At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI strategy and research, prototype development, and team management in a high-growth startup.
- Company: Innovative startup redefining generative AI in cybersecurity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, remote work options, and significant ownership potential.
- Why this job: Drive AI innovation with real-world impact in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in AI/ML, strong leadership, and expertise in LLMs and agent systems.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team shaping the future of AI in security.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
We are seeking a strategic and technically strong Director of AI to lead our research and implementation efforts at the intersection of generative AI and cybersecurity. Reporting directly to the CTO, you will define and execute the end-to-end AI strategy — from identifying cutting-edge research opportunities to prototyping advanced capabilities and integrating them into production systems. This is a unique opportunity to lead AI innovation within a well-funded, high-growth startup.
You will have full ownership of AI research direction, evaluation frameworks, and prototype development, while also building and managing a growing AI team. Your impact will be measured by the innovation you drive and the value your AI solutions add to the product. This role is ideal for a senior AI professional with deep expertise in LLMs and agent systems, strong product thinking, and the ambition to architect foundational AI systems in a mission-critical domain.
Key Responsibilities- Lead AI Strategy & Research: Own and execute the technical roadmap for AI, staying ahead of research trends to introduce transformative techniques in cybersecurity.
- Prototype Development: Design and implement end-to-end AI prototypes, working as a technical product manager to drive innovation from concept to production.
- Evaluation Frameworks: Build rigorous systems to evaluate model performance, agent behavior, fine-tuning quality, and real-world product impact.
- Technical Guidance: Partner with engineering teams to review architectures, influence implementation, and ensure scalability and performance of AI solutions.
- Team Leadership: Recruit, manage, and mentor a high-performing AI team; establish strong technical standards and operational processes.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with engineering leadership to ensure research leads to impactful product features and customer value.
- Stay at the Research Frontier: Continuously track developments in LLMs, agent frameworks, and broader AI trends relevant to enterprise and security use cases.
- AI/ML Experience: 7+ years in AI/ML, with 3+ years focused on LLMs, generative models, or agent-based systems.
- Hands-On Technical Expertise: Deep familiarity with modern transformer architectures, fine-tuning methods, and agent frameworks.
- Proven Leadership: Experience leading AI research or development at a top-tier organization or research lab, with a track record of delivering innovations that reach production.
- Research-to-Product Execution: Ability to bridge advanced research with practical product implementations — from academic papers to scalable prototypes.
- Product-Minded Thinking: Strategic mindset for applying AI to real-world problems; strong understanding of measuring and optimizing system performance.
- Strong Engineering Background: Solid understanding of software engineering principles and scalable AI system architecture.
- Team Building: Experience managing and mentoring AI researchers and engineers, with a focus on building collaborative, high-impact teams.
- NLP & Agents Focus: Extensive background in natural language processing and agent systems, with hands-on work using tools such as LangChain, LlamaIndex, or similar.
- Experience applying AI to cybersecurity or enterprise software challenges.
- Background in high-growth AI startups.
- Advanced academic qualifications (e.g., PhD) with publications in top AI venues.
- Experience in AI safety, evaluation design, or responsible AI practices.
- Expertise in custom AI benchmarking and evaluation frameworks.
- Lead AI Innovation: Own and drive technical strategy at a company redefining how generative AI can secure digital environments.
- Research-to-Impact Pipeline: See your research directly influence product features with measurable real-world impact.
- Expert Team Collaboration: Work alongside experienced leaders in AI and cybersecurity, enabling both technical depth and rapid execution.
- Shape the Future of AI in Security: Define best practices and set the foundation for how generative AI transforms an entire industry.
- High-Growth Opportunity: Take on a senior leadership role at a fast-moving startup with strong funding and significant ownership potential.
London, United Kingdom – Remote options may be available.
Director of AI | LLM | Large Language Models | Python | Machine Learning | RAG | Remote, UK in London employer: Enigma
Contact Detail:
Enigma Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of AI | LLM | Large Language Models | Python | Machine Learning | RAG | Remote, UK in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the AI and cybersecurity space on LinkedIn or at industry events. A personal connection can often get your foot in the door faster than a CV.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving LLMs and generative models. This will help you stand out and demonstrate your hands-on experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on the latest trends in AI and cybersecurity. Be ready to discuss how you can apply your knowledge to real-world problems, especially in a startup environment.
✨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 seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of AI | LLM | Large Language Models | Python | Machine Learning | RAG | Remote, UK in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Director of AI. Highlight your experience with LLMs, generative models, and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for AI and cybersecurity, and explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. We love seeing candidates who can connect their experiences to our goals.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t hold back on your technical expertise! Detail your hands-on experience with transformer architectures and agent frameworks. We’re looking for someone who can bridge research and product implementation seamlessly.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team. Let’s get started on this journey together!
How to prepare for a job interview at Enigma
✨Know Your AI Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in LLMs and generative AI. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, especially those that relate to cybersecurity. This shows you're not just knowledgeable but also passionate about the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Highlight your experience in mentoring and building high-performing teams, as this role requires strong leadership. Think about challenges you've faced and how you overcame them.
✨Bridge Research and Product
Be ready to explain how you've taken research concepts and turned them into practical applications. Discuss any prototypes you've developed and how they impacted product features. This will demonstrate your ability to connect theory with real-world solutions.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's AI strategy and future directions. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company aligns with your vision for AI innovation. It’s a two-way street!