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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI development, mentor a team, and architect scalable solutions.
- Company: Join Virgin Media O2, the UK's fastest broadband network and beloved mobile brand.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive rewards package, flexible working, and a culture of inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in AI while shaping the future of mobile technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in AI development, mobile networks, and leadership skills required.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview of the AI Tech Lead - Mobile role to join our Technology Transformation team.
Location: Birmingham, London, Peterborough, Reading.
Job Family: Digital & Technology.
Job Type: Full Time.
Posted Date: 06-Feb-2026.
Ref #: 71445.
We have an exciting new role for an AI Tech Lead - Mobile to join our Technology Transformation team.
Responsibilities & Accountabilities
- Technical Leadership: Provide expert technical guidance, mentorship, and leadership to the AI development team. Ensure alignment to best practices and maintain high-quality code standards.
- AI Solution Development: Lead the design, development, testing, and deployment of AI-powered products and solutions, applying open-source language models and AI frameworks.
- Code Review: Conduct regular code reviews to ensure code quality, adherence to coding standards, and seek opportunities for improvement. Ensure compliance with CI/CD practices and security measures.
- Team Leadership: Manage a team of skilled AI developers, providing guidance, feedback, and technical assistance as needed. Act as the primary technical escalation point for major incidents related to AI solutions.
- Solution Scalability and Reliability: Architect AI platforms for scalability, reliability, and performance. Select and implement appropriate technology stacks for AI development.
- Cross-Team Collaboration: Identify cross-product and cross-team dependencies and work with relevant partners to address them. Facilitate decision-making processes and ensure alignment with Agile and DevOps values.
- AI Technology Evaluation: Stay updated with the latest advancements in AI and open-source technologies. Provide vision and strategy for using AI tools and frameworks for network modernization.
- Technical Chapter Leadership: Act as the Technical Chapter lead for AI, automation, data science, and disseminate best practices across the squads.
Who we are
The UK’s fastest broadband network. The nation’s best-loved mobile brand. And, one of the UK's biggest companies too. We put our customers first, making life simpler, smoother, and more joyful. With big ambitions and a brilliant team, we’re building a more connected future for everyone.
Our ways of working
We’re a flexible-first organisation, because we know people do their best work when they have choice and clarity. To support meaningful collaboration, we ask everyone to spend at least eight days each month connecting in person. That doesn’t just mean time in the office, it could be team meetings, offsites, volunteering days, cross-functional projects, or away days - anywhere meaningful collaboration happens. What matters is making those moments purposeful, so when we come together, it really counts.
Accessible, inclusive and equitable for all
Virgin Media O2 is an equal opportunities employer and we’re working hard to remove bias and barriers for our people and candidates. So, we build equity and inclusion into everything we do, from the policies we craft to the relationships we shape. We support and encourage you to be your authentic self throughout your application journey with us.
The must haves
- Hands-on practical experience as a Senior AI Developer or Tech Lead with a track record of growing tech talent.
- Strong mobile network background, with hands-on experience in 5G Core, 4G EPC, RAN/Open RAN/vRAN, network slicing, VoLTE, and mobile service.
- Experience with open-source language models like Llama 2, Hugging Face or similar tool.
- Proficiency in SQL scripting and SQL queries.
- Familiarity with cloud platforms ideally GCP or similar (Azure, AWS etc).
The other stuff we are looking for
- Previous experience in software development and proven leadership skills.
- A working knowledge of mobile networking technologies would be advantageous.
- Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Go, YAML, or similar.
- Knowledge of AI frameworks, libraries, and tools.
- Experienced in DevOps, including test automation, CI/CD, and source control.
- Experience of containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and network orchestration (Cisco NSO, Itential IAP).
What’s in it for you
Our goal is to celebrate our people, their lives and everything in-between. We aim to create a culture that empowers everyone to bring the best versions of themselves to work each and every day. We believe the most inclusive and diverse culture makes for a better business and a brighter world. Working at Virgin Media O2, you get a bumper reward package bursting with benefits, and loads of extras you can add if you’d like to. These are designed to support both you and your loved ones, making sure that you’re covered no matter what life throws your way.
Next steps
If we feel like a place where you can belong, we’d love to learn more about you as a person and your experience to date. Once you’ve submitted an application the next steps of the process, if successful, are likely to include a technical and competency interview. When you apply, you’ll be asked about any adjustments you might need to support the recruitment process. Let us know, and we’ll be sure to discuss it with you. Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert, therefore we may bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as possible. If you’re offered a job with us, it will be conditional, based on the passing of background checks. All roles require a criminal record check and some roles need a financial probity check. Your recruiter can provide you with more information if needed. Thanks for your patience and for showing an interest in joining the Virgin Media O2 family.
AI Technical Lead - Mobile in Reading employer: Virgin Media O2
Contact Detail:
Virgin Media O2 Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land AI Technical Lead - Mobile in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the industry. Attend meetups, tech conferences, or even local events. You never know who might be looking for someone just like you!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your AI projects, especially those involving mobile tech. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Brush up on your technical knowledge and be ready to discuss your experience with AI frameworks and mobile networks. Practice common interview questions and have your own ready to ask too!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our awesome team at Virgin Media O2.
We think you need these skills to ace AI Technical Lead - Mobile in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Technical Skills: Make sure to highlight your hands-on experience with AI development and mobile networks. We want to see how you've led teams and tackled challenges in your previous roles, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your Application: Take a moment to customise your CV and cover letter for the AI Tech Lead role. Use keywords from the job description to show us you understand what we're looking for and how you fit the bill.
Be Authentic: We value authenticity, so let your personality shine through in your application. Share your journey, your passion for AI, and what makes you excited about this opportunity with us.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and get back to you quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Virgin Media O2
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest AI frameworks and mobile network technologies. Brush up on your experience with open-source language models like Llama 2 and Hugging Face, as well as your knowledge of 5G Core and network slicing. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re the right fit for the AI Tech Lead role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Think about times when you provided mentorship or technical guidance to junior developers. Highlighting your ability to manage a team and foster talent will resonate well with the interviewers, especially since they’re looking for someone who can grow tech talent.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Be ready to tackle hypothetical scenarios related to AI solution development and code reviews. Practice articulating your thought process on how you would approach challenges in scalability, reliability, and performance. This will showcase your critical thinking skills and your readiness to act as a technical escalation point.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Communication
Since the role involves cross-team collaboration, prepare to discuss how you’ve worked with different teams in the past. Share specific examples of how you facilitated decision-making processes and ensured alignment with Agile and DevOps values. This will demonstrate your ability to work effectively in a flexible-first organisation.
