Principal AI Engineer (Databricks) - UK

Datapao; Remote; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading data engineering company is seeking a Principal AI Engineer to join remotely in the UK. This pivotal role involves leading data architecture and ML projects for clients, particularly in collaboration with Databricks. Ideal candidates will have over 5 years in data science, strong skills in cloud platforms, and proven experience with Databricks tools. The position offers remote flexibility, competitive salary ranging from £70,000 to £100,000 per year, and significant growth opportunities within the organization.

Benefits

Flexible PTO days

4 weeks of paternity leave

World-class educational benefits

Comprehensive health insurance

Top-notch working equipment

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience as a Data Scientist, focusing on cloud platforms.
• Proven track record working with Databricks.
• Strong Python knowledge of common DS libraries.
• Excellent communication skills for client interactions.

Responsibilities

• Lead project planning phases and design high-level architecture.
• Deliver ML/DS consultancy to technical teams in EMEA.
• Conduct workshops to enable clients on Databricks and cloud features.

Skills

Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)

Databricks (PySpark, SQL, Delta Lake, Unity Catalog)

Machine Learning knowledge

Python programming

MLOps proficiency

Data visualization tools

Education

5+ years as a Data Scientist

Tools

Deep learning frameworks

Spark

Job description

We are currently looking for a Principal AI Engineer to join us remotely in the UK. As we build out our UK hub to support our GTM strategy, this role will be our first AI Engineer hire, complementing the data engineering and sales teams we already have in place. In this role, you will work with our EMEA and US customers to help them solve their data architecture, ML, ML Ops, GenAI and cloud migration puzzles.

What (exactly) will you do?

As a Principal AI Engineer, your responsibilities will span across the following dimensions:

Project Planning & Delivery

In the planning phase of a project, you're expected to lead or participate in scoping the engagement, designing high-level architecture, defining subtasks, and project delivery schedules. After the planning phase is over, you'll deliver the project on your own or within a mixed DS/DE team setup where you'll oftentimes take the role of a technical lead. Furthermore, during the project delivery, you will be client-facing, acting as DATAPAO's interface or SPOC to our customers.

During non-delivery cycles, you will provide ML/DS consultancy to technical teams for our EMEA customers. Our customers are either direct DATAPAO customers or coming via our Databricks partnership.

Data Science & AI consultancy

As a consultant, you will work closely with Databricks and cloud providers to understand the needs and requirements of clients. Based on your understanding, you will recommend solutions that leverage Databricks or native cloud features. Additionally, you will be responsible for conducting workshops to enable clients on these platforms.

You are to spearhead Machine Learning and (generative) AI projects in the Databricks platform, using the latest technologies to deliver real business impact for our top customers.

What does it take to fit the bill?

Technical Expertise

You (ideally) have 5+ years of experience as a Data Scientist, with a focus on cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP);

You have a proven track record working with Databricks (PySpark, SQL, Delta Lake, Unity Catalog);

You have a good understanding of Large Language Models (LLMs), and you are familiar with their frameworks/libraries;

You have strong Python knowledge of the most common DS libraries;

Proficiency with MLOps;

You have good knowledge of data visualization tools/libraries;

[BONUS] You are proficient in any deep learning framework;

[BONUS] Experience with distributed computing, preferably Spark.

Consulting & Client-Facing Skills

• Ideally, you bring a proven history in consulting, from scoping to gathering requirements, designing solutions, and communicating effectively with stakeholders. If you bring a product company background with you, that's also fine as long as you can show a good consulting mindset and desire to be customer-facing;

You’ve successfully delivered projects like end-to-end, fully automated ML solutions, or production-ready Generative AI applications in Databricks;

You excel in explaining technical concepts to non-technical audiences and drive decision‑making.

Operational Readiness & Soft Skills

You’re (almost) ready to hit the ground running, immediately contributing to live client projects;

In a fast‑paced consulting environment, where no two days are the same, flexibility and problem‑solving comes naturally to you. Furthermore, resilience and thriving on challenges are essential traits in our industry;

• Your communication skills are on point—whether you’re writing, speaking, or collaborating with stakeholders, you know how to keep everyone in the loop.

What do we offer?

You’ll have the rare opportunity to join DATAPAO at a time when you can still meaningfully impact our growth trajectory and organizational success. Furthermore as our first AI Engineer hire in the UK, you’ll also get to spearhead our regional expansion.

Surely, we know everyone needs a little something to do their best work. Here is a list of some other extras we offer:

The chance to work remotely - as we don't have a physical office in the UK yet, we offer a fully remote setup for the time being. However, given our strong community emphasis, we'd expect you to spend one month in our Budapest hub during onboarding and visit the office for one week every quarter;

World‑class educational benefits - there’s no shortage of learning opportunities at DATAPAO, meaning that you'll get access to Databricks' public and internal courses to learn all the tricks of Distributed Data Processing, MLOps, Apache Spark, Databricks, and Cloud Migration from the best. Additionally, we'll pay for various data & cloud certifications, you'll get dedicated time for learning during work hours, and access to our internal library;

Flexible PTO days - we’re flexible with how many days you take off if that does not conflict with customer success and the work getting done;

4 weeks of paternity leave - because we think it’s important for both parents to be there when it matters the most;

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - life always happens! And we'd like to be there for you when it counts the most. Through EAP, we offer our employees access to psychology, financial, and legal consulting services via phone or in person;

Pension scheme enrollment and a comprehensive private health insurance plan - offered via our EOR (Employer of Record) provider, Remote.com. Remote will be your official employer in the UK for the foreseeable future until we establish our own legal entity in the UK;

Top‑notch working equipment - working comfortably means working well. You will get a MacBook Pro, a phone, and a sign‑up bonus of 500 GBP gross (to be paid with your first payroll) to set up your home office or whatever else is needed to give your best;

The chance to make an impact in a high‑transparency culture - open feedback and no politics are things we value a lot at DATAPAO. Additionally, you'll get the chance to work in the field of data & AI and shape the future of a rapidly growing tech company.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Given that we are still sorting our ways out in the UK, this list will likely get an update in the following months, and we're also committed to growing it with us over time.

The gross salary for this position ranges from 70.000 to 100.000 GBP/year, depending on your assessed seniority level during the selection process.

Please note that currently we are unable to support transfer or offer full sponsorship for Skilled Worker visas as we’re just setting foot into the UK.

Want to know more about us?

DATAPAO is a data engineering and AI company that covers the entire data transformation from architecture to implementation. Beyond delivering solutions, we also provide data and AI training and enablement.

We are backed by Databricks - the creators of Apache Spark, and act as a delivery partner and training provider for them in Europe. Additionally, we are Microsoft Gold Partners in delivering cloud migration and data architecture on Azure. Our delivery partnerships enable us to work in a wide range of industries and with some of the most prominent global companies, such as Norsk-Hydro, Richter, Bayer, Schufa, GetYourGuide, TechnoAlpin, and Logically, to name just a few.

As a training provider, we deliver onsite and online courses globally for Databricks and on our own. We have been teaching professionals at Apple, Amazon, Uber, Microsoft, T‑Mobile, GE, Ericsson, and many more to improve their impact with data.

For even more insights, check the links below:

You can also follow us on LinkedIn for all the good stuff or just hit our recruitment team at [e-mail]

We’re firm believers in scaling up a team without judgment or prejudice. What we really care about is working with the best people out there, no matter their background. And you should also not worry if you don't tick every box in the requirements. If you’re passionate about data and learning new things, you’ll fit right in, and we'd love to hear back from you.

When we hear back from you, we'd like you to know that we are committed to your privacy and keeping your data safe. We do not share your data with any third parties (except the ones we use to run our recruitment process) and keep your application for two years unless you ask us otherwise. We use your data solely for recruitment purposes, such as letting you know about new career opportunities at DATAPAO and/or managing your application. But if you want to know more about how we store and manage your data, check our privacy policy .

Enjoy your application journey!