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- Tasks: Build and deploy AI tools to revolutionise investment processes.
- Company: Leading growth equity firm focused on enterprise technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, and hybrid work model.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and leadership within a dynamic team.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI in finance with significant autonomy and impact.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years in software or AI engineering, strong Python skills.
The predicted salary is between 115000 - 175000 £ per year.
A leading growth equity firm investing in enterprise technology businesses across the UK and Europe is hiring an elite Forward Deployed AI Engineer - an influential, hands-on individual contributor who will play a foundational role in shaping how AI is used across the investment lifecycle.
We are interested in talking to a high achieving, high energy, fast tracker with around 3-5 years in a top tier environment, post-University. An AI native with an engineering background and mindset.
Importantly, you will have worked in high-context environments where engineers work directly with end users to deliver real-world AI systems - define the technical stack, set the roadmap, and own the end-to-end delivery of internal AI systems.
As the sole AI Engineer, you will have responsibility for E2E delivery (yes, including all development + implementation), and the chance to build from a blank slate, shaping the firm's AI capability, including sourcing, research, diligence, and workflows. This is a highly autonomous role with significant responsibility and the freedom to experiment, iterate, and drive impact quickly. You'll move fluidly between rapid prototyping and production rigor, applying technical creativity to commercial decision-making.
More on the role:
- Build internal AI-powered tools, systems and agents to streamline sourcing, research, diligence, and portfolio monitoring
- Design and deploy end-to-end LLM applications including research copilots, RAG systems, workflow automation, data enrichment, and deal intelligence tooling
- Ingest, clean, and analyse external datasets through scripts, pipelines, and lightweight ML components
- Integrate third-party APIs, datasets, scraping frameworks, and internal systems such as CRM and deal flow platforms
- Rapidly prototype MVPs, validate value with the investment team, and harden the most impactful tools into reliable internal products
- Build simple internal interfaces using FastAPI, Streamlit, or Next.js to enable intuitive adoption
- Implement evaluation, observability, and governance to ensure accuracy, reliability, security, and responsible use of AI systems
- Guide and coach the investment team on the latest tools, processes
Skills and Experience:
- Circa 3-5 years in software engineering, applied AI engineering, ML engineering, or forward deployed roles
- Strong Python
- Experience building and deploying LLM applications (OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, etc.)
- Deep familiarity with RAG methodologies, embeddings, and vector databases (Pinecone, Weaviate, pgvector)
- Robust API integration experience, including working with third-party datasets, web APIs, or scrapers
- A product mindset, enjoys crafting scrappy prototypes that evolve into polished tools
- Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate directly with non-technical business users
- Exposure to finance, enterprise data tooling, or B2B SaaS analytics is a bonus
The AI Engineer will thrive in real-world environs where delivery is all - settings where you work directly with end users, navigate ambiguous or evolving requirements, and need to understand the commercial context as deeply as the technical one. It is envisaged that over time the role could evolve to include an element of trusted advisor / thought partner (i.e. for portfolio company / prospective investee company CEOs etc). Given the elite calibre and potential of the person we are after, there is a clear leadership path within the organisation.
Forward Deployed AI Engineer employer: Richard Wheeler Associates
Contact Detail:
Richard Wheeler Associates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Forward Deployed AI Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the finance and AI sectors. Attend meetups, webinars, or even casual coffee chats. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly to hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your AI projects, especially those that demonstrate your ability to deliver real-world solutions. This is your chance to shine and prove you can build impactful tools that align with what firms are looking for.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company’s tech stack and recent projects. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in high-context environments. Tailor your examples to show how you can contribute to their AI capabilities.
✨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 take the initiative to engage with us directly. Let’s get you that Forward Deployed AI Engineer role!
We think you need these skills to ace Forward Deployed AI Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Forward Deployed AI Engineer role. Highlight your experience in AI engineering and any relevant projects you've worked on that showcase your skills in building and deploying LLM applications.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about AI and how your background aligns with our needs. Don’t forget to mention your experience working directly with end users and delivering real-world AI systems.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: We want to see your technical prowess! Include specific examples of your work with Python, API integrations, and any tools or frameworks you’ve used. If you’ve built prototypes that evolved into polished products, let us know!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Richard Wheeler Associates
✨Know Your AI Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of AI applications, especially LLMs and RAG methodologies. Be ready to discuss your experience with Python and any projects where you've built or deployed AI systems. This role is all about hands-on experience, so be prepared to share specific examples.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Since this position involves navigating ambiguous requirements, think of scenarios where you've had to adapt quickly. Prepare to discuss how you approached challenges in previous roles, particularly in high-context environments where you worked directly with end users.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
Strong communication skills are key for this role. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms, as you'll need to collaborate with non-technical business users. Consider preparing a few examples of how you've successfully communicated with stakeholders in the past.
✨Demonstrate Your Product Mindset
This role requires a product mindset, so be ready to talk about how you've taken scrappy prototypes and turned them into polished tools. Think of specific instances where you've iterated on a project based on user feedback and how that impacted the final product.