At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and deploy AI agents for high-tech greenhouses, enhancing global food security.
- Company: Join a pioneering startup backed by experts from Google DeepMind and top venture capitalists.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £125k, equity options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable agriculture and tackle global challenges with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in machine learning, optimisation, and software engineering, particularly in Python.
- Other info: Dynamic startup environment with significant career advancement potential.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 125000 £ per year.
Optimal’s Mission
Optimal Agriculture has developed the most advanced operating platform for high-tech greenhouses, which are critical to the future of agriculture. By enhancing human nutrition and fortifying global food security against climate change and geopolitical risks, Optimal is pioneering sustainable solutions for agriculture.
Optimal is building AI agents to control the world’s most critical infrastructure - from factories to datacentres, starting with high-tech greenhouses. We have already built the world’s most advanced AI control for high-tech greenhouses and have proven breakthrough performance in customer greenhouses. We are actively scaling to more greenhouses and have signed integration partnerships allowing us to access 75% of the world’s greenhouses.
High-tech greenhouses are key to our agricultural future - for improving human nutrition and securing our food system against climate change and geopolitical instability. But the shortage of skilled operators causes existing greenhouses to underperform and prevents new greenhouses being built. Our AI increases the profits of individual greenhouses by >£1M/year, increases yields, reduces energy and water usage, and unlocks global greenhouse expansion.
Your Role
As an AI Simulation and Control Engineer, you will have direct responsibility for the development and deployment of Optimal's AI agents at the most advanced greenhouses in the world. You will play a critical role in delivering AI to these greenhouses. This role is aimed at an ambitious engineer who is looking to play a fundamental role in delivering AI product at a fast-growing startup.
Your first 90 days:
- Visit a high-tech greenhouse to understand crops, hardware, and the underlying physical/biological processes.
- Adapt Optimal’s state-of-the-art simulation models to the greenhouse of a new customer and train the models on proprietary data from that greenhouse.
- Integrate the simulation models into Optimal’s AI control framework, taking real-time control of all of the greenhouse actuators.
- Monitor, review and continuously improve the performance of Optimal's AI to maximise crop yields and minimise resource consumption, working closely with our agronomy experts.
Technical skills
- Experience training Machine Learning models.
- Strong background in at least one of Machine Learning, Optimisation, Control (Model Predictive Control, Optimal Control, and classical feedback techniques), Reinforcement Learning, Physics Modelling and Numerical Simulation.
- Software engineering in Python (Julia is a bonus).
- Software engineering processes and tools (containers, version control, deployments etc).
- AI coding.
Compensation
Salary: £70k – £125k
Equity: 0.5% – 5.0%
AI Simulation and Control Engineer (up to £125k + equity) employer: Optimal Agriculture
Contact Detail:
Optimal Agriculture Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land AI Simulation and Control Engineer (up to £125k + equity)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Optimal’s mission and values, and understand how your skills as an AI Simulation and Control Engineer can contribute to their goals. This will help you stand out in interviews and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Engaging with people in the field can give you insider tips and might even lead to a referral, which can significantly boost your chances of landing the job.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your machine learning and control systems knowledge. Practice coding challenges in Python and be ready to discuss your past projects. We want to see how you think and solve problems, so be ready to showcase your skills!
✨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 proactive and really keen on joining the Optimal team. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace AI Simulation and Control Engineer (up to £125k + equity)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Agriculture: When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for sustainable agriculture and AI. Mention any relevant experiences or projects that highlight your commitment to improving food security and nutrition.
Tailor Your Skills to the Role: Make sure to align your technical skills with what we’re looking for. Highlight your experience in Machine Learning, Control Systems, and Python programming, and don’t forget to mention any hands-on projects that demonstrate your expertise.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experiences and achievements, making it easy for us to see how you fit into our mission at Optimal.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Optimal Agriculture
✨Know Your AI Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of AI, especially in areas like Machine Learning and Control Systems. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, particularly those involving simulation models or reinforcement learning.
✨Understand the Greenhouse Tech
Familiarise yourself with high-tech greenhouse operations and the challenges they face. This will help you connect your technical skills to the real-world applications at Optimal, showing that you’re not just an engineer but someone who understands the industry.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss how you've tackled complex problems in past roles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, focusing on how your solutions led to measurable improvements.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready about Optimal's future projects or their approach to integrating AI in greenhouses. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the company’s mission.