At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and build AI capabilities in advanced manufacturing, driving productivity and quality.
- Company: Pioneering advanced manufacturing business with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Significant autonomy, direct access to leadership, and strong growth trajectory.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for team building and career growth.
- Why this job: Define the AI function and see your work impact real-world manufacturing challenges.
- Qualifications: Experience in deploying AI solutions in industrial environments and strong technical skills.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
A pioneering advanced manufacturing business is seeking a Director of Applied AI to build and lead its AI capability from the ground up. Having developed a unique, highly automated manufacturing platform and secured significant investment to support its next phase of growth, the business is now looking to leverage AI as a measurable driver of productivity, quality, and operational performance across its global manufacturing footprint.
This is not an AI strategy role. It is a hands-on leadership opportunity for someone who can identify opportunities, ship solutions, and demonstrate commercial impact quickly.
OpportunityReporting directly to senior leadership, you will own the AI road map and be responsible for deploying practical AI solutions across manufacturing, quality control, engineering design, tooling, and process optimisation. You'll inherit a rich operational dataset generated through highly automated manufacturing environments, but with the freedom to define the AI architecture, tooling, infrastructure, and long-term strategy required to scale AI across the business. This is a genuine greenfield opportunity where success will be measured through tangible outcomes rather than presentations, proofs of concept, or research papers.
Examples of focus areas include:- Predictive quality and automated defect detection
- Computer vision inspection systems
- Manufacturing process optimisation
- Engineering and design automation
- Tooling optimisation and intelligent tool path generation
- AI-driven process control and operational efficiency
- Data-driven decision making across the product life cycle
We’re looking for builders. People who have successfully deployed AI and machine learning solutions into real-world industrial environments and can demonstrate measurable business impact. You will likely come from a background in:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Industrial Automation
- Robotics
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Defence
- Hard-Tech Engineering
You’ll be comfortable operating at both strategic and technical levels, defining the road-map whilst remaining close to delivery. Key experience includes:
- Applied AI/Machine Learning deployment in production environments
- MLOps and scalable production deployment
- Computer Vision and industrial AI applications
- Data architecture and AI platform development
- Leading technical initiatives from concept through to implementation
- Demonstrable delivery of measurable operational improvements
This environment will suit someone who thrives in fast-moving, high-growth businesses. You should be comfortable:
- Working with ambiguity
- Identifying low-hanging fruit quickly
- Rapidly testing and validating ideas
- Building MVPs and iterating fast
- Measuring success through operational KPIs and business outcomes
The business is not looking for pure researchers, academic profiles, or AI leaders focused solely on long-term strategy. They’re looking for someone who can roll their sleeves up, work closely with engineering and manufacturing teams, and turn AI into a genuine competitive advantage.
Why Join?- Opportunity to define an AI function from day one
- Direct access to founders and senior leadership
- Significant autonomy and ownership
- Strong funding trajectory and ambitious growth plans
- Ability to build a team around you as the function scales
- Real-world application of AI within highly automated manufacturing environments
- Opportunity to influence the future of next-generation industrial technology
If you’re excited by applying AI to solve complex engineering and manufacturing challenges and want to see your work directly impact products, factories, and commercial performance, we’d love to hear from you.
Director of AI in Bristol employer: IO Associates
Join a pioneering advanced manufacturing business that offers a unique opportunity to shape the AI function from the ground up. With significant autonomy, direct access to senior leadership, and a strong funding trajectory, you'll be part of a dynamic work culture that values innovation and real-world application of AI. This role not only promises meaningful impact on products and processes but also provides ample opportunities for personal and professional growth in a fast-paced environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of AI in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or a project that highlights your AI expertise. This is your chance to demonstrate how you've turned ideas into real-world solutions, just like the role requires.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to AI deployment. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've made an impact in previous roles—this is what will set you apart!
✨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, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of AI in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Hands-On Experience:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your practical experience with AI and machine learning. We want to see how you've deployed solutions in real-world settings, so share specific examples that demonstrate your impact.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic CV and cover letter! Tailor your application to reflect the job description. Use keywords from the posting, especially around AI deployment and operational improvements, to show us you’re the right fit for this hands-on role.
Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate clarity! Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant, and focus on how your skills and experiences align with our needs in advanced manufacturing and AI.
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to shape our AI function from the ground up!
How to prepare for a job interview at IO Associates
✨Know Your AI Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your applied AI and machine learning knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've deployed AI solutions in industrial settings, and how those solutions made a measurable impact. This role is all about practical application, so have examples at the ready!
✨Understand the Business
Get familiar with the company's manufacturing processes and how AI can enhance them. Research their current operations and think about where AI could drive productivity or quality improvements. Showing that you understand their business will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Be Hands-On
This isn't just a strategic role; it's hands-on! Prepare to talk about how you've rolled up your sleeves in previous roles. Share experiences where you've built MVPs or iterated on AI solutions quickly. They want someone who can get things done, not just talk about ideas.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
As a Director, you'll need to lead teams and initiatives. Be ready to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully guided technical teams in the past. Highlight any experience you have in building teams or driving projects from concept to implementation.
