At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build AI systems for enzyme engineering and scientific workflows.
- Company: Join a cutting-edge startup at the heart of Manchester's tech scene.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and a chance to shape the future of biotechnology.
- Other info: Collaborate with top scientists and engineers in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
- Why this job: Work on real-world AI systems that make a tangible impact in science and industry.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in AI or software engineering with strong problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Imperagen is a startup building an AI-powered enzyme engineering company focused on biocatalysis. Our mission is to accelerate the development of high-performance enzymes through the integration of artificial intelligence, computational modelling, robotics, laboratory automation, and advanced data infrastructure. At the core of the company is Imperagen’s proprietary Digital Enzyme Evolution™ platform, a closed-loop enzyme optimisation system combining AI-guided protein engineering, high-throughput robotics, experimental validation, structured scientific databases, and iterative machine learning to continuously improve enzyme performance in real-world industrial environments.
The Role
Imperagen is hiring a Senior AI Engineer to help build the AI systems powering the next generation of enzyme engineering. This is a deeply hands-on role for an ambitious engineer who wants to work on real-world AI systems operating at the intersection of machine learning, robotics, scientific experimentation, and industrial biotechnology. You will work directly with the CTO, scientists, software engineers, and automation teams to design and scale the company’s AI platform, helping connect models, data, robotics, laboratory workflows, and scientific decision-making into a continuously improving closed-loop system.
Responsibilities
- Design, build, and scale AI-powered software systems, machine learning infrastructure, and scientific data platforms
- Develop scalable pipelines for biological, experimental, and robotics-generated datasets
- Build and deploy AI models, automation systems, and AI-enabled tools that accelerate scientific workflows and internal decision-making
- Help architect Imperagen’s closed-loop AI, robotics, and scientific data platform
- Work closely with scientists and automation engineers to integrate AI systems with laboratory robotics and experimental workflows
- Rapidly prototype, iterate, and deploy AI-enabled systems using modern AI-assisted engineering workflows
- Leverage AI development tools, coding assistants, and automated engineering workflows to maximise development speed and experimentation velocity
- Contribute to scientific database architecture, knowledge systems, and scalable data infrastructure
- Solve difficult technical problems across machine learning, data systems, infrastructure, and scientific computing
- Participate in technical planning, architecture discussions, and platform evolution as the company scales
- Collaborate across AI, software, robotics, scientific, and operational teams to build tightly integrated technical systems
- Support and mentor junior engineers as the engineering organisation grows
Required Experience and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, or another quantitative discipline
- 5+ years of professional experience building AI, machine learning, software, or data systems in industry, research, or high-performance technical environments, or exceptional evidence of equivalent capability
- Strong experience building and deploying AI or machine learning systems
- Strong software engineering skills with experience building scalable systems and infrastructure
- Hands-on experience with Python and modern AI/ML tooling and frameworks
- Experience working with databases, data engineering workflows, and large-scale data systems
- Experience designing APIs, backend systems, distributed systems, or scalable technical infrastructure
- Experience building or deploying AI-enabled tools, workflow automation systems, or agentic tooling
- Strong understanding of modern machine learning workflows, evaluation, deployment, and monitoring
- Strong problem-solving ability and comfort operating in fast-moving, ambiguous technical environments
- Strong communication and collaboration skills
- High levels of curiosity, ownership, and technical ambition
Preferred Experience
- Experience building AI systems in biotech, scientific computing, robotics, computational biology, or other deep-tech environments
- Experience working with noisy, sparse, experimental, or highly specialised datasets
- Experience using AI-assisted development environments, coding agents, or automated development workflows
- Experience working with cloud infrastructure, MLOps, distributed systems, or scalable AI platforms
- Familiarity with laboratory automation systems, robotics platforms, or closed-loop experimentation workflows
- Experience contributing to fast-moving startup or scale-up environments where execution speed matters
- Experience mentoring engineers or contributing to technical leadership initiatives
- Interest in protein engineering, computational biology, biocatalysis, scientific AI systems, or autonomous experimentation
What Success Looks Like
- Delivering meaningful technical contributions to Imperagen’s AI, robotics, and scientific data platform
- Building scalable AI systems that improve scientific discovery and experimental decision-making
- Deploying AI-enabled automation and workflow tooling into real-world scientific operations
- Accelerating the performance and intelligence of Imperagen’s closed-loop optimisation platform
- Helping increase development speed, experimentation velocity, and platform capability across the company
- Contributing to the long-term technical advantage of Imperagen’s AI-driven biocatalysis platform
Compensation
Compensation will be calibrated for senior AI/software engineering talent in the Manchester market and will include salary plus equity participation, alongside the opportunity to help build a category-defining company operating at the intersection of AI, robotics, biology, scientific computing, and industrial impact.
Why Join Imperagen
This is an opportunity to build AI systems that interact directly with the physical world. At Imperagen, machine learning models do not sit in isolation; they connect to robotics systems, scientific databases, laboratory experimentation, and real industrial outcomes. You will help build practical AI-enabled tools and workflows that improve model development, scientific decision-making, data quality, and experimental throughput. If you are excited by scientific AI systems, autonomous experimentation, AI-assisted engineering, scientific computing, and building technology with real-world industrial impact, we would love to hear from you.
Senior AI Engineer in Manchester employer: Imperagen
Imperagen is an exceptional employer located in Manchester, a thriving hub for technology and AI innovation. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer hands-on opportunities to work at the forefront of AI and biotechnology, fostering a collaborative culture that encourages rapid learning and technical ambition. Our commitment to building practical AI systems means you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to making a real-world impact, all while enjoying competitive compensation and equity participation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior AI Engineer in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the AI and biotech fields. Attend meetups, conferences, or even local tech events in Manchester. You never know who might have a lead on that Senior AI Engineer role!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those related to AI and robotics. This is your chance to demonstrate your hands-on experience and technical prowess, which is super important for a startup like Imperagen.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Imperagen’s mission and technology. Understand their Digital Enzyme Evolution™ platform and think about how your experience can contribute to their goals. Tailor your answers to show you’re the perfect fit for their innovative environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the team at Imperagen and contributing to their exciting journey in AI and biotechnology.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior AI Engineer in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior AI Engineer role. Highlight your hands-on experience with AI systems, machine learning, and any relevant projects that showcase your technical prowess.
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 a perfect fit for Imperagen. Don’t forget to mention your excitement about working in a startup environment!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, include examples of how you've tackled complex technical challenges in the past. We love candidates who can think on their feet and come up with innovative solutions, especially in fast-paced environments.
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to join our team at Imperagen!
How to prepare for a job interview at Imperagen
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your AI and machine learning knowledge, especially as it relates to enzyme engineering and biocatalysis. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on and how they relate to the role at Imperagen.
✨Show Your Hands-On Experience
Since this is a deeply hands-on role, be prepared to share examples of your practical experience with AI systems, robotics, and scientific workflows. Highlight any projects where you’ve integrated these elements successfully.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
Imperagen values teamwork, so be ready to talk about how you've collaborated with scientists, engineers, or other teams in the past. Share specific instances where your communication and collaboration made a difference in a project.
✨Demonstrate Your Curiosity
Show your passion for learning and innovation in AI and biotechnology. Discuss any recent trends or technologies that excite you and how you see them impacting the future of the industry. This will show that you're not just looking for a job, but are genuinely interested in contributing to the field.
