AI Data Scientist

Tesco UK; Welwyn Garden City; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company in Welwyn Garden City is looking for an AI Data Scientist to develop intelligent systems leveraging large language models. In this hands-on role, you will design scalable AI solutions and collaborate with stakeholders to address real business challenges. The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of LLM architectures and practical experience in their application. Join a team that values continuous learning and innovation in a culture that promotes inclusion and work-life balance.

Benefits

Continuous learning opportunities

Flexible working patterns

Collaborative and inclusive environment

Qualifications

• Experience with managing context windows effectively in LLMs.
• Experience in implementing safety guardrails and alignment techniques.
• Ability to decompose complex tasks into model-friendly components.

Responsibilities

• Design AI systems that are technically sound, scalable, and safe.
• Collaborate closely with stakeholders to understand their needs.
• Shape the application of agentic AI across different areas.

Skills

Broad understanding of LLM architectures

Practical experience applying LLMs

Strong experience in evaluating data pipelines

Familiarity with AI evaluation methods

Ability to make decisions grounded in technical understanding

Pragmatic approach to experimentation

Job description

Overview

At Tesco, our Data Science team builds scalable solutions to complex business challenges across stores, online, supply chain, marketing and Clubcard. We apply advanced machine learning, generative AI, and large language models (LLMs) to personalise customer experiences, optimise operations and drive innovation. We work across several business domains, including customer experience, online, fulfilment, distribution, commodities, store operations and technology. Team members rotate across domains to broaden their expertise and impact.

We foster a culture of continuous learning, dedicating 10% of the working week to personal development. Our team benefits from academic partnerships, regular knowledge‑sharing events and a collaborative, inclusive environment that values work‑life balance and professional growth.

Role

We are seeking an AI Data Scientist to help build intelligent systems that go beyond prediction—systems that can reason, act, and adapt to real‑world challenges. This is a hands‑on role where you will work across the full lifecycle of AI projects, using large language models (LLMs) and agentic AI techniques to develop practical solutions for business problems.

You will design AI systems that are technically sound, scalable, and safe, while keeping business constraints in mind. Collaboration is key—you’ll work closely with stakeholders to understand their needs and translate them into effective AI solutions. Clear communication is essential, whether you're documenting your work, presenting results to non‑technical audiences, or supporting product managers and lead scientists.

A core part of the role involves shaping how agentic AI is applied across different areas, ensuring systems can make decisions independently while staying within safe and defined boundaries.

You’ll join a team that values curiosity, practical thinking, and continuous learning. There will also be opportunities to share your work with the broader AI community.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

• Broad understanding of LLM architectures, training methodologies, and usage patterns.
• Practical experience applying LLMs, including: managing context windows effectively; selecting appropriate models for specific tasks; implementing safety guardrails and alignment techniques; decomposing complex tasks into model‑friendly components.
• Strong experience in evaluating and validating data pipelines and ML systems.
• Familiarity with AI‑specific evaluation methods, including both quantitative metrics and qualitative assessments.
• Ability to make well‑reasoned decisions grounded in technical understanding and real‑world constraints.
• Pragmatic approach to experimentation and solution design.

Values

• Actively engaged in learning and staying current with developments in AI and machine learning.
• Curious, adaptable, and committed to continuous improvement.
• Focused on delivering practical, scalable, and responsible AI solutions.

Commitment to Inclusion & Accessibility

Our vision at Tesco is to become every customer’s favourite way to shop, whether they are at home or out on the move. Our core purpose is ‘Serving our customers, communities and planet a little better every day’. Serving means more than a transactional relationship with our customers. It means acting as a responsible and sustainable business for all stakeholders, for the communities we are part of and for the planet. We are proud to have an inclusive culture where everyone truly feels able to be themselves. At Tesco, we not only celebrate diversity, but recognise the value and opportunity it brings. We’re committed to creating a workplace where differences are valued and to ensuring that all colleagues are given the same opportunities. We’re proud to have been accredited Disability Confident Leader and we’re committed to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process.

Work Environment & Flexibility

We’re a big business and we can offer a range of diverse full‑time & part‑time working patterns across our many business areas, which means that we can find something that works for you. We work in a more blended pattern—combining office and remote working. Our offices will continue to be where we connect, collaborate and innovate. If you are applying internally, please speak to the Hiring Manager about how this can work for you – everyone is welcome at Tesco.