At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI strategy to revolutionise manufacturing processes and drive measurable business value.
- Company: Join iCOMAT, a pioneering company in lightweight manufacturing technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, private healthcare, stock options, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team focused on redefining aerospace and automotive industries.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in advanced manufacturing and work with cutting-edge AI technologies.
- Qualifications: Experience in applied machine learning and a passion for innovation in manufacturing.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
Join ICOMAT – Revolutionising the Future of Lightweight Manufacturing! iCOMAT is an advanced manufacturing company that invented Rapid Tow Shearing (RTS) - the only proven technology for producing defect-free curved-fiber composite parts at industrial scale. We deliver the lightest structures possible for aerospace, automotive, defense, and space, at a rate and cost efficiency that far exceeds existing composite production processes.
We build and operate automated factories for composite materials, delivering components to Tier 1 suppliers and OEMs. The business has three main divisions: development of automated production machines, development of software design and production tools, and operation of the factory. We work with 25+ customers and completed the largest ever Series A in composites manufacturing to fuel a significant scale-up, with growth plans that will see the business multiply in size over the next two to three years and expand operations into the UK, Europe and the US.
The business has currently more than 130,000 sqm of production capacity with manufacturing facilities in the UK (Gloucester and Swindon) and the US (Dayton, Ohio); a Hardware R&D Centre in Bristol, UK; and a Software R&D Centre in Athens, Greece.
We are hiring a Director of Applied AI to turn that data advantage into compounding business value, fast. Series B is the moment to prove that AI is not a story we tell. It is a measurable engine inside the company.
What will you be doing?
- Quality control. Move from reactive inspection to predictive quality, with AI assisted in process monitoring and automated root cause analysis.
- Design. Reduce design iteration time, automate repetitive engineering decisions, and unlock generative design where it pays.
- Tooling. Accelerate tool design, optimize tool life, and bring intelligence to tool path generation.
- Manufacturing. Improve throughput, reduce scrap, predict defects before they happen, close the loop between machine data and process control.
What success looks like?
- You do not produce papers. You ship working systems and you measure them in the language the business already speaks.
- Time saved per design cycle.
- Cost per part reduced.
- Defect rate, scrap rate, and rework hours reduced.
- Throughput per machine, per shift, per facility increased.
- Engineering hours redirected from repetitive tasks to high leverage work.
- MVPs shipped, retired, or scaled, with a clear scoreboard.
If we cannot quantify it, we do not call it success. AI for the sake of AI is not why we are hiring.
What will you own?
- The AI strategy and roadmap, owned end to end and reviewed with the CEO.
- A small, sharp portfolio of MVPs running in parallel across design, manufacturing, tooling, and QC.
- The data architecture decisions that make AI possible across the product lifecycle, in close partnership with the software team and IT.
- Tooling and model selection. Build, buy, fine tune, or wrap. You make the call on what is fastest to value.
- A KPI dashboard the senior leadership team uses to track AI driven gains in real money and real time.
- Year one: hire one to two operators alongside you if and only if the work demands it.
How you fit in?
- Work alongside the Software Engineering and IT teams to design world-class data architecture, tools and processes that support the global adoption of iCOMAT’s Rapid Tow Shearing technology.
- Lead the development of iCOMAT’s AI Engineering team and grow the capability in line with the growth of the company.
- Support the work of the Structures Engineering, RTS Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering teams, unlocking productivity gains and delivering measurable impact.
- Work closely with the Senior Leadership Team to align AI initiatives to the wider company goals.
- Report progress directly to the CEO and collaborate on all aspects of the AI Roadmap.
Who you are?
- A builder. You ship. You break things on purpose to learn faster than everyone around you.
- Senior individual contributor and player coach. You write code, design systems, and lead by example. You are not allergic to a whiteboard or a shop floor.
- You have shipped applied machine learning solutions in a real industrial, manufacturing, robotics, or hard tech setting. Not just dashboards. Not just demos.
- You speak fluent KPI. You can defend an AI investment in front of a board with numbers, not adjectives.
- You collaborate without ego with software, IT, design, manufacturing, tooling, and QC leaders. You are aligned and accountable.
- You are comfortable with ambiguity, fast cadence, and ownership. Excuses do not ship parts. Execution does.
- You have MLOps and production deployment experience at scale.
- Great plus: Background in composites, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, or defense.
- Experience with computer vision applied to automated inspection, generative design, reinforcement learning for process control.
- Prior experience standing up an AI function from zero inside a fast moving company.
Our Values:
- Uncompromising Excellence: Discipline over excuses. We commit. We follow through. We hold ourselves and each other to the highest standard, especially when the pressure is on.
- Push the edge: iCOMAT was built on a refusal to accept that curved fiber could not be manufactured at scale. We innovate where others hesitate.
- Aligned and accountable: Everyone owns their lane, communicates openly, and delivers without being chased. No silos. No ambiguity.
Why iCOMAT?
- Competitive Salary & Benefits: We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including private healthcare, pension scheme.
- Stock Options: Equity options to give employees a stake in the company’s success.
- Career Growth Opportunities: Join us at a pivotal time as we scale up, offering unmatched professional growth opportunities in the rapidly advancing field of composite materials.
- Innovation-Focused Culture: We pride ourselves on our inclusive, forward-thinking work environment. Recognized by Bloomberg as a "UK Startup to Watch," iCOMAT celebrates diversity and encourages all applicants, regardless of background, to apply.
- Global Impact: Be a part of our mission to redefine lightweight structures for the automotive, aerospace, and space industries, working with some of the most influential companies worldwide.
Ready to be part of something big? Apply now to learn more and join us on our exciting journey!
Director of Applied AI in Gloucester employer: iCOMAT
ICOMAT is an excellent employer located in Gloucester, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises quality and innovation in composite materials. Employees benefit from competitive salaries, robust career development opportunities, and a collaborative culture that encourages process improvements and teamwork. Joining ICOMAT means being part of a forward-thinking company that values your contributions and supports your professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Applied AI in Gloucester
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with iCOMAT for a Director of Applied AI. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Applied AI in Gloucester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at iCOMAT, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At iCOMAT, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at iCOMAT
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with iCOMAT.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with iCOMAT. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like iCOMAT love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
