At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and maintain innovative AI solutions for Commodities Trading.
- Company: Join Trafigura, a leader in digital transformation and AI technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse workforce, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with a dynamic team driving AI-powered evolution.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by transforming the way commodities trading operates.
- Qualifications: 5-8+ years in AI/ML systems and strong Python skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Main Purpose
Trafigura is undergoing an exciting Digital Transformation, developing innovative AI technologies to change the way we work in Commodities Trading. The Document AI team is a key pillar of this initiative, unlocking data-rich proprietary documents to enable high-value process optimisation and data science use cases. We are seeking an Applied AI Engineer to grow our Document AI platform, developing robust and scalable AI solutions that solve real business problems. As a document intensive industry, you will be building production-ready Agentic AI/LLM systems that radically transform Commodities Trading. This is a hands-on Individual Contributor role.
Required Qualifications
- 5-8+ years of experience building production AI/ML systems
- Modern Python proficiency with deep knowledge of the ecosystem (Pydantic, FastAPI, asyncio, type safety)
- Experience with modern AI frameworks (we currently favour Pydantic AI)
- Production experience maintaining human-in-the-loop systems and AI monitoring/observability
- Strong fundamentals in AI/ML evaluation frameworks
- Experience building agentic systems including MCP, tool calling, memory systems, vector-based knowledge stores, guardrails
- In depth understanding of modern software design principles (e.g. microservices, event-driven architectures, domain driven design, object oriented programming, test driven development)
- In depth understanding of modern software development lifecycle (CI/CD, IaC, Containerisation)
- Practical experience with cloud engineering (preference for AWS)
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience in Commodities, Fixed Income, Equities, Asset Management is a plus
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain Python-based AI applications
- Build and maintain document workflows using LLMs and classical NLP
- Debug model performance issues, handle edge cases, and optimize system reliability
- Write comprehensive tests and implement monitoring for AI/ML systems
- Rapidly prototype new features, evaluate them, and implement to production
- Participate in code reviews, technical design discussions, and architecture decisions
- Communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders to understand and translate business requirements into production code
Example projects you might own in the first 6 months include:
- Develop a specialised agent to automate highly complex commodity trading workflow
- Develop an agent to operate within human workflows, including seamless UI integrations and long running durable executions
- Develop a new AI product to extract key insights from firmwide market intelligence emails for front and middle office
Attributes for success
- Engineering mindset focused on delivering practical solutions that solve real business problems
- Self-directed and comfortable working autonomously with minimal supervision
- Pragmatic approach to technology choices - you pick the right tool for the job rather than chasing trends
- Deep appreciation for AI system reliability - you understand that making AI systems work consistently is the hardest part of the job
- Intellectually curious and adaptable to rapidly evolving AI/ML landscape
- Strong desire to help people solve problems
Key Relationships
You will work closely with the Digital Transformation Team to understand business requirements and rollout production-grade applications to solve them. You will support the Data Science & Engineering teams as a Centre of Excellence for Agentic AI and related tech, providing support in the form of knowledge sharing and tool adoption.
Department Overview
The Digital Transformation Team is a joint venture between Trading Technology and the Data Science and Engineering Team, driving Trafigura's AI-powered evolution in commodities trading. As a Centre of Excellence for Agentic AI, we develop scalable applications that impact over 5,000 employees daily, supporting both immediate business needs and broader data science initiatives across Trafigura's global operations.
Reporting Structure
You will report directly to the Document AI Lead.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and take pride in a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, medical condition or handicap, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Applied AI Engineer employer: Trafigura
Trafigura is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration within the rapidly evolving field of AI in commodities trading. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide opportunities for professional development and hands-on experience in cutting-edge technologies, all while promoting a diverse and inclusive culture. Join us in our Digital Transformation journey, where your contributions will directly impact thousands of employees globally and shape the future of our industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Applied AI Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your AI projects, especially those that align with the role. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common AI/ML questions and real-world problem-solving scenarios. Practice explaining your thought process clearly, as communication is key in tech roles.
✨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 about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Applied AI Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Applied AI Engineer role. Highlight your experience with Python and AI frameworks, and don’t forget to mention any relevant projects that showcase your skills in building production-ready systems.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re excited about the Digital Transformation at Trafigura and how your background aligns with the responsibilities of the role. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, emphasise your engineering mindset and your ability to deliver practical solutions. Share examples of how you've tackled real business problems with AI/ML systems in the past – we love seeing that hands-on experience!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Trafigura
✨Know Your AI Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of AI frameworks, especially Pydantic AI. Be ready to discuss your experience with building production-ready AI systems and how you've tackled real business problems in the past.
✨Show Off Your Python Skills
Since modern Python proficiency is a must, prepare to demonstrate your skills with libraries like FastAPI and asyncio. You might even be asked to solve a coding challenge, so practice writing clean, efficient code that adheres to best practices.
✨Understand the Business Context
Get familiar with the commodities trading industry and how AI can transform it. Be prepared to discuss how your technical solutions can directly impact business processes and improve efficiency within the company.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
You'll need to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders, so practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. Think about examples from your past where you successfully communicated technical ideas to diverse audiences.
