digital twins, smart systems or industrial transformation would be beneficial but not essential.

Salary: c. 50,000-60,000 pa (subject to experience and skills) + discretionary bonus + competitive benefits package.

Deadline for applications: Thursday September 3, 3 pm BST (we do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications, so you are encouraged to submit your application at the earliest opportunity).

Due to the nature of our work across government and public sector contracts, including working with sensitive information, all applicants will need to successfully complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance process prior to starting employment.

We recognise and value the advantages and opportunities that come with having people from diverse backgrounds working with us and it is our ambition to build an organisation which is representative and reflective of UK society. We welcome applications from neurodivergent candidates, candidates from minority and underrepresented groups and from candidates with more or less experience, provided the requisite skills can be demonstrated. As members of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.

Benefits

• Excellent holiday package: 25 days annual leave, Bank Holidays and 3 days between Christmas and New Year.
• Double-matched pension up to 10% of your salary.
• Discretionary company bonus.
• 4% of your salary to use towards selecting benefits that work for you, including health cash plan, Private Medical Insurance; buying holiday, topping up your pension; E-Vehicle Scheme; Cycle2Work; Tech Scheme; Gym Discounts; Give As you Earn; PerkPal; Life insurance 4x salary; Free to access EAP & Financial Wellbeing advice; Enhanced maternity and paternity leave.
• Hybrid working - with great offices to work from 2 days per week with some roles needing to be onsite more regularly to ensure the successful delivery of our work.
• Investment in your ongoing learning and development with us.
• Company social events throughout the year and free office snacks!

We have a vibrant and engaging culture where all voices are heard and a variety of employee led affinity groups who champion initiatives and provide opportunities for feedback to be shared.