At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development and fine-tuning of cutting-edge AI models for real-world applications.
- Company: Join a rapidly growing software organisation focused on AI innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £120,000, bonuses, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and direct exposure to senior leadership.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI while working on impactful projects in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in fine-tuning AI models and strong Python skills required.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 120000 £ per year.
Hybrid: Midlands-based 2-3 days in the office or remote contracts for candidates outside of 35 miles
Paying up to £120,000 + bonus + benefits
Permanent
Experis are delighted to be partnering with a highly successful and growing software organisation as they invest heavily in building a cutting-edge AI capability at the heart of their product suite. We are supporting them in the search for an AI Models Lead, a key foundational hire who will own the development, fine-tuning, and production delivery of domain-specific AI models within a large-scale programme. This is a rare opportunity to join at an early stage and build a fine-tuning capability from first principles, shaping how AI models are developed, evaluated, and deployed in real-world, regulated environments.
What You'll Be Doing
- Designing and leading the end-to-end model fine-tuning strategy, including SFT, LoRA / QLoRA, and optimisation approaches
- Selecting and evaluating base models (e.g. Mistral, Qwen, Phi, Falcon) based on performance, cost, and use case
- Defining evaluation frameworks and standards to ensure models meet production-grade quality and reliability
- Building and scaling a suite of fine-tuned models to support multiple product use cases
- Owning experiment design and reproducibility, including tracking, benchmarking, and iteration cycles
- Working closely with data, domain and product teams to translate real-world requirements into model behaviour
- Leading, mentoring, and growing a team of ML Engineers while remaining hands-on technically
- Driving models through to production environments, ensuring robustness, scalability, and performance
Experience Required
- Proven experience fine-tuning machine learning / LLM models in production environments
- Strong track record of deploying AI models at scale and understanding real-world failure modes
- Hands-on experience with Generative AI / LLM architectures and frameworks
- Strong Python engineering capability and familiarity with ML tooling (e.g. HuggingFace, PEFT, TRL, W&B)
- Experience working in cloud environments (AWS preferred)
- Ability to operate as a player-coach, combining deep technical expertise with leadership
- Pragmatic mindset, comfortable working in ambiguous, evolving environments
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders and influence direction
Why Join
- Opportunity to build and shape a core AI capability from the ground up
- Work on real-world AI use cases where accuracy and trust genuinely matter
- Highly visible role with direct exposure to senior leadership and strategic initiatives
- Join a business making significant long-term investment in AI-driven innovation
AI Models Lead in Exeter employer: Experis
Join a forward-thinking software organisation that prioritises innovation and employee growth, offering a unique opportunity to lead the development of cutting-edge AI models in a collaborative and dynamic environment. With a strong commitment to building a core AI capability, employees benefit from a culture that values creativity, mentorship, and direct engagement with senior leadership, all while enjoying competitive compensation and flexible working arrangements in the Midlands. This is not just a job; it's a chance to shape the future of AI in real-world applications.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land AI Models Lead in Exeter
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your AI projects and fine-tuning work. This gives you a chance to demonstrate your expertise and passion for the field beyond just a CV.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common questions related to AI models and machine learning. Practice explaining your past projects and how you've tackled challenges in production environments—this will help you stand out!
✨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 AI Models Lead in Exeter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the AI Models Lead role. Highlight your experience with fine-tuning machine learning models and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about AI and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention specific experiences that relate to the job description.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to highlight your technical expertise, especially in Python and ML tooling. We’re keen to see your hands-on experience with Generative AI and cloud environments, so make sure these stand out in your application.
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. Plus, we love seeing applications come through our own channels!
How to prepare for a job interview at Experis
✨Know Your AI Models Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specific AI models mentioned in the job description, like Mistral and Qwen. Be ready to discuss your experience with fine-tuning and deploying these models, as well as any challenges you've faced in production environments.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves mentoring a team of ML Engineers, prepare examples of how you've led teams in the past. Highlight your ability to balance hands-on technical work with leadership responsibilities, demonstrating your player-coach mentality.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect deep technical questions about model fine-tuning strategies, evaluation frameworks, and cloud environments. Brush up on your Python skills and be ready to discuss tools like HuggingFace and W&B, as they’ll likely come up during the interview.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
You’ll need to engage with senior stakeholders, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Use examples from your past experiences to illustrate your points, and don’t shy away from discussing how you can influence direction within the company.
