At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build AI systems for enzyme engineering and scientific workflows.
- Company: Join Imperagen, a cutting-edge startup in Manchester's thriving tech scene.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and the chance to shape the future of biotechnology.
- Other info: Collaborate with top scientists and engineers in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact by integrating AI with robotics and scientific discovery.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in AI or software engineering; strong Python skills required.
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.
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 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.
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.
Applications Relevant candidates should reach out to us on: senior_ai_engineer@imperagen.com
Senior AI Engineer 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 a collaborative work culture where ambitious engineers can thrive while working on cutting-edge AI systems that directly impact scientific discovery. Our commitment to integrating AI with real-world experimentation provides unique opportunities for meaningful contributions and professional development in a fast-paced startup environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior AI Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the AI and biotech scene. Attend meetups, conferences, or even local tech events in Manchester. You never know who might be looking for someone just like you!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those related to AI and robotics. Share your GitHub or any relevant work on platforms like LinkedIn. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research Imperagen and understand their mission and technology. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Practice common technical questions and be prepared to solve problems on the spot.
✨Tip Number 4
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. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make an impact!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior AI Engineer
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, give 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 to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining 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 relevant tools or frameworks you've used, particularly in fast-paced environments.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
Imperagen values teamwork, so demonstrate your ability to work closely with scientists and engineers. Share instances where you've successfully collaborated across disciplines to solve complex problems or improve processes.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Prepare insightful questions about Imperagen's projects, culture, and future direction. This shows your genuine interest in the company and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you. Think about how you can contribute to their mission of integrating AI with scientific discovery.
