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 Salisbury 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 hybrid work environment. With a strong commitment to building a core AI capability, you will have the chance to shape the future of AI applications while enjoying a supportive culture that values collaboration and mentorship. Benefit from competitive remuneration, bonuses, and the chance to work on impactful projects that matter in real-world scenarios.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land AI Models Lead in Salisbury
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the AI and machine learning space, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your fine-tuning projects or any AI models you've worked on. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company's AI initiatives. Understand their products and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets them.
✨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 take that extra step!
We think you need these skills to ace AI Models Lead in Salisbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match 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 explain why you're passionate about AI and how your background aligns with our mission at StudySmarter. Be sure to mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used that relate to the job description.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Since this role requires strong Python engineering capabilities and familiarity with ML tooling, make sure to include any relevant technical skills in your application. We love seeing hands-on experience with tools like HuggingFace and AWS, so don’t hold back!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people. Plus, we’re excited to see what you can bring to the table!
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
As this role involves mentoring ML Engineers, prepare examples of how you've led teams or projects 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 dives into your technical expertise, especially around Python engineering and ML tooling like HuggingFace and W&B. Brush up on your knowledge of cloud environments, particularly AWS, and be ready to discuss how you’ve used these tools in real-world applications.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Since you'll be engaging with senior stakeholders, practice articulating complex concepts in a clear and concise manner. Prepare to explain your thought process behind model evaluation frameworks and how they ensure production-grade quality.
