Data Lead - AI and Automation Information Technology - Smiths Group - Birmingham

Smiths Group plc; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Smiths Group plc in Birmingham is looking for a dynamic individual to design, deliver, and support Data, AI, and automation solutions. In this role, you will establish effective data management policies and provide technical leadership across data architecture.

The ideal candidate is educated to degree level and proficient in programming languages like Python, Java, and R, with experience in AI, machine learning, and data sciences. You will also have excellent communication skills and thrive in a diverse team environment.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of AI frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Design, deliver, and support Data, AI, and automation solutions.
• Provide technical and business leadership across data architecture.
• Establish and maintain effective data management policies.

Skills

Python

Java

R

Machine learning

Deep learning

NLP

Computer vision

SQL

PowerBi

Tableau

Hadoop

Spark

Education

Degree level or equivalent

Tools

Azure SQL Database

Databricks

Data Lake

Azure Analysis Services

Job description

Responsibilities

• Design, deliver, and support Data, AI, and automation solutions, including analytics, models, dashboards, and related platforms.
• Own the roadmap for trusted data foundations across BIS and divisions, covering master/reference data, data quality, governance, cataloguing, traceability, and access controls.
• Provide technical and business leadership across data architecture, integration, visualisation, and emerging AI technologies, ensuring solutions are scalable, secure, and aligned to business needs.
• Establish and maintain effective data management policies, standards, and operational controls, including code promotion, platform administration, performance monitoring, and compliance with company and legal requirements.
• Partner with divisional and business stakeholders to shape requirements, resolve data issues, and enable adoption through documentation, training, and user support.
• Support team effectiveness through mentoring, workload and capacity visibility, regular reporting, and leadership of team engagement activities.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
• Experience with machine learning, deep learning, NLP, and computer vision.
• Proficiency in Python, Java, and R.
• Strong knowledge of AI frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch.
• Experience in Data Science techniques and methodologies.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and ability to work in a team environment.
• Thorough and proven understanding of the principles of data security, management, and administration.
• Proficient at digesting and analysing large amounts of data.
• Excellent understanding of data administration and management functions (collection, analysis, distribution, etc.).
• Experience in working with offshore and onshore support model.
• Experience in working with information technology.
• Experience in BI tools (PowerBi, OBIEE, Tableau, QlickView, etc.).
• Good knowledge of SQL language and simple analysis techniques to profile data.
• Technical experience and knowledge in On‑Premise and Public Cloud Data Services focused on database architecture, ETL, data mining, business intelligence, big data, data governance, data quality, and data cleansing.
• Experience with Microsoft Azure (a plus): Azure SQL Database, Analysis Services, Databricks, Data Lake, Logic Apps and Data Factory.
• Understanding of big data technologies (Hadoop, Spark).
• Able to create rich visualisations that appropriately represent the underlying datasets.
• Review and align the reporting attributes against the enterprise and conceptual data models.
• Business functional knowledge – able to work with Business SMEs to relate the process to the underlying data.
• ERP experience and implementations (nice to have).
• Excellent organisational and project management skills.
• Passionate and curious about new technology and the tech industry.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact at all levels within the Smiths Group.
• General understanding of PaaS concepts – ideally in MS‑Azure.
• Cloud BI experience could be an asset.

Diversity & Inclusion

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.