Research Engineer, AI Systems / LLM Agents

Job Title: Research Engineer, AI Systems / LLM Agents
Location: London Kings Cross, hybrid, 3 days onsite per week
Rate: £45 per hour PAYE
Contract: 6 months, extension possible
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00am-6:00pm, 40 hours per week
Start Date: ASAP

Job Description
We are looking for a Research Engineer to join a leading AI research team in London, working on AI systems, machine learning agents, and large language model research infrastructure.
This is a hands-on engineering and research role suited to someone with strong Python skills, a scientific mindset, and the ability to move quickly in a fast-paced research environment. You will work closely with research engineers, scientists, and cross-functional partners to build tools, run experiments, and support cutting-edge machine learning research.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and evaluate LLM agents and machine learning research workflows.
• Design tools, infrastructure, and methods to support large-scale AI research.
• Write high-quality Python code and work with frameworks such as PyTorch.
• Run complex experiments using large AI models and datasets.
• Collaborate with research engineers, scientists, and wider technical teams.
• Translate research requirements into practical prototypes, roadmaps, and deliverables.
• Communicate research plans, progress, and results clearly.

Required Skills And Experience

• Strong hands-on Python experience.
• Experience with PyTorch or similar machine learning frameworks.
• Background in machine learning, artificial intelligence, data mining, recommendation systems, pattern recognition, or a related field.
• Exposure to LLMs, LLM agents, generative AI, pre-training, post-training, or programmatic LLM querying.
• Strong scientific mindset: organised, diligent, curious, and evidence-led.
• Ability to work quickly, execute independently, and deliver high-quality code.
• Comfortable working in a high-pressure, ambiguous research environment.
• Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Machine Learning, Mathematics, Physics, or equivalent practical experience.

Preferred Experience

• PhD or research-focused Master’s degree in machine learning or a related technical field.
• Experience as a Research Engineer, Applied Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, or similar.
• Experience in a startup, internship, academic research, or major technology company environment.
• Direct exposure to agentic AI systems, generative AI research, or advanced ML experimentation.

Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be hard-working, technically strong, and passionate about AI research. This is not purely an academic publishing role; it requires someone who can execute, write code, and contribute practically to fast-moving research projects.

Interview Process
Initial screen followed by two loop interviews.