At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and deployment of impactful AI solutions that transform industries.
- Company: Join Laing O'Rourke, a pioneering engineering and construction firm with over 150 years of experience.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team focused on sustainability and operational excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by applying AI to enhance decision-making and drive innovation.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in AI engineering and strong understanding of machine learning practices.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
The IT function has renewed its strategy in response to Laing O'Rourke's ambition to help transform an industry, making it more sustainable, more productive, and fit for the future. Our opportunity is to apply technology in ways that genuinely matter, shaping how complex projects are delivered, how decisions are made, and how innovation improves outcomes for people, communities, and the environment. The mission is clear - to create a modern, resilient technology environment, where data underpins every decision, AI enhances every process, and digital capability accelerates progress at scale. We are building a different kind of IT function to help achieve this, one that is trusted, forward-looking, and deeply connected to the success of the business. You will work on meaningful technical challenges, contribute to important initiatives, and grow your capability in a supportive environment. You will be trusted with responsibility, encouraged to contribute ideas, and able to see the impact of your work. We are looking for people who are curious, thoughtful and motivated by contributing to something larger than themselves.
Role Purpose
The AI Engineering Manager is responsible for the design, development, and scaling of production-grade AI and machine learning solutions across Laing O'Rourke. Reporting to the Principal Lead - Data & AI Solutions and Insight, this role leads a multidisciplinary team to deliver AI capabilities that automate processes, enhance decision-making, and unlock measurable business value.
You Will Ensure AI Solutions Are Engineered, Deployed, And Scaled Effectively, Working As Part Of The Wider Data & AI Operating Model
- Enterprise Data & AI Enablement - defines where and how data and AI are applied across the business
- Data & AI Solutions and Insight - builds and delivers the solutions that realise that value
- Data Platforms and Governance - provides trusted, secure, and scalable data foundations
You will be accountable for moving AI from experimentation to reliable, enterprise-scale capability, ensuring solutions are robust, secure, and embedded into operational systems.
Key Accountabilities
- AI Solution Engineering and Delivery
- Lead the design, development, and deployment of AI and machine learning solutions into production
- Ensure solutions are scalable, reliable, and aligned to enterprise architecture and data platforms
- Drive the transition from experimentation to production and sustained operation
- Use Case Delivery and Business Value
- Partner with the Data & AI Enablement team and business stakeholders to deliver high-value AI use cases
- Translate business challenges into practical, outcome-driven AI solutions
- Ensure clear linkage between AI delivery and measurable business outcomes
- Engineering Excellence and Standards
- Establish best practices for model development, testing, deployment, and monitoring
- Implement strong MLOps and engineering discipline across AI delivery
- Promote reuse of models, components, and delivery patterns
- Integration with Data Platforms
- Work closely with the Data Platforms and Governance team to ensure AI solutions are built on trusted, well-managed data
- Ensure efficient data access, integration, and performance for AI workloads
- Governance and Responsible AI
- Ensure AI solutions comply with enterprise governance, security, and data standards
- Embed responsible AI practices including transparency, explainability, and ethical use
- Monitor model performance, drift, and business impact
- Scaling and Operationalisation
- Ensure AI solutions are embedded into business processes and operational systems
- Drive reuse and scalability across use cases and domains
- Reduce reliance on bespoke solutions through standardisation and platform use
- Leadership Contribution
- Build and lead a high-performing AI engineering team
- Develop capability in machine learning, engineering, and delivery discipline
- Foster a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement
- Act as a visible and credible technical leader within the IT team
Key Measures of Success
- Successful delivery of production-grade AI solutions with measurable business impact
- Increased adoption of AI-driven automation and decision-support capabilities
- Scalable, reliable AI systems operating across multiple business domains
- Reduced time from use case definition to production deployment
- Strong collaboration with Data Enablement and Platform teams
- High-performing, engaged AI engineering team
Qualifications And Experience
Essential skills and experience
- Proven experience leading AI engineering or machine learning teams in complex environments
- Strong hands-on understanding of ML, AI engineering, and model deployment practices
- Experience delivering AI solutions into production at scale
- Strong understanding of data platforms, cloud technologies, and integration patterns
- Ability to translate business problems into AI-enabled solutions
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
Desirable Experience
- Experience with MLOps platforms and automation
- Experience operating in organisations undergoing data or digital transformation
- Familiarity with construction, manufacturing, or other asset-intensive industries
About Us
Laing O'Rourke are an international engineering and construction company delivering state-of-the-art infrastructure and buildings projects for clients in the UK, Middle East and Australia. Certainty, reliability, quality – this is what our clients want. And at Laing O'Rourke, we have more than 150 years of experience delivering it. Laing O'Rourke's story is one of energy, passion, ambition, people and teamwork. We harness the power of our experience, stretching back over a century and a half to deliver certainty for our clients.
AI Engineering Manager in Dartford employer: Laing O'Rourke
Laing O'Rourke is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, making it an ideal place for an AI Engineering Manager to thrive. With a commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge technology, employees are empowered to tackle meaningful challenges while enjoying ample opportunities for professional growth in a supportive environment. The company's focus on responsible AI practices and strong leadership ensures that your contributions will have a tangible impact on the future of the industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land AI Engineering Manager in Dartford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, 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
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their mission and values, especially how they relate to AI and sustainability. This will help you tailor your answers and show you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your technical skills and be ready to showcase them. Whether it's through coding challenges or discussing past projects, being able to demonstrate your expertise will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace AI Engineering Manager in Dartford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in AI engineering and machine learning. We want to see how your skills align with our mission to transform the industry!
Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your past projects, focus on the measurable outcomes you achieved. We love seeing how your contributions made a difference, especially in terms of business value and innovation.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for curious and motivated individuals who are passionate about contributing to something larger than themselves, so don’t hold back!
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our official website. It’s the easiest way for us to review your details and get you into the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Laing O'Rourke
✨Know Your AI Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your AI and machine learning knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. This role is all about delivering production-grade solutions, so show them you know your stuff!
✨Understand the Business Impact
It's crucial to connect your technical skills with business outcomes. Prepare examples of how your AI solutions have driven measurable value in previous roles. This will demonstrate that you can translate complex problems into practical, outcome-driven solutions.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
As an AI Engineering Manager, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Think about your leadership style and be ready to share experiences where you've built high-performing teams or fostered a culture of quality and accountability. They want to see you as a credible technical leader.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about their AI strategy and how they envision the role contributing to their goals. This shows your genuine interest in the company and helps you understand if it's the right fit for you. Plus, it gives you a chance to engage in a meaningful conversation!
