AI Engineer Apprentice

QA Ltd; Pontefract; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm in the UK is seeking an AI Engineer Apprentice to work on innovative projects and gain a formal qualification. The ideal candidate should have a solid foundation in AI and Machine Learning, strong programming skills in Python, and the motivation to apply their knowledge in a dynamic environment. This apprenticeship offers unique opportunities including mentorship and practical experience in cutting-edge AI applications.

Benefits

Fully funded qualification

Mentorship from experienced professionals

Flexible working environment

Experience with leading clients

Qualifications

• Graduate or undergraduate in Computer Science, AI, Data Science, or related fields.
• Self-taught AI/ML practitioner.
• Early-career technologist seeking formal qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Support the design and testing of AI-driven solutions.
• Conduct applied research into LLMs and speech technologies.
• Translate user needs into technical experiments.

Skills

Strong foundation in AI/ML

Proficiency in Python

Familiarity with LLM APIs

Understanding of agentic AI frameworks

Motivated and driven

Education

Two A-levels in related subjects

International Baccalaureate at Level 3

Bachelor's degree in a numerate discipline

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Job description

As a leading supplier of technology-driven marketing solutions, we partner with some of the UK's biggest names across retail and hospitality sectors. We are committed to delivering innovative end-to-end print solutions that empower big brands. As we expand our capabilities in artificial intelligence, we are seeking a forward-thinking AI Engineer Apprentice to join our team. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge projects while gaining a formal qualification through a government-approved apprenticeship programme., You will study part-time towards the AI Level 6 qualification while working on live projects. We're looking for someone with a solid technical foundation in AI and Machine Learning whether gained through academic study, self-learning, or hands-on experience who is ready to apply their skills in a dynamic, real-world environment. You'll be involved in strategic areas of applied AI, including:

Strategic areas of applied AI

• Agentic AI for process optimisation
• Research and prototype autonomous AI agents to enhance workflow efficiency
• Explore orchestration frameworks (e.g. LangChain, CrewAI, OpenAI Assistants)
• Design intelligent tools to support high-volume or time-critical operations
• Real-time accessibility
• Develop live captioning and transcription systems to support inclusive services
• Work with ASR technologies (e.g. Whisper, Deepgram, Google Speech API)
• Address challenges like low-latency transcription and speaker diarisation

Responsibilities

• Support the design and testing of AI-driven solutions across client and internal projects
• Conduct applied research into LLMs, agentic AI, speech technologies, and more
• Translate user needs into technical experiments and prototypes
• Contribute to codebases, documentation, and testing efforts
• Participate in workshops and stakeholder engagements
• Apply academic learning to practical project work

You may be

• A graduate or undergraduate in Computer Science, AI, Data Science, or related fields
• A self-taught AI/ML practitioner with relevant projects
• An early‑career technologist seeking formal qualifications and impactful work

Essential skills

• Strong foundation in AI/ML (e.g. neural networks, NLP, transformers)
• Proficiency in Python and ML frameworks (e.g. PyTorch, TensorFlow)
• Familiarity with LLM APIs and open‑source models (e.g. GPT, Claude, Whisper)
• Understanding of agentic AI frameworks (e.g. LangChain, AutoGen)
• A passionate, motivated and driven person

Desirable skills

• Experience with ASR or captioning tools
• Knowledge of accessibility standards (e.g. WCAG)
• Exposure to cloud platforms (e.g. AWS, Azure)
• Experience in client-facing roles or service delivery

Entry requirements

• Two A-levels in one or more similar subject plus B in A-Level maths.
• Two A-levels in one or more similar subject plus 2-years work experience in tech.
• Level 4 or 5 apprenticeship in a similar technical subject.
• International Baccalaureate at Level 3 in a similar subject.
• 3+ years in a similar subject-related role.
• A first degree in a numerate discipline (but excluding Computer Science as not fundable).

You may also have a combination of qualifications and experience which demonstrate the minimum foundation needed for the programme. In this instance you could still be considered for the programme. If you hold international equivalents of the above qualifications, at the time of your application you must be able to provide an official document that states how your international qualifications compare to the UK qualifications.

Benefits

• A fully funded qualification through a recognised UK apprenticeship programme
• Experience working with leading clients in media and creative sectors
• Mentorship from experienced professionals
• A flexible and inclusive working environment
• Opportunities to work on projects that combine advanced technology with real-world impact

90% of QA apprentices secure permanent employment after completing: this is 20% higher than the national average.

About QA

Our apprenticeships are the perfect way to gain new skills, earn while you learn, and launch yourself into an exciting future. With over 50,000 successful apprenticeship graduates, we're a top 50 training provider, dedicated to helping you succeed.