AI Platform Specialist

Location: South East London

AI Platform Specialist (AI Capability Development) Closing date: 1st July 2026

Location:

RG7 4PR
, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking . Package: £61,460 - £95,000p.a (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience) Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application. Ready to play your part?

At AWE, it's not just a job, it's far more than that. Our shared purpose is to help keep the nation safe. Could this role be the opportunity for you to play your part? Responsibilities to include:
Continuously scan the AI landscape to spot emerging tools, models and techniques with strategic value, maintaining an internal tech radar to keep AWE ahead of developments and supporting the growth of AWE's internal AI capability. Plan and run structured assessments, benchmarking and hands-on trials of new AI technologies, producing clear recommendations (adopt, trial, reject) grounded in practical evidence and risk analysis.

Maintain a forward-looking roadmap that aligns emerging AI capabilities, skills and investments with organisational needs, guiding where and when to adopt new technologies. Convert evaluation and prototype learnings into reusable solution patterns, templates, sample code and reference architectures that accelerate safe, scalable AI adoption across the organisation. Ensure all AI capability development activities comply with AWE's safety, security, ethical, data protection and nuclear governance standards, enabling rapid but responsible adoption of new AI technologies.

Provide technical leadership to, and coordinate, the AI-assisted software development team and any supporting AI team members, fostering a collaborative and innovative AI community across AWE. Additional duties:
Build small-scale demonstrators to de-risk new technologies, gather real-world evidence and generate reusable components that can be scaled by delivery teams. Lead knowledge-sharing, advanced training, hackathons and community events to upskill engineers, data scientists and technologists, fostering curiosity and continuous innovation. Manage key external AI partnerships with vendors, research bodies and industry forums, securing early access to innovations, influencing product roadmaps to suit AWE's needs, and bringing in external expertise to keep AWE at the cutting edge.

Who are we looking for? We do need you to have the following:
Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Mathematics or a related STEM discipline. Proven substantial experience in AI/ML development, data science, or a related technology domain - including taking the lead in developing or evaluating complex AI solutions from concept through to implementation, and providing technical leadership to others. Demonstrable track record of delivering innovative technical outcomes in line with quality, safety, and security standards (for example, successfully introducing a new technology or tool within a regulated or mission-critical environment).

Deep knowledge of modern AI and machine learning techniques and frameworks (e.g. machine learning algorithms, model lifecycle management, data engineering for AI) and the ability to apply these effectively on real-world projects. Excellent analytical, communication and leadership skills, with hands-on proficiency in programming and prototyping (e.g. Python, AI/ML libraries, data analysis tools), and an energetic, inquisitive and proactive approach with the integrity to thrive in a high-security, safety-first environment.

Work hard, be rewarded:
We ask a lot and set the bar high because our work truly matters. In return we offer balance, with award winning benefits including: 9-day working fortnight - meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave. Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).

Family friendly policies:
Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay. Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body. Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services. Life Assurance (4 x annual salary). Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending. Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

Hybrid working is available for this role on an informal, non-contractual basis. LI-AH1