Senior AI Engineer

Senior AI Engineer – Contract

Location: Mayfair, Central London

Working Pattern: Hybrid – 3–5 days onsite per week (5 days preferred)

Contract: Outside IR35

Start Date: 26 October 2026

Contract Duration: Until 13 July 2027

The Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced and forward-thinking Senior AI Engineer to join an exciting, AI-driven transformation programme within the financial services sector.

This is an opportunity to work at the forefront of artificial intelligence, helping to solve complex business challenges through innovative, practical AI solutions.

Unlike traditional engineering positions, this role isn't about ticking boxes against a particular technology stack. We're looking for someone who understands the capabilities of modern AI, can think creatively, challenge conventional approaches and turn ambiguous business problems into tangible solutions.

You'll work closely with customers and stakeholders, helping them explore opportunities, overcome technical challenges and deliver meaningful outcomes through AI.

What You'll Be Doing

• Designing, developing and delivering innovative AI-driven solutions to complex business challenges.
• Leveraging Claude and other modern AI technologies to build intelligent, practical and scalable solutions.
• Working directly with customers to understand their challenges, identify opportunities and translate business requirements into effective AI solutions.
• Taking ownership of technical challenges from initial discovery and solution design through to implementation and delivery.
• Operating confidently in environments where requirements may be unclear, evolving or not yet fully defined.
• Proactively identifying opportunities to improve existing processes, systems and workflows through AI.
• Experimenting with emerging AI capabilities, evaluating their suitability and implementing solutions that deliver measurable value.
• Collaborating with technical and non-technical stakeholders, communicating complex concepts clearly and effectively.
• Applying sound engineering principles to ensure solutions are reliable, maintainable and fit for purpose.
• Challenging assumptions, proposing alternative approaches and helping shape the direction of AI initiatives.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience in a Senior AI Engineer, AI Software Engineer, AI Solutions Engineer or similar technical role.
• Strong hands-on experience designing, building and implementing AI-powered solutions.
• Practical experience working with Claude , ideally alongside other large language models and generative AI technologies.
• A strong engineering background with the ability to apply technical knowledge across different environments and challenges.
• Demonstrable experience taking complex, loosely defined problems and developing effective solutions independently.
• Excellent analytical thinking, troubleshooting and problem-solving capabilities.
• Confidence engaging directly with customers, understanding their needs and influencing technical decisions.
• A proactive, self-starting approach, with the ability to take ownership without requiring extensive direction.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Experience working in fast-paced environments where priorities and requirements can change.
• A genuine passion for AI innovation and an interest in exploring how emerging technologies can solve real-world business problems.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience delivering technology solutions within financial services or similarly complex, regulated environments.
• Experience developing AI agents, agentic workflows or intelligent automation solutions.
• Familiarity with prompt engineering, LLM orchestration and AI integration approaches.
• Experience working in consultancy, customer-facing engineering or technical delivery environments.
• Exposure to AI-led business transformation or process optimisation programmes.
• Experience taking AI concepts and prototypes through to practical, production-ready solutions.

Why This Opportunity?

This is a chance to work on a genuinely AI-focused programme where your ability to think, innovate and solve problems matters more than your familiarity with a prescribed technology stack.

You'll have the opportunity to work directly with stakeholders, influence technical direction and deliver solutions that make a tangible difference.

If you're an experienced engineer who thrives on ambiguity, enjoys working with customers and is passionate about using AI to solve challenging problems, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today or get in touch to discuss the opportunity in more detail.