Principal AI Engineer
michaelpage
Job Description
- Define the technical direction for AI-augmented optimisation and intelligent decision systems.
- Lead the optimisation intelligence agenda across network design, routing, deployment, and operational planning.
- Guide teams of optimisation, analytics, and AI specialists to deliver scalable solutions.
- Establish frameworks for experimentation, evaluation, and performance validation.
- Design how AI interacts with heuristics, optimisation engines, solver technologies, and enterprise workflows.
- Shape multi-agent systems supporting reasoning, orchestration, exception management, and human-in-the-loop decision-making.
- Drive innovation through the identification, testing, and scaling of emerging AI and optimisation approaches.
- Communicate technical trade-offs, assumptions, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
- The Successful Applicant
- Advanced degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, Operations Research, or a related quantitative discipline.
- Significant experience leading AI, optimisation, decision intelligence, or advanced analytics initiatives.
- Deep understanding of optimisation methods, modelling techniques, heuristics, and mathematical programming.
- Experience improving planning, routing, scheduling, or network optimisation outcomes.
- Strong Python expertise and experience collaborating with software and data engineering teams.
- Proven ability to lead experimentation programmes and transform technical concepts into business value.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Desirable experience within logistics, supply chain, transportation, shipping, or other optimisation-intensive industries.
- Exposure to AI-enhanced optimisation techniques such as reinforcement learning, surrogate models, or learning-augmented algorithms.
- What's on Offer
- Opportunity to define the future of AI-enabled optimisation at enterprise scale.
- High-impact leadership position influencing strategic and operational decision-making.
- Exposure to cutting-edge AI, optimisation, and agentic technologies.
- Collaborative environment with highly skilled specialists across AI, analytics, and optimisation.
- Significant scope to shape innovation strategy and long-term technical direction.