At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and deployment of AI-enabled Digital Twin platforms for energy and utility management.
- Company: Join the University of Derby and Saith Ltd, a forward-thinking partnership.
- Benefits: Fixed-term contract, personal training budget, and access to top university facilities.
- Other info: Collaborate with experts and gain hands-on experience in a supportive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact with cutting-edge AI solutions in a dynamic engineering environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in AI, data-driven solutions, Python, SQL, and machine learning techniques.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
University of Derby's College of Science and Engineering, in partnership with Saith Ltd, is offering an exciting career development opportunity to manage and deliver a challenging strategic Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project. Based at Saith Ltd's premises in Hampshire, you will be employed by the University as a KTP Associate but work under the terms and conditions of the company.
You will lead the design, development, and deployment of a practical, production-ready AI-enabled Digital Twin platform to support intelligent asset management within energy and utility infrastructure. You will work at the interface of research and industry, translating advanced AI, computer vision, and data-driven methods into scalable solutions deployed within live engineering environments.
You will take ownership of the end-to-end system lifecycle, integrating multi-source data, including BIM, LiDAR, point cloud, and operational datasets, to develop solutions for automated inspection, anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, and intelligent decision support. Crucially, you will ensure that solutions are commercially viable, aligned with client requirements, and deliver measurable operational value.
Working closely with design, construction, and operational teams, you will contribute directly to live engineering projects, ensuring solutions are effectively integrated, validated, and deliver real-world impact. The role will also support the adoption of AI and Digital Twin technologies within Saith through training, knowledge transfer, and integration into operational workflows.
This is a unique opportunity for an ambitious candidate to contribute to the development of scalable digital solutions, supporting improved asset performance, operational efficiency, and data-driven decision-making across infrastructure and utility sectors. You will also have the opportunity to contribute to the long-term development of AI and Digital Twin capability within the organisation, supporting future growth and innovation.
Using your knowledge and skills to support the business and achieve specific project aims, you will receive ongoing support from a Supervisor at Saith Ltd and an Academic Supervisor and Academic Lead from the University of Derby to help you deliver. A personal training and development budget will also be available for you to access, as well as receiving access to the same training opportunities and facilities as University staff.
This is an exciting career development opportunity to deliver a high-impact project, working with academic experts and industry professionals and gaining hands-on experience in deploying advanced AI solutions within a real-world engineering consultancy environment.
Contract: Fixed-term contract for 24 months.
About You: We are looking for a talented and driven individual with experience delivering end-to-end AI and data-driven solutions in real-world operational environments, with a clear focus on achieving measurable impact. You will bring strong experience in building and optimising scalable data pipelines using Python and SQL, managing the full data lifecycle from ingestion through to processing and validation. You will also have hands-on experience applying machine learning and computer vision techniques, such as detection, classification, segmentation, and anomaly detection, to solve complex, real-world challenges.
You will work both independently and as part of multidisciplinary teams, bringing a practical, solutions-focused mindset. Strong communication skills are essential, with the ability to clearly present complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
About Us: We have one simple promise to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better. The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.
We have some of the best university facilities in the UK, achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research, and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 making us one of the top universities in the country, recognised for our outstanding student experience and outcomes. Financially strong and seriously ambitious, we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career, with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.
For further information and to apply, please visit our website via the Apply button. Closing date: Sunday, 5 July 2026. Interview date: Tuesday, 21 July 2026. This role may be eligible for sponsorship by the University.
The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, regardless of age, disability, trans status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex and sexual orientation.
AI, Computer Vision & Digital Twin Engineer employer: University of Derby
The University of Derby, in collaboration with Saith Ltd, offers a dynamic and supportive work environment for the AI, Computer Vision & Digital Twin Engineer role. Employees benefit from a strong focus on professional development, access to cutting-edge resources, and the opportunity to work on impactful projects that bridge academia and industry. With a commitment to staff wellbeing and an inclusive culture, this position not only promises career growth but also the chance to contribute to innovative solutions in the energy and utility sectors.
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We think you need these skills to ace AI, Computer Vision & Digital Twin Engineer
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