At a Glance
- Tasks: Support data engineering and AI/ML projects in innovative agricultural systems.
- Company: Join a pioneering agri-tech organisation driving innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days of leave, flexible hours, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career growth and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the agri-tech sector with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Postgraduate qualifications and experience in data automation and geospatial skills required.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 58000 € per year.
Application Deadline: 31 May 2026
Department: Test, Trial & Demonstration
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Field
Compensation: £48,000 - £58,000 / year
Job purpose: Provide specialist data engineering, AI/ML and analytics expertise to support ventures developing autonomous or automated agricultural systems. This includes field robotics, mechatronic systems, airborne platforms (e.g., UAVs), and automation workflows across horticulture and field settings. Ensures data‑led technologies are integrated, validated and evidenced appropriately across trials, working collaboratively across TTD, and ensuring interoperability, standards and data quality throughout delivery. Undertake horizon scanning to ensure that new data/AI technologies, companies and opportunities are identified and evaluated.
Team Purpose: Shape the organisation’s data & AI roadmap and ensure technical expertise informs SME progression, facility development and programme delivery. Enabling ventures to validate performance, generate trusted operational data, and accelerate commercial adoption of robotics solutions. This is a hybrid role based at our tech site at Cranfield. Travel to other sites might be required occasionally.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support technology businesses with their data/AI development and commercial value propositions, aligning with sector and commercial realities and linking them to relevant expertise.
- Provide insight to define data strategies and evidence plans for trials (capture, metadata, quality, benchmarking), working collaboratively with the Trials and Facilities teams.
- Maintain and grow specialist and sector knowledge, staying at the forefront of developments in the UK and internationally and utilizing this knowledge to set strategic direction, support technology businesses and create partnerships.
Strategic Responsibilities:
- Technical leadership: Advise businesses on ETL/ELT, data models, geospatial workflows and AI readiness, and lead technical aspects of product development in programme and project work where data is core.
- Stakeholder engagement: Demonstrate sector leadership in engaging across the agri‑tech ecosystem, building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders and contributing to national data standards and interoperability discussions.
- Data analysis: Understand, interpret and present technical data to generate clear, defensible insight for ventures and to support the development of data/AI technologies.
- Horizon scanning: Identify new technologies and businesses to engage with, supporting the development of new strategy and/or business opportunities.
Operational Responsibilities:
- Design and review data flows for trials, to ensure benchmark‑ready datasets are created for businesses.
- Build or guide pipelines (e.g. FME Flow/Form, Python‑based automation) and geospatial data processes (e.g. PostGIS) where needed; diagnose schema, performance and integration issues.
- Work across the wider TT&D team to enhance our capabilities and identify new opportunities.
- Contribute to evidence frameworks (benchmarking, inputs to TEA/LCA) and to e.g. AI data labelling and computer‑vision workflows.
- Deliver/contribute expertise to commercial and CR&D projects as required.
- Support the delivery of technical events such as technology demonstrations in an engaging and professional manner.
Leadership / People Responsibilities: Sector leadership function with respect to data & AI.
What we are looking for:
Essential:
- Postgraduate qualifications in a relevant discipline.
- Proven experience of ETL/ELT and data automation (e.g. FME Flow/Form, Python); strong geospatial skills (e.g. PostGIS).
- Working understanding of ML/computer‑vision data pipelines, labelling and annotation requirements and data‑quality processes for AI.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and influence a diverse range of stakeholders.
- Experience of diagnosing and resolving data engineering issues (schema design, validation, performance, integration).
- Experience in delivering workshops and presentations.
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with a focus on innovative and practical solutions.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise tasks effectively when multi‑tasking.
- Good teamwork, using a collaborative approach and excellent consultative skills.
- Ability to deliver accurately to tight deadlines and under own initiative.
- Ability to translate technical information for non‑technical audiences.
Desirable:
- Understanding of the R&D process, the agri‑tech sector, and agricultural datasets/sector geospatial sources.
- Familiarity with MLOps/DataOps and ML training pipelines.
- Exposure to on‑prem/hybrid environments (e.g. Hyper‑V) and Linux administration.
- A successful history of applying for grant funding and commercial tenders.
- Familiarity with national/international agricultural data‑standards initiatives and interoperability schemes.
- Excellent IT skills and proficient with Microsoft environments, including task management tools.
- Full UK driving licence.
Technical / Professional Competencies:
- Knowledge of data engineering, geospatial data processing, data standards/interoperability, AI/ML and computer‑vision data pipelines.
- Technical/analytical capability in data/AI, design and validation.
- Understanding of real‑world operational constraints and simulation‑to‑field workflows.
- Data literacy.
- Stakeholder engagement and customer management skills.
- Communication skills – translating complex analysis for non‑technical audiences.
Why join us? You will be part of a pioneering organisation driving innovation in agri‑tech, whilst working in a collaborative and forward‑thinking environment. There is opportunity to grow and develop within a newly established organisation, plus a range of benefits including:
- 33 days of annual leave with flexible public holidays allocation
- Flexible working hours
- 4x salary life assurance
- EAP with 24/7 helpline and expert advice service (legal, finance, health)
- Pension salary sacrifice scheme availability
- Fees for professional memberships
- Ongoing training and development
If you are ready for a role that truly makes an impact – join us and be part of something meaningful. We’d love to hear from you!
Technology Specialist (Data & AI) in Cranfield employer: UK Agritech Centre do
Join a pioneering organisation at the forefront of agri-tech innovation, where you will work in a collaborative and forward-thinking environment. With a commitment to employee growth, we offer extensive benefits including 33 days of annual leave, flexible working hours, and ongoing training opportunities, ensuring that your career development is as important to us as it is to you. Located at our tech site in Cranfield, this role provides a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful advancements in autonomous agricultural systems while enjoying a supportive workplace culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technology Specialist (Data & AI) in Cranfield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the agri-tech scene. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Technology Specialist gig!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or case studies showcasing your data engineering and AI projects. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your successes and how you tackled challenges. It’s all about proving you can deliver results!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Before any interviews, do some mock sessions with friends or mentors. Focus on explaining complex tech concepts in simple terms, as you’ll need to engage with a diverse range of stakeholders. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from our site. It shows you’re genuinely interested in joining us. Plus, it’s a great way to stay updated on any new opportunities that pop up!
We think you need these skills to ace Technology Specialist (Data & AI) in Cranfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with data engineering, AI/ML, and analytics. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Technology Specialist, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant projects!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:When filling out your application, be specific about your technical expertise, especially in ETL/ELT processes and geospatial data handling. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so let us know what tools and technologies you’re comfortable with.
Engage with Our Mission:In your cover letter, express why you’re passionate about agri-tech and how you see yourself contributing to our goals. We love candidates who resonate with our mission, so share your enthusiasm for innovation in this field!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at StudySmarter.
How to prepare for a job interview at UK Agritech Centre do
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of ETL/ELT processes, data automation tools like FME Flow/Form, and geospatial skills such as PostGIS. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the tech but can also apply it in real-world scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders, practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated technical information to non-technical audiences in the past.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Questions
Expect questions that assess your analytical and problem-solving skills. Think of specific instances where you've diagnosed and resolved data engineering issues or improved data quality processes. Be ready to walk through your thought process during these challenges.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Agri-Tech
Research the latest trends and technologies in the agri-tech sector. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to the organisation's data & AI roadmap and share any insights you've gathered from horizon scanning. Showing genuine interest will set you apart!
