At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI Accelerator initiatives, driving innovation and prototyping in geospatial technology.
- Company: Join a pioneering company transforming location data through AI.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, professional development, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI innovation with real-world impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in AI/ML engineering and strong technical leadership skills.
Salary: £79,079.00 - £92,258.00
Hybrid working 50/50% in Southampton.
My client is delivering world-class geospatial data and services that power innovation across government, business, and society. They are on a mission to unlock the full potential of location data and now, we’re accelerating that vision through artificial intelligence.
The Opportunity
Lead the establishment of AI Accelerator - a strategic initiative designed to unlock enterprise-wide value from AI. This is a unique opportunity to combine technical leadership with programme-level influence, driving innovation through rapid prototyping, capability building, and cross-functional collaboration.
You’ll work as part of a multidisciplinary team exploring advanced AI techniques such as geo foundation models, agentic systems, and LLM orchestration. Your goal: deliver high-impact prototypes that evolve into scalable, production-ready solutions, embedding AI in real-world contexts to reduce adoption friction and build organisational confidence in responsible AI use.
What You’ll Do
- Programme Leadership: Design and operate the AI Accelerator as a structured, high-impact programme that drives experimentation, rapid prototyping, and capability development across the business.
- Exploration & Innovation: Investigate emerging AI techniques, identify high-value applications, and surface associated risks and opportunities for the business.
- Technical Delivery: Own the design and build of prototypes, write production-grade code, conduct code reviews, and guide the transition from concept to scalable solution.
- Capability Building: Mentor participants, energise the AI Guild, and curate learning resources to strengthen skills and foster a culture of responsible experimentation.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Partner with product, data, and technology teams to align initiatives with strategic priorities and ethical standards.
- Communicating Impact: Track and communicate outcomes, insights, and recommendations to senior stakeholders, informing roadmap decisions and future investment.
About You
- Proven experience in AI/ML engineering, software development, and technical leadership.
- Strong understanding of modern AI techniques (LLMs, agentic systems, orchestration frameworks).
- Ability to write production-grade code and define engineering best practices.
- Skilled in programme design, stakeholder engagement, and the evaluation of impact.
- Passion for responsible AI adoption, including human-in-the-loop workflows and ethical application.
- Familiarity with AI governance frameworks, regulatory compliance, and secure software engineering practices.
- Ability to mentor, inspire, and influence across diverse teams.
- Commitment to continuous learning and staying current with emerging AI technologies and industry best practices.
Why Join
- Be at the forefront of AI innovation in geospatial technology.
- Work on cutting-edge projects with real-world impact.
- Enjoy a collaborative, inclusive culture with flexible working options.
- Access to professional development, competitive benefits, and a supportive environment.
The Rewards
We want you to love what you do and feel supported to do your best work. Their benefits include:
- Competitive salary and pension (contribute up to 12.07%).
- Performance-related bonus (where applicable).
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service).
- Enhanced family leave, including paid partner leave.
- Hybrid and flexible working options.
- Learning and development support, coaching and mentoring.
- Access to wellbeing support.
- Volunteering leave and matched fundraising.
AI Accelerator Lead in Southampton employer: Key Recruitment Limited
Joining Key Recruitment Ltd as an Event Steward for the prestigious Goodwood Revival offers a unique opportunity to be part of one of the world's most celebrated historic motorsport events. With a focus on teamwork and community, you'll enjoy a vibrant work culture that values your contributions while providing competitive pay and the chance to engage with passionate attendees in a stunning location. This role not only allows you to immerse yourself in iconic automotive history but also fosters personal growth through hands-on experience in event management and crowd safety.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land AI Accelerator Lead in Southampton
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Key Recruitment Limited or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Key Recruitment Limited.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Key Recruitment Limited.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Key Recruitment Limited that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace AI Accelerator Lead in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Key Recruitment Limited.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Key Recruitment Limited and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Key Recruitment Limited
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Key Recruitment Limited uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
