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 that matter.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in fine-tuning AI models and strong Python skills required.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 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 Plymouth employer: Experis
Join a forward-thinking software organisation that prioritises innovation and employee development, offering a unique opportunity to lead the creation of cutting-edge AI capabilities. With a hybrid work model based in the Midlands, you will enjoy a collaborative culture that values your expertise while providing significant growth opportunities and direct engagement with senior leadership. The company is committed to investing in its employees and fostering an environment where your contributions can make a real impact on the future of AI technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land AI Models Lead in Plymouth
✨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 showcasing your AI projects, especially those involving fine-tuning models. This will give you an edge and demonstrate your hands-on experience to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms, as you'll need to engage with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals like you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves.
We think you need these skills to ace AI Models Lead in Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with 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 you can bring your unique expertise to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about AI and how your background makes you the perfect fit for this role. Be sure to mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used that relate to the job description.
Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on any notable AI projects, don't hesitate to include them in your application. Whether it's a personal project or something from your previous job, we love seeing real-world applications of your skills. It helps us understand your hands-on experience!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It streamlines the process and ensures your application lands in the right hands. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
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 combine technical expertise with leadership, and be ready to discuss how you can foster a collaborative environment.
✨Demonstrate Your Pragmatic Mindset
The company values a pragmatic approach, so think of examples where you've successfully navigated ambiguity or evolving situations. Share how you’ve adapted your strategies in response to real-world challenges in AI model deployment.
✨Engage with Real-World Use Cases
Be prepared to discuss how you would translate real-world requirements into model behaviour. Think about specific use cases you’ve worked on and how you ensured the models met production-grade quality and reliability.
