AI Engineer - E2

We're looking for a hands-on AI Engineer who is passionate about turning emerging AI technologies into practical solutions that deliver real business value. Working within our Customer Operations team, you'll design, build and deploy AI-powered products using the latest technologies, including Azure AI Foundry, Azure OpenAI, agentic AI and large language models.

From developing intelligent applications that enhance customer and colleague experiences to creating reusable AI frameworks and best practices, you'll play a key role in shaping how AI is adopted across the organisation. At Nationwide we offer hybrid working wherever possible. More rewarding relationships are supported through our hybrid approach, bringing colleagues together across our UK wide estate, whilst also supporting generous access to home working.

For this job you'll spend at least two days per week, or if part time you'll spend 40% of your working time, based at either our London, Swindon or Northampton office. If your application is successful, your hiring manager will provide further details on how this works.

You’ll design, build and deploy AI solutions that solve real business challenges and create value for our Customer Operations teams. Working with Azure AI Foundry, Azure OpenAI and open-source large language models, you’ll develop intelligent applications using agentic AI, RAG, vector search and machine learning technologies. You’ll collaborate with engineers, data specialists and business stakeholders to take AI solutions from concept through to production using scalable, secure deployment practices.

You’ll also create reusable AI assets, frameworks and best practices that accelerate adoption across the organisation. By simplifying complex concepts and guiding stakeholders on practical implementation, you’ll help shape how AI is used to improve customer and colleague experiences while promoting responsible and effective use of emerging technologies.

About you

As a minimum, we are looking for:

• AI & GenAI Development – Proven capability in building AI solutions using Azure AI Foundry, Azure OpenAI, OpenAI, Azure AI Search, and open-source large language models (LLMs).
• Python & Machine Learning – Advanced Python skills, with experience developing, deploying and optimising ML and AI solutions using frameworks and tools such as OpenRAG, OmniVec, Llama, PyTorch, TensorFlow, Keras and Scikit-learn.
• LLMOps & Responsible AI – Practical experience with prompt engineering, AI evaluation frameworks, monitoring, observability and LLMOps, alongside a solid understanding of Responsible AI principles and hands-on use of OpenAI and Claude models.
• Agentic AI & Vector Search – Experience designing and delivering multi-agent AI solutions, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) applications, vector databases including Cosmos DB, embedding models and semantic search capabilities.
• AI Platform Deployment & DevOps – Demonstrable experience deploying AI solutions through Azure AI Foundry using GitHub Actions and Azure DevOps CI/CD pipelines, with knowledge of automated testing, release management and production support practices.
• AI Technologies & Architecture - Demonstrable knowledge of reasoning models, multimodal AI, AI-assisted development (vibe coding), and cloud-based AI architectures and solutions.
• Communication & Stakeholder Management - Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to simplify complex AI concepts for a range of audiences.
• Collaboration - A collaborative and proactive problem-solver who is passionate about learning and focused on delivering outcomes.

Our customer first behaviours put customers and members at the heart of how we work together. They are the set of behaviours that every colleague needs to display, in every role:

• Feel what customers feel - We step into our customers’ shoes, using their feedback and insights to empathise with them and to understand their needs, so that every decision we make starts and finishes with our customers in mind.
• Say it straight - We are brave in speaking out and saying what we think – we’re honest and direct with good intent, openly sharing diverse perspectives to reach the best conclusions and using language everyone can understand.
• Push for better - We don’t settle for mediocrity, we challenge the status quo, taking responsibility for continuous improvement and personal development.
• Get it done - We prioritise what will have the greatest impact, we are decisive, and we take accountability for delivering brilliant customer outcomes.

You can strengthen your application by showing how our customer first behaviours resonate with you, and where you may have already demonstrated these.

The extras you’ll get

There are all sorts of employee benefits available at Nationwide, including:

• Private medical insurance
• A highly competitive pension to help you build a strong foundation for retirement
• Access to an annual performance-related bonus
• Training and development to help you progress your career
• A great selection of additional benefits through our salary sacrifice scheme
• Life assurance to provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones in the event of your death
• Wellhub – access to a range of free and paid options for health and wellness
• Up to 2 days of paid volunteering a year

Banking – but fairer, more rewarding, and for the good of society. We forge our own path at Nationwide. As a mutual, we’re owned by our members - those customers who bank, save or have a mortgage with us. We challenge the financial sector status quo. We don’t see customers as the engine of our own profit. We share our profits with them and put their needs first. Always there when they need us. Supporting them and their lives.

If you’re inspired by fairer finances, passionate about making a meaningful impact, and truly care about our customers, you’re one of us. At Nationwide, you are challenged to grow and rewarded for doing so. Valued. Recognised. Inspired to be your best. As a community, we want our working lives to count. As a team, we celebrate what we achieve. As a standard-setter, we work for the good of customers, communities, and broader society.

We are purpose-driven. Uncompromisingly customer. Unstoppably Nationwide.

Disability Confident

We’re not just guided by data, we’re driven by the real experiences of our people. We’re a Disability Confident Level 3 Leader, the highest level. That’s why we’re constantly evolving our policies and practices to make sure everyone feels genuinely supported, valued, and empowered to champion inclusion. Whatever your needs, we’re here to support you. If you need any additional support throughout your application journey, email our team at Recruitment Support.

Apply safely with Nationwide. Recruitment scams can look convincing, so take a moment to check the role is listed on our official careers site and read our guidance on Don’t be conned by a job scam.