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- Tasks: Develop and deploy AI agents for high-tech greenhouses, maximising crop yields and minimising resource use.
- Company: Join a cutting-edge startup backed by leaders from Google DeepMind and Meta.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £125k, equity options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global agriculture and tackle climate change with innovative AI solutions.
- Qualifications: Strong background in machine learning, control systems, and software engineering skills.
- Other info: Be part of a fast-growing team revolutionising the future of food production.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 125000 £ per year.
Optimal is building AI agents to control the world’s most critical infrastructure - from factories to datacentres, starting with high-tech greenhouses. We are backed by the Director of AI Research at Google DeepMind, a Board Member at Meta, as well as early VCs in SpaceX, Anduril, and Palantir. 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. There are 8,000 high-tech greenhouses in the world today giving Optimal an opportunity to create >£8B/year of productivity gains. By overcoming the shortage of skilled operators, we enable the rapid deployment of new greenhouses outside cities across the world.
As a Founding 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.
- Deploy LLM agents to interact with customers and autonomously manage Optimal's AI control.
- 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:
- 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.
- Experience training Machine Learning models.
- Experience creating and deploying LLM agents and workflows.
- AI-native coding.
- Software engineering in Python (Julia is a bonus).
- Software engineering processes and tools (containers, version control, deployments etc).
Compensation:
- Salary: £70k – £125k
- Equity: 0.5% – 5.0%
Founding 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 Founding AI Simulation and Control Engineer (up to £125k + equity)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend relevant events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects related to AI, machine learning, or control systems. This gives you a chance to demonstrate your expertise and passion, making you stand out to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and scenarios specific to AI and control engineering. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with the format and types of questions you might face.
✨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, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our mission at Optimal.
We think you need these skills to ace Founding AI Simulation and Control Engineer (up to £125k + equity)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for AI: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for AI and its potential to revolutionise industries shine through. We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission at Optimal, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in machine learning, optimisation, or control systems. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your skills and how they can contribute to our groundbreaking work in high-tech greenhouses.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you a great fit for the Founding AI Simulation and Control Engineer role. Remember, less is often more!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Optimal!
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 your past projects and how they relate to the role at Optimal. They’ll want to see that you can not only talk the talk but also walk the walk!
✨Understand the Greenhouse Game
Familiarise yourself with high-tech greenhouses and their operational challenges. Knowing how AI can improve yields and resource management will show that you’re genuinely interested in their mission. It’s all about connecting your skills to their needs!
✨Show Off Your Coding Skills
Since software engineering is a big part of this role, be prepared to demonstrate your coding abilities, particularly in Python. You might even get a technical challenge during the interview, so practice writing clean, efficient code that showcases your problem-solving skills.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Prepare insightful questions about Optimal's technology and future plans. This shows that you’re not just there for the job, but that you’re invested in their vision. Plus, it gives you a chance to assess if this is the right fit for you too!