AI Engineer

SR2 Clean Energy; Remote; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A high-growth technology company in the UK is looking for a Senior / Lead AI Engineer to act as a technical bridge between its backend platform and AI function. This hands-on role involves designing and delivering AI features, maintaining integration patterns, and providing technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams. The ideal candidate has extensive experience with PHP/Laravel, Python, and AI systems. Preference for candidates near London for occasional in-person collaboration. Open to permanent hires or experienced contractors.

Qualifications

• Strong software engineering background with several years of PHP and Laravel experience.
• Practical experience with AI systems, including LLMs and prompt engineering.
• Solid Python experience and ability to work with AI/ML codebases.
• Experience deploying production systems and working with CI/CD pipelines.
• Comfortable leading workstreams and delivering through ambiguity.

Responsibilities

• Acting as the technical link between a PHP/Laravel platform and Python-based AI services.
• Designing and delivering AI-enabled features from prototype to production.
• Implementing and maintaining integration patterns between backend systems and AI components.
• Defining best practices for AI-native development and deployment.
• Providing technical leadership and mentoring across teams.

Skills

Software engineering

PHP/Laravel

AI systems

Python

AWS or equivalent

CI/CD

Communication skills

Job description

Senior / Lead AI Engineer – AI-First Product Platform Tech4Good
Location: Remote-first (UK) | London preferred
Salary: Negotiable

Engagement: Permanent preferred (contractors also considered)
I'm working with a high-growth, product-led technology company that is embedding AI at the core of its platform rather than treating it as an add-on. They already operate a mature, production system and are now scaling their AI capability across real customer workflows.

They're looking to hire a Senior / Lead AI Engineer who can operate as a technical bridge between a core backend platform and an AI engineering function, owning delivery from early design through to production.

This is a hands‑on role with genuine technical ownership and influence.

The Role You'll sit at the intersection of core product engineering and AI delivery, working closely with backend engineers, AI specialists and senior stakeholders.

Key responsibilities include:

• Acting as the technical link between a PHP/Laravel platform and Python-based AI services
• Designing and delivering AI-enabled features end‑to‑end (prototype → production)
• Implementing and maintaining integration patterns between backend systems and AI/LLM components
• Defining best practices for AI-native development, CI/CD and deployment
• Taking ownership of ambiguous requirements and driving them to delivery
• Providing technical leadership, mentoring and coordination across teams

Required Experience:

• Strong software engineering background with several years of PHP and Laravel experience
• Practical, hands‑on experience with AI systems, including LLMs and prompt engineering
• Solid Python experience and the ability to work directly with AI/ML codebases
• Experience deploying production systems (AWS or equivalent) and working with CI/CD pipelines
• Comfortable leading workstreams, making decisions and delivering through ambiguity
• Strong communication skills and experience working across multidisciplinary teams

Desirable Experience:

• Exposure to managed ML platforms (e.g. SageMaker or similar)
• Previous experience in a lead or coordinating role bridging platform and AI teams
• Familiarity with modern frontend frameworks (e.g. Next.js)

Working Pattern:

• Remote‑first role (approximately 80–90% remote)
• Preference for candidates based in or near London for periodic in‑person collaboration
• Occasional visits to a secondary UK office
• Open to both permanent hires and experienced contractors