Senior AI Engineer

firstcentral; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

1st Central is seeking two Senior AI Engineers to lead design, development and deployment of advanced AI and Generative AI solutions. The role focuses on Azure OpenAI, Cognitive Services, RAG patterns, and secure, scalable AI environments.

You will collaborate with Data Science, Software Engineering, Data Engineering and Enterprise Architecture teams to deliver end-to-end AI capabilities, from concept through production, monitoring and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Proven experience designing and deploying production-grade AI systems.
• Experience with cloud-based AI, Cognitive Services, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) architectures.
• Strong API integration experience and a track record delivering scalable AI solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement scalable AI and Generative AI solutions using Azure OpenAI, Cognitive Services, RAG patterns and API-based integrations.
• Integrate and configure agentic AI components enabling autonomous task planning, tool-use, and reasoning workflows.
• Develop memory structures, action-loop orchestration, tool integration and multi-agent coordination for robust AI systems.
• Build secure, auditable AI systems leveraging Azure networking, infrastructure and cloud engineering best practices.
• Create and maintain CI/CD pipelines in Azure DevOps for automated deployment, versioning and operationalisation of AI services.
• Develop automated testing, validation and monitoring frameworks to ensure AI model performance and reliability.
• Establish best practices for AI data pipelines, MLOps/AIOps, cloud infrastructure alignment and scalable architecture design.
• Collaborate with Data Science, Data Engineering, Software Engineering and Enterprise Architecture teams to deliver end-to-end AI solutions.
• Engage business stakeholders to identify opportunities and translate strategic needs into practical AI solutions.
• Promote AI capability through training, mentoring, knowledge-sharing and fostering innovation.
• Ensure compliance with Group Code of Conduct and regulatory standards.

Skills

Python

AI frameworks

Communication

Time management

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Tools

LangChain

Azure OpenAI

Cognitive Services

RAG

API integration

Azure DevOps

Job description

At 1st Central, everything starts with our people. As one of the UK's leading motor and home insurers, we use smart technology, data and great service to make insurance fast, fair and simple for over 1.4 million customers. We're proud to create an environment where people feel supported, trusted and able to grow - whether that's developing new skills, taking on fresh challenges or making a real impact every day. If you're looking for a role where you can make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

We're on the lookout for 2 Senior AI Engineers to play a pivotal role in our AI and Generative AI initiatives, focusing on the design, development, and deployment or integration of advanced AI systems and solutions.

We're seeking Senior Engineers with deep technical expertise in AI technologies, particularly in areas such as Azure OpenAI, Cognitive Services, prompt engineering, Retrieval‑Augmented Generation (RAG) architectures, vector stores, and API integrations. You'll be able to demonstrate substantial experience in Azure networking and infrastructure, enabling you to effectively design, and manage secure cloud‑based AI environments. This includes leveraging off‑the‑shelf agentic AI components and orchestrating their integration into robust, scalable agentic systems to accelerate the delivery of intelligent automation outcomes.

You’ll collaborate closely with multiple teams, including Data Science, Software Engineering, Data Engineering, and Enterprise Architecture, to deliver end‑to‑end AI systems, from initial concept and prompt design through development, testing, deployment, productionisation, monitoring, and continuous improvement.

As a Senior AI Engineer, you’ll bring strong proficiency across broader AI disciplines such as Computer Vision and Natural Language Processing (NLP), ensuring solutions that draw on the full spectrum of modern AI capabilities. You’ll stay abreast of emerging industry trends, continually adapting and innovating to deliver state‑of‑the‑art AI capabilities aligned with organisational goals.

This is a flexible hybrid role, with occasional visits to our offices in Salford Quays (Manchester) or Haywards Heath (West Sussex) when required. We offer excellent flexibility in working patterns and a company‑wide culture you can be proud to be part of.

Core skills we’re looking for to succeed in the role:

• Python & AI Frameworks: Advanced proficiency in Python, with familiarity in AI frameworks such as LangChain.
• AI Ops & Cloud Production Environments: Skilled in designing and operationalising AI Ops frameworks within cloud‑based production environments.
• Communication & Stakeholder Engagement: Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Organisation & Time Management: Excellent organisational, time management, and prioritisation skills.
• Analytical & Problem‑Solving Ability: Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, capable of quickly diagnosing and resolving technical issues.

What’s involved:

• You’ll design and implement scalable AI and Generative AI solutions using Azure OpenAI, Cognitive Services, RAG patterns and API‑based integrations.
• You’ll integrate and configure off‑the‑shelf Agentic AI components, enabling autonomous task planning, tool‑use, reasoning workflows and agentic orchestration.
• You’ll develop robust agentic system patterns including memory structures, action‑loop orchestration, tool integration and multi‑agent coordination.
• You’ll lead development of secure, auditable and production‑grade AI systems leveraging Azure networking, infrastructure and cloud engineering best practices.l
• You’ll build and maintain CI/CD pipelines in Azure DevOps for automated deployment, versioning and operationalisation of AI services and components.
• You’ll develop automated testing, validation and monitoring frameworks to ensure AI model performance, reliability and ongoing optimisation.
• You’ll establish and promote best practices for AI data pipelines, MLOps/AIOps, cloud infrastructure alignment and scalable architecture design.
• You’ll collaborate with Data Science, Data Engineering, Software Engineering and Enterprise Architecture teams to deliver end‑to‑end AI solutions from concept to production.
• You’ll engage business stakeholders to identify opportunities for AI adoption, build understanding and translate strategic needs into practical AI solutions.
• You’ll promote organisational AI capability through training, mentoring, knowledge‑sharing and fostering a culture of innovation.
• You’ll ensure compliance with the Group Code of Conduct, company guidelines, and relevant regulatory standards at all times.

Experience & knowledge:

• Proven experience designing, developing, deploying, and managing production‑grade AI and Generative AI systems.
• Extensive experience with Cloud‑based AI and Cognitive Services, and Retrieval‑Augmented Generation (RAG) architectures.
• Deep expertise in API integration, preferably within t