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- Tasks: Shape AI capabilities and build innovative tools for investment processes.
- Company: Leading growth equity firm focused on enterprise technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, and hybrid work model.
- Why this job: Be a pioneer in AI, driving impactful change in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in software or AI engineering with strong Python skills.
- Other info: Autonomous role with opportunities for rapid prototyping and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 160000 - 175000 £ per year.
A leading growth equity firm investing in enterprise technology businesses across the UK and Europe is hiring a Senior AI Engineer - an elite, hands-on developer who will play a foundational role in shaping how AI is used across the investment lifecycle.
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.
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. This is a highly autonomous architect-led 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:
- 7+ 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 Senior 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, albeit in a small way, to include an element of trusted advisor / thought partner (i.e. for portfolio company / prospective investee company CEOs etc).
Founding AI Engineer employer: Richard Wheeler Associates
Contact Detail:
Richard Wheeler Associates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding AI Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend meetups, conferences, or even online webinars. 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 projects, especially those related to AI and ML. Share your GitHub or any relevant work that demonstrates your expertise. This is your chance to shine and prove you’re the right fit for the role!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and scenarios. Think about how you would approach building AI systems from scratch. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using platforms that offer practice sessions.
✨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 are proactive and take the initiative to reach out directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Founding AI Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Senior AI Engineer. Highlight your experience with LLM applications and any relevant projects that showcase your skills in Python and API integration. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're excited about this role and how you can contribute to shaping our AI capabilities. Be sure to mention any experience working directly with end users, as that's super important for us.
Showcase Your Projects: If you've built any AI tools or systems, don't hold back! Include links or descriptions of your projects that demonstrate your ability to prototype and deliver impactful solutions. We love seeing creativity in action, so let us know what you've been up to!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it's super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Richard Wheeler Associates
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technical stack mentioned in the job description. Brush up on your Python skills and be ready to discuss your experience with LLM applications and RAG methodologies. Being able to articulate your hands-on experience with these technologies will show that you’re not just familiar, but truly capable.
✨Showcase Your Prototyping Skills
Prepare to talk about specific projects where you've rapidly prototyped MVPs. Highlight how you validated their value with end users and iterated based on feedback. This role is all about building impactful tools, so demonstrating your ability to create and refine prototypes will set you apart.
✨Communicate Clearly with Non-Techies
Since this position involves working closely with non-technical business users, practice explaining complex AI concepts in simple terms. Think of examples where you’ve successfully collaborated with stakeholders from different backgrounds. This will showcase your strong communication skills and your ability to bridge the gap between tech and business.
✨Understand the Commercial Context
Familiarise yourself with the investment lifecycle and how AI can enhance it. Be prepared to discuss how your technical decisions can drive commercial outcomes. Showing that you understand the bigger picture will demonstrate that you’re not just a techie, but a strategic thinker who can contribute to the firm’s goals.