Head of Engineering (Machine Learning & AI Platform)

Head of Engineering (Machine Learning & AI Platform)

Remote (UK-Based)

Salary: £110,000–£130,000

We’re partnering with a global, multi-billion-pound insights and analytics organisation on a major AI transformation programme. This is a rare opportunity to take on a foundational leadership role, building and scaling a modern ML engineering capability from the ground up.

This is not a BAU leadership hire. You’ll be the founding engineering leader, responsible for establishing the team, culture, and technical direction to deliver production-grade AI solutions at scale. The focus is firmly on productising machine learning, turning cutting-edge models into real, revenue-generating products used globally.

The Opportunity

You’ll lead the build-out of a new ML and platform engineering function, taking early-stage AI initiatives and turning them into scalable, robust products. Working closely with senior stakeholders, you’ll have high visibility across the organisation and play a key role in shaping its long-term AI capability.

This is a hands-on leadership role where pragmatism, pace, and impact are valued over perfection.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Build and lead the engineering function from the ground up, hiring and scaling a high-performing team (ML, platform, and frontend engineers)
• Own the end-to-end delivery of ML-powered products, from development through to scalable deployment
• Drive the productisation of machine learning solutions, not just experimentation or prototyping
• Establish best practices across MLOps, model lifecycle management, and platform engineering
• Make key architectural decisions across a GCP / Vertex AI environment
• Work closely with senior stakeholders to align engineering delivery with commercial priorities
• Foster a pragmatic, delivery-focused engineering culture centred on quality, speed, and real-world impact

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience leading small, high-performing engineering or ML teams
• Strong background in:
• MLOps and ML platform engineering
• Deploying and scaling ML solutions in production environments
• Hands-on technical capability, including:
• Python
• GCP (essential), ideally Vertex AI
• Frameworks such as PyTorch
• Solid grounding in machine learning fundamentals and theory
• Comfortable operating as a player-coach: strategic leadership combined with hands-on contribution
• Experience building in environments that prioritise delivery and impact over rigid process

Key Traits for Success

• Pragmatism over perfection – focused on shipping value, not over-engineering
• Comfortable outside of “big tech” environments – adaptable, outcome-driven mindset
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability in an ambiguous, build-phase setting

Why This Role?

• Build from Scratch: A genuine opportunity to create and shape a new engineering function
• High Visibility: Work closely with senior leadership in a globally recognised organisation
• Real Impact: Deliver AI solutions that directly drive commercial outcomes—not just R&D
• Modern Tech Stack: Fully committed to GCP / Vertex AI with a clear long-term investment in AI
• Career-Defining Role: Position yourself as a key engineering leader within a global business

? If you’re a hands-on engineering leader who thrives on building teams, shipping impactful ML products, and operating in high-visibility environments, we’d love to speak with you confidentially.