AI & Data Engineer

We are looking for an AI & Data Engineer to help build and scale our company's data and AI capability. This role will be responsible for creating the data foundations that enable better analysis, smarter decision-making, and future AI-driven solutions across the business. The successful candidate will combine strong data engineering expertise with practical AI experience. They will help structure and improve our data landscape, identify valuable opportunities for AI, and build solutions that allow the business to use data more effectively now and in the future. VARIED DAY TO DAY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, build, and maintain data pipelines that collect, clean, transform, and structure data from multiple sources
• Develop data architecture and models that support reporting, analytics, automation, and AI use cases
• Identify opportunities to use AI to analyse data, automate manual work, improve decision-making, and support business growth
• Build and deploy AI-powered solutions such as classification, summarisation, forecasting, anomaly detection, and intelligent workflow tools
• Work closely with business and technical stakeholders to understand requirements and translate them into scalable data and AI solutions
• Improve the quality, accessibility, and reliability of company data for current and future use
• Support the development of the company's longer-term AI and data strategy
• Evaluate tools, technologies, and platforms that strengthen our data and AI capabilities
• Establish best practices for data management, experimentation, model deployment, and documentation
• Ensure appropriate governance, security, and responsible use of data and AI systems

• Experience in data engineering, analytics engineering, machine learning engineering, or AI engineering roles
• Strong Python and SQL skills
• Experience building and maintaining ETL or ELT pipelines
• Strong understanding of data modelling, data transformation, and data quality
• Experience working with cloud platforms and modern data infrastructure
• Hands-on experience applying AI or machine learning to real business problems
• Experience handling both structured and unstructured data
• Ability to work across the full lifecycle from data ingestion to production-ready AI solutions
• Strong communication skills and ability to work with cross-functional teams

Preferred experience

• Experience with LLMs and related tooling
• Familiarity with vector databases, embeddings, retrieval systems, or AI workflow orchestration
• Experience with BI and reporting platforms
• Experience deploying models or AI systems into production environments
• Familiarity with MLOps, data governance, and responsible AI practices
• Experience in a growing business where data capability is still being developed

Our comprehensive benefit package includes:

• 25 days holiday rising to 30 with each year of service
• Private Medical Insurance covering dental and optical
• Company pension scheme
• Life Assurance - 4x your annual salary
• 1 day paid volunteering per year
• Enhanced maternity / paternity offerings
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to work scheme
• On site gym

SmartSearch's distinctive Anti-Money Laundering verification software protects our clients by offering the most advanced and comprehensive features available from an AML provider. SmartSearch has grown rapidly by fostering an incredibly collaborative and supportive culture. As we continue our ambitious growth plans, we will strive to remain a truly exciting, rewarding, and unique place to work. HOW WILL YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE?, * We are a multi-award winning Tech company with an aspirational mentality * Some of our most recent recognitions include: named in the renowned RegTech100 list for 2024, listed in the Top 100 Fasted Growing Tech Companies by Northern Tech Awards 2024 as well as being named Technology Provider of the Year by Corporate Finance Awards 2024 * We have been Great Place To Work Certified since 2022 * There are excellent progression opportunities due to our growth and you will have personal development goals, regular feedback and support * We are a diverse and inclusive team committed to promoting Diversity & Inclusion and Social Responsibility. Through our DE&I group, charitable initiatives and support for local schools, we actively foster a positive Impact on our community