Data engineer in AI systems in London

Data engineer in AI systems in London

London Full-Time 63000 - 77000 £ / year (est.) On-site
Q

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Build data infrastructure for cutting-edge AI applications and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
  • Company: Join a global leader in AI solutions with a diverse and innovative culture.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, mentorship, and continuous learning opportunities.
  • Other info: Work in a dynamic team across 65+ countries, fostering creativity and collaboration.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in AI while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Computer Science/Engineering and 1+ years of data engineering experience required.

The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.

You will build the foundational data infrastructure that powers cutting-edge AI applications leveraging LLMs, retrieval systems, workflows, and emerging agentic architectures. You will design and maintain scalable data pipelines, manage secure data environments, and prepare data for AI-driven systems while collaborating with cross-functional teams and clients.

Tasks:

  • You will design and maintain scalable data pipelines, manage secure data environments, and prepare data for AI-driven systems while collaborating with cross-functional teams and clients.
  • You will design and build the scalable, reproducible data components essential for machine learning, agentic, and autonomous AI systems.
  • You’ll assess data landscapes, apply data quality fundamentals, and prepare data for AI solutions.
  • Additionally, you’ll learn to translate simple hypotheses into engineered features, manage secure data environments, and contribute to R&D initiatives focused on innovating and scaling next-generation AI capabilities.
  • Collaborating across QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey and QuantumBlack Labs teams, you’ll help develop innovative AI capabilities and scalable enterprise solutions.
  • You’ll help build robust data foundations for scalable, production-ready AI systems.
  • Working in cross-functional Agile teams, you’ll collaborate closely with Data Scientists, Machine Learning Engineers, and industry experts to deliver AI solutions.
  • By partnering with clients—from data owners to C-level executives—you’ll help solve complex problems that drive tangible business value and begin to build your skills as a client-facing technologist.

Requirements:

  • Degree in Computer Science/Engineering, or equivalent experience.
  • 1+ years of relevant professional experience building and deploying data solutions.
  • Strong proficiency in Python and SQL for data engineering and experience writing robust, production-grade code, including deploying code across environments.
  • Proven experience building end-to-end data pipelines and platforms for Agentic AI, Generative AI, Machine Learning, or Business Intelligence, covering data preparation, embeddings generation, vector search, and system integration using modern frameworks (Spark, dbt, LangChain).
  • A strong foundation in system design, data storage, and reliability with commonly used data platforms (Databricks, Snowflake, BigQuery, PSQL, etc.) and data engineering tools (e.g., Pandas, Spark, dbt, etc.).
  • Hands-on experience with MLOps/LLMOps principles, including CI/CD for data workflows, automated agent evaluation (LangSmith, Opik, Langfuse), and infrastructure as code (Terraform).
  • Experience building systems with different data formats (structured vs unstructured) and data processing methods (streaming vs batch) and deploying across major cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
  • Exceptional time management in a complex and largely autonomous work environment.
  • Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, in English and local office language(s).

Desirable:

  • Commercial client-facing or senior stakeholder management experience is beneficial.
  • Experience using coding agents (Cursor, Claude Code, Codex, etc.) is a plus.

Conditions:

In return for your drive, determination, and curiosity, we'll provide the resources, mentorship, and opportunities you need to become a stronger leader faster than you ever thought possible. Your colleagues—at all levels—will invest deeply in your development, just as they invest in delivering exceptional results for clients. Every day, you'll receive apprenticeship, coaching, and exposure that will accelerate your growth in ways you won’t find anywhere else.

Continuous learning: Our learning and apprenticeship culture, backed by structured programs, is all about helping you grow while creating an environment where feedback is clear, actionable, and focused on your development.

A voice that matters: From day one, we value your ideas and contributions. You’ll make a tangible impact by offering innovative ideas and practical solutions, all while upholding our unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity.

Global community: With colleagues across 65+ countries and over 100 different nationalities, our firm’s diversity fuels creativity and helps us come up with the best solutions for our clients. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from exceptional colleagues with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

World-class benefits: On top of a competitive salary (based on your location, experience, and skills), we provide a comprehensive benefits package to enable holistic well-being for you and your family.

Data engineer in AI systems in London employer: QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey

At QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to push the boundaries of technology. With a focus on professional growth, we offer extensive training and development opportunities, ensuring that our team members thrive in their careers while working on impactful projects in vibrant cities like London and Madrid. Join us to be part of a diverse global team dedicated to solving complex engineering challenges with cutting-edge AI solutions.

Q

Contact Details:

QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Data engineer in AI systems in London

✨Get Involved in Data Science Meetups

Tap into local data science meetups or workshops to connect with fellow enthusiasts and professionals. These events are goldmines for networking, and sometimes even lead directly to job openings at companies like QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey!

✨Show Off Your Projects

Start building a public portfolio showcasing your data science projects on platforms like GitHub or personal websites. Highlight unique analyses or models you've developed. This not only demonstrates your skills but also gets your name out there for roles like Data engineer in AI systems at QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey.

✨Leverage Professional Networks

Join professional bodies related to data science, like the Data Science Society or similar organisations. Getting involved can lead to mentorship opportunities and insider knowledge about full-time positions at companies like QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey.

✨Apply Directly through Our Website

When you find a suitable opening like Data engineer in AI systems at QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey, make sure to apply directly through our website. It gives you an edge and shows you're keen to join our team. Plus, who doesn’t love a direct application? It’s easier than navigating through job boards!

We think you need these skills to ace Data engineer in AI systems in London

Data Engineering
Python
SQL
Building End-to-End Data Pipelines
Machine Learning
Generative AI
Data Preparation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Projects:In the world of data science, your projects can speak volumes about your skills. Make sure to showcase a few key projects in your CV or portfolio, especially those that highlight your ability to work with data sets, build models, or use relevant tools like Python, R, or SQL. Don’t forget to include links to any GitHub repositories if applicable!

Quantify Your Achievements:Employers love numbers! When drafting your CV, highlight your achievements with quantifiable results. For instance, mention how your data analysis led to a certain percentage increase in efficiency or revenue at a previous job or project. These details can really make your application pop!

Craft a Tailored Cover Letter:For a full-time role at QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey, your cover letter should reflect your passion for data science and your excitement about the specific projects or values of the company. Dive into why you’re a good fit, how your skills align with their needs, and any unique perspectives you can bring to the team.

Stand Out with Relevant Courses and Certifications:Although experience talks, relevant courses or certifications can be your ticket to impressing hiring managers at QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey. Mention any standout courses you've completed that equipped you with essential skills, such as machine learning certifications or data visualisation courses. This shows your commitment to continuously developing your skills in the field!

How to prepare for a job interview at QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey

✨Brush Up on Your Statistics

For a data science role, we need to seriously sharpen our statistics skills. Get ready to tackle technical questions on probability distributions, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. These are often the bread and butter of data science interviews, so don't just skim over them!

✨Showcase Your Projects

Prepare a killer portfolio showcasing your data science projects. We should include details about the datasets used, the tools and techniques applied, and the impact of your findings. If we can walk them through a particularly challenging project or a cool visualisation that had real-world implications, it’ll really make us stand out!

✨Get Comfortable with Python and R

Most data science positions require us to be proficient in programming languages like Python and R. We should practice common libraries like pandas, NumPy, and scikit-learn, and be ready for live coding exercises or algorithm questions. Showing off our coding chops can really impress the interviewers at QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey!

✨Prepare for Case Studies

Expect to encounter real-world case studies during the interview. We might be asked how we’d approach a data problem or analyse a dataset to extract insights. It's essential to think out loud and demonstrate our problem-solving process so that the interviewer can see our logical thinking in action.