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 investing heavily in AI innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £120,000, bonuses, and flexible hybrid 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: Experience in fine-tuning AI models and strong Python engineering skills required.
Please make an application promptly if you are a good match for this role due to high levels of interest.
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.
If you're interested in learning more, please reach out to Jacob Ferdinand.
AI Models Lead in Swindon 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 substantial 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 significant impact on real-world AI applications.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land AI Models Lead in Swindon
✨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
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and showcasing your experience with AI models. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with the process.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply and wait! Follow up on your applications after a week or so. A quick email expressing your continued interest can help keep you on their radar and show that you're genuinely keen on the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Check out our website for the latest job openings and apply directly through us. It’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people and shows you’re serious about joining the team!
We think you need these skills to ace AI Models Lead in Swindon
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 your background makes you a perfect fit for this role. We love seeing enthusiasm and a clear understanding of our mission.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to mention your hands-on experience with Python and ML tooling like HuggingFace or AWS. We’re keen on candidates who can demonstrate their technical prowess, so be specific about your achievements in these areas.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about 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 latest AI models and fine-tuning strategies. Brush up on SFT, LoRA/QLoRA, and optimisation approaches, as these will likely come up during your interview. Being able to discuss specific models like Mistral or Qwen will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but also the practical applications.
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Experience
Prepare to share concrete examples of your past work with deploying AI models at scale. Discuss any challenges you faced and how you overcame them, especially in production environments. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and your ability to handle real-world failure modes.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Since this role involves engaging with senior stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Be ready to explain complex concepts in a way that’s easy to understand. Good communication can set you apart, so don’t underestimate its importance!
✨Emphasise Your Leadership Skills
As a player-coach, you’ll need to balance technical expertise with leadership. Prepare to discuss your experience mentoring others and how you’ve fostered collaboration within teams. Highlighting your ability to lead while remaining hands-on will resonate well with the interviewers.
