Lead AI Engineer

Lead AI Engineer

Full-Time 54000 - 126000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead AI projects and mentor a talented team in a hands-on role.
  • Company: Join Sopra Steria, a leader in innovative AI solutions.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible benefits, and remote work options.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of AI while making a real impact on business challenges.
  • Qualifications: Experience in AI, team leadership, and strong programming skills required.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career progression opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 54000 - 126000 £ per year.

Are you passionate about Artificial Intelligence and ready to lead from the front? We’re looking for a Lead AI Engineer to join our AI and Data Practice at Sopra Steria. This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll combine technical expertise with line management responsibilities, guiding and developing a talented team while shaping the future of AI solutions. You’ll work on cutting-edge projects, applying innovative AI technologies to solve complex business challenges. Alongside this, you’ll mentor and coach engineers, fostering a collaborative, high-performing environment. We offer great career progression opportunities, flexible benefits, and the ability to work from anywhere in the UK, with only occasional travel for client or team meetings.

What you’ll be doing:

  • Leading the delivery of advanced AI and agent-based solutions.
  • Managing and developing a team of engineers, providing hands-on line management and support.
  • Coaching and mentoring junior engineers, promoting best practice and growth.
  • Communicating complex AI concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Managing project delivery to ensure outcomes are on time, within budget and to quality standards.
  • Applying MLOps practices to address risk and technical debt.
  • Staying up to date with advancements in AI, agent architectures and emerging best practices.

What you’ll bring:

  • Proven experience in line management and team leadership within a technical environment.
  • Expertise in AI and Machine Learning, including agent-based AI, RAG (Retrieval Augmented Generation), multi-agent systems and conversational agents.
  • Strong programming skills in Python, Java or .NET.
  • Experience with GenAI and LLMs (e.g. ChatGPT, Claude, Llama, OpenAI), including prompt engineering, fine tuning and advanced search.
  • Familiarity with AI agent frameworks (e.g. Autogen AI) and digital assistant solutions such as Microsoft Copilot.
  • Knowledge of cloud-native engineering techniques for scalable AI deployment.

If you’re interested but not sure if your skills match every requirement, please apply – we’d love to hear from you!

Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent

Location: UK Wide (occasional travel for client or team meetings)

Security Clearance Level: SC Eligible

Salary: Up to £90,000

Benefits: £5,400 car allowance, 25 days annual leave with the option to buy additional days, private medical, life assurance, pension, and a generous flexible benefits fund.

We believe flexibility at work promotes balance and productivity. If you need to work flexibly, talk to us – we’re happy to explore what’s possible.

We embrace difference as a source of creativity, innovation and competitive advantage and are striving to become a more diverse organisation. We welcome applications from people with a diverse variety of backgrounds and identities. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or marital status.

We participate in the Disability Confident scheme and are committed to offering an interview to any candidate with a disability, who meets the minimum criteria for the role.

Lead AI Engineer employer: Sopra Steria Ltd

Sopra Steria is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and collaboration within the AI and Data Practice. With a commitment to employee growth, we offer extensive career progression opportunities, flexible benefits, and the freedom to work from anywhere in the UK, ensuring a healthy work-life balance. Our inclusive culture values diversity and empowers our team members to lead cutting-edge projects while mentoring the next generation of engineers.
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Contact Detail:

Sopra Steria Ltd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead AI Engineer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the AI field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a Lead AI Engineer role or can refer you directly.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your AI projects, especially those involving agent-based solutions or MLOps practices. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your communication skills. Be ready to explain complex AI concepts in simple terms, as you'll need to engage with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

✨Tip Number 4

Don't hesitate to apply through our website! Even if you don't meet every single requirement, we value diverse backgrounds and experiences. We want to hear from you, so go ahead and submit your application!

We think you need these skills to ace Lead AI Engineer

AI and Machine Learning
Agent-based AI
Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG)
Multi-agent systems
Conversational agents
Python programming
Java programming
.NET programming
Generative AI (GenAI)
Large Language Models (LLMs)
Prompt engineering
Fine tuning
MLOps practices
Cloud-native engineering techniques
Team leadership
Communication skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for AI: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for Artificial Intelligence shine through! We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission at StudySmarter and how you can contribute to shaping the future of AI solutions.

Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in AI and team leadership. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your expertise in AI technologies and your ability to manage and mentor a team effectively.

Communicate Clearly: Remember, we value clear communication! Use straightforward language to explain complex AI concepts, as this will show us you can bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Sopra Steria Ltd

✨Know Your AI Stuff

Make sure you brush up on the latest advancements in AI and machine learning, especially around agent-based solutions and conversational agents. Be ready to discuss your experience with technologies like GenAI and LLMs, as well as any hands-on projects you've led.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Since this role involves managing a team, be prepared to share specific examples of how you've successfully led and developed engineers in the past. Highlight your coaching style and how you promote best practices within your team.

✨Communicate Clearly

Practice explaining complex AI concepts in simple terms. You’ll need to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, so think about how you can make your points clear and engaging.

✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage project delivery. Prepare to discuss how you would handle risks, technical debt, and ensure quality outcomes in your projects.

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