Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Engineer (KTP Associate Position)

The University of Salford; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Personal development budget

9-day fortnight option

Company pension scheme

Wellbeing support

Job summary

The University of Salford, in collaboration with R&B Switchgear Services Ltd, invites applications for a Knowledge Transfer Partnership Associate. You will develop AI technologies to analyse engineering data across visual and text sources, combining vision, NLP and LLMs to support operational improvements.

Ideal candidates have a 2:1 degree in CS/AI/ML and hands-on ML experience, with an interest in safe AI and deployment in regulated environments.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2.1 BEng/BSc in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Machine Learning or related subject.
• Experience applying machine learning techniques to real-world problems.
• Experience in computer vision, natural language processing and large language models.
• Experience developing, testing and deploying machine learning models.
• Understanding of data engineering, software development and AI deployment practices.
• Experience of Safe AI, cybersecurity or regulated environments would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop and embed advanced AI technologies to analyse engineering information from visual and text sources.
• Combine computer vision, NLP and large language models for streamlined operations.
• Develop safe AI systems for safety-critical environments.
• Train and evaluate ML models on multimodal datasets; ensure accurate, transparent outputs.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations and leadership; communicate complex concepts to non-technical audiences.

Skills

Machine learning

Computer vision

NLP

Large language models

Data engineering

Software development

AI deployment

Safe AI

Education

2.1 BEng/BSc in CS/AI/Data Science / ML or related

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning graduate to fast-track their career development as a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associate. The successful candidate will undertake a 36-month collaborative project between R&B Switchgear Services Ltd and the University of Salford. R&B Switchgear is a UK manufacturer and service provider specialising in low-voltage switchgear and power distribution systems, serving sectors including healthcare, marine, renewables, utilities and data centres.

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership scheme is one of the UK's largest graduate recruitment schemes (http://ktp.innovateuk.org/) and is a three-way collaborative project between the Associate, the company and the knowledge base. It provides an opportunity for the successful applicant to manage a challenging project central to the company’s strategic development and long-term growth.

This opportunity may close early depending on application volumes.

What will you be doing?

This project presents a significant technical challenge, offering substantial opportunities for technical, commercial, leadership and professional development.

You will be responsible for developing and embedding advanced artificial intelligence technologies capable of analysing complex engineering information across visual and text-based sources. This will involve combining computer vision, natural language processing and large language models to streamline time-intensive engineering and operational activities.

A key challenge will be developing safe AI systems capable of operating within safety-critical engineering environments. You will work with complex multimodal datasets, train and evaluate machine learning models and ensure AI outputs are accurate, transparent and trusted by engineering teams.

You will manage a strategically important innovation project and work closely with engineering, operational, IT and leadership teams. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills will be essential, as you will be required to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences and support the adoption of AI technologies across the business.

Who are we looking for?

• A graduate with a minimum 2.1 BEng/BSc in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Machine Learning or a related subject.
• Knowledge and demonstrable experience applying machine learning techniques to real-world problems.
• Experience in computer vision, natural language processing and large language models.
• Experience of developing, testing and deploying machine learning models.
• Understanding of data engineering, software development and AI deployment practices.
• Experience of Safe AI, cybersecurity or regulated environments would be advantageous.

Additional added benefits

To facilitate professional development, the successful candidate will receive extensive practical and formal training, gain highly desirable specialist business skills, broaden knowledge and expertise within an industrially relevant project, and gain valuable experience from their industry and academic mentors. The KTP Associate will also benefit from a Personal Development Budget of £6,000 (over and above their salary).

As part of the wider R&B Switchgear Group, the Associate will also have access to a comprehensive employee benefits package designed to support wellbeing, work-life balance and long-term development. This includes an optional 9-day fortnight, providing a four-day week every other week, annual pay reviews and bonus opportunities, a one-week Christmas shutdown, company pension scheme, family-friendly policies, occupational health and GP support, an employee referral scheme, paid sick leave, paid paternity leave and wellbeing support.