AI & DfMA Researcher

Architypes is supporting Laing O’Rourke in the search for an AI & DfMA Researcher to join their Technology & Innovation team at their Dartford HQ.

About Laing O’Rourke

Laing O’Rourke is a globally recognised engineering enterprise committed to innovation and technical excellence across design, manufacturing and construction.

Their mission is to lead the industry through advanced product platforms, digital engineering and industrialised construction methods that improve quality, safety and sustainability.

The Technology & Innovation (T&I) Group sits at the centre of the Laing O’Rourke group of companies and is a key driver of the transformation of construction.

T&I brings together engineering, manufacturing, digital, product development and systems thinking to create the next generation of construction products and delivery models.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an AI & DfMA Researcher to join the Product Development team within Technology & Innovation.

AI is developing rapidly, but its application within construction, DfMA and industrialised product development remains relatively unexplored.

This role is focused on identifying where AI can create real value across the way construction products are designed, developed, manufactured and delivered
.

This is not a traditional AI engineering role.

You will not be expected to build large language models or develop complex machine-learning systems from scratch. Instead, you will combine a strong understanding of DfMA, design, BIM and construction with an interest in emerging AI technologies.

You will identify opportunities, rapidly prototype ideas using existing AI technologies and work alongside specialist teams where deeper technical expertise is required.

A major part of the role will be exploring not only how AI can improve existing processes, but also:

What could DfMA and product development look like if they were designed around AI from the outset?

In this role, you will:

• Identify opportunities for AI across product design, development, manufacturing and construction.
• Map existing Product Development processes and identify where AI or automation could add value.
• Research emerging AI technologies and assess their relevance to DfMA and industrialised construction.
• Rapidly prototype AI-enabled workflows using existing models, APIs and tools.
• Explore applications involving LLMs, AI agents, generative AI, computer vision and optimisation.
• Investigate integration between AI, computational design, BIM and digital manufacturing.
• Test ideas against live Product Development projects.
• Work with specialist AI, data and systems teams where deeper technical capability is required.
• Help develop an emerging AI × DfMA roadmap for Product Development.

Key Responsibilities

AI & DfMA research

• Identify high-value opportunities for AI across design, manufacturing and construction.
• Research emerging AI technologies and understand where they could have practical applications.
• Explore AI applications within design configuration, optimisation, BIM and manufacturing.
• Investigate how AI could be used to capture, structure and reuse product and construction knowledge.
• Challenge existing Product Development processes and explore new AI-enabled approaches.
• Rapidly build and test AI-enabled concepts and workflows.
• Experiment with existing LLMs, AI agents, generative AI and computer vision technologies.
• Develop proof-of-concept tools and workflows.
• Explore connections between AI, computational design, BIM and digital manufacturing.
• Test concepts against real Product Development challenges and demonstrate practical value.
• Work alongside Product Development, engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Understand how products move from concept and design through manufacturing and assembly.
• Identify opportunities…