Head of AI Engineering in Preston

Head of AI Engineering in Preston

Preston Full-Time 120000 - 140000 ÂŁ / year (est.) Home office possible
KDR Talent Solutions

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and build AI engineering for transformative healthcare solutions.
  • Company: Fast-growing European HealthTech scale-up revolutionising patient care.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, remote work, flexible hours, and significant ownership.
  • Other info: Join a dynamic team with opportunities for growth and influence.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on healthcare outcomes with cutting-edge AI technology.
  • Qualifications: Strong AI engineering experience and leadership skills required.

The predicted salary is between 120000 - 140000 ÂŁ per year.

We’re working with a fast‑growing European HealthTech scale‑up that’s fundamentally changing how healthcare systems manage patient discharge and aftercare. Their platform already supports a significant proportion of hospitals and care providers, and AI is now central to the next phase of their growth.

They’re hiring a Head of AI Engineering to define, build, and lead their AI function, turning a strong foundation into a world‑class, production‑grade AI organisation. This is a senior, hands‑on leadership role for someone who wants real ownership, real impact, and the opportunity to shape how AI is deployed at scale in a regulated, mission‑critical environment.

The opportunity includes:

  • Defining and owning the AI engineering architecture across platform, applied AI, and agent orchestration layers
  • Building and scaling the AI engineering team, evolving from a hands‑on core into a structured organisation with clear ownership and leadership
  • Making high‑impact technical decisions around model selection, infrastructure, and build vs. buy trade‑offs
  • Working closely with product and engineering leadership to align AI capabilities with product strategy and delivery
  • Remaining hands‑on: writing code, reviewing PRs, and shipping systems, particularly in the early stages
  • Establishing standards for AI engineering workflows, including LLM‑assisted development practices
  • Ensuring architectural decisions are well‑documented, intentional, and able to evolve with a fast‑moving AI landscape

What they’re looking for:

  • Strong experience in software and AI engineering, with a proven record of designing and running production systems
  • Deep, hands‑on expertise in modern LLM‑based systems: prompt and context architecture, agent orchestration, evaluation frameworks, and observability
  • A clear understanding of how rapidly model capabilities evolve — and the judgement to adapt architecture as that landscape shifts
  • Confidence in making and defending architectural decisions, while constructively challenging assumptions
  • Experience hiring, mentoring, and scaling technical teams
  • Comfort operating without a fully established structure and motivation to define processes, standards, and direction
  • Strong opinions on AI‑native engineering workflows, including how LLMs should support coding, testing, documentation, and review
  • Excellent communication skills and confidence working in a remote‑first, international environment

Why consider this role?

  • Meaningful impact: Your work will directly improve outcomes for patients, families, and healthcare professionals
  • Strategic influence: AI is a core pillar of the company’s future — this is not an R&D side project
  • Autonomy and trust: Flat hierarchies, high ownership, and genuine influence over technical direction
  • Flexibility: Remote‑friendly setup, flexible working hours, and a culture that supports life outside of work
  • Growth journey: The chance to build a leading AI function within one of Europe’s most ambitious HealthTech platforms

If you’re excited by the idea of building AI systems that ship, scale, and matter, and want to lead AI engineering in a setting where your decisions truly count, we’d love to talk. Apply directly or reach out for a confidential conversation with our AI & Data recruitment team.

Head of AI Engineering in Preston employer: KDR Talent Solutions

Join a pioneering HealthTech scale-up that is transforming European healthcare through innovative AI solutions. As an employer, we offer a dynamic remote-first work culture that prioritises flexibility and work-life balance, alongside significant opportunities for professional growth and the chance to make a meaningful impact on patient care. With a flat hierarchy and a focus on autonomy, you'll have the freedom to shape the future of AI in healthcare while working with a passionate team dedicated to excellence.
KDR Talent Solutions

Contact Detail:

KDR Talent Solutions Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of AI Engineering in Preston

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend meetups, and connect 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

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your AI projects and contributions. This is your chance to demonstrate your hands-on experience and technical prowess, which is crucial for a role like Head of AI Engineering.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on both technical and strategic questions. Be ready to discuss your architectural decisions and how you've adapted to evolving AI landscapes. We want to see your thought process!

✨Tip Number 4

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 the role and the company.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of AI Engineering in Preston

AI Engineering
Software Engineering
Production Systems Design
LLM-based Systems Expertise
Prompt and Context Architecture
Agent Orchestration
Evaluation Frameworks
Observability
Architectural Decision Making
Team Hiring and Mentoring
Technical Team Scaling
AI-native Engineering Workflows
Communication Skills
Remote Work Adaptability

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of AI Engineering. Highlight your experience in AI and software engineering, and don’t forget to showcase any hands-on coding you've done. We want to see how you’ve made an impact in previous roles!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about AI in healthcare and how your skills align with our mission. Be genuine and let your personality come through – we love to see enthusiasm!

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this is a senior role, make sure to highlight your experience in building and leading teams. Share specific examples of how you've mentored others or made high-impact decisions in your previous positions. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and guide a team!

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 that you’re serious about joining our team at StudySmarter!

How to prepare for a job interview at KDR Talent Solutions

✨Know Your AI Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of AI engineering, especially around LLM-based systems and agent orchestration. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with production systems and how you've tackled challenges in the past.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Head of AI Engineering, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to build and scale teams. Prepare examples of how you've mentored others, made high-impact decisions, and defined processes in previous roles. This will show that you're not just technically savvy but also a great leader.

✨Be Ready for Technical Discussions

Expect to dive deep into technical discussions about architecture and model selection. Have your thoughts organised on build vs. buy trade-offs and be prepared to defend your architectural decisions. This is your chance to showcase your strategic thinking!

✨Align with Their Mission

Understand the company's mission to improve healthcare outcomes through AI. Be ready to discuss how your vision aligns with theirs and how you can contribute to making a meaningful impact. Showing genuine enthusiasm for their goals will set you apart!

Head of AI Engineering in Preston
KDR Talent Solutions
Location: Preston

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