Head of AI

Head of AI Overview

This opportunity is for a senior AI technology leader to join an innovative deep-tech start-up in Oxfordshire that is developing a new kind of AI acceleration platform. The company is focused on building computing technology that can address major performance and efficiency limitations in modern AI, enabling demanding workloads to run faster, more efficiently, and at lower cost than conventional approaches. The role sits within a highly capable engineering team and offers the chance to help shape a breakthrough platform with the potential to change how large-scale AI is deployed.

What the role involves

• Taking ownership of the AI software function and helping define the technical direction for the platform’s AI layer.
• Setting the strategy for how the company’s AI software is developed, integrated, and delivered as the business moves toward market.
• Designing scalable AI systems, developer tools, and production-grade software that can support a next-generation compute platform.
• Working in close partnership with hardware, systems, and product teams so that software decisions align with the wider architecture and commercial goals.
• Contributing to software that supports model deployment, inference, optimisation, and other core AI workload requirements.
• Helping solve difficult technical challenges at the intersection of AI, systems engineering, and advanced computing.
• Influencing product direction, technology choices, and long-term roadmap planning as the company grows.
• Building out the engineering organisation by hiring, mentoring, and developing talented engineers.
• Leading and supporting high-performing technical teams in a fast-moving, ambitious environment.

Experience and skills needed

• Deep expertise in AI and machine learning, with a strong understanding of modern AI workloads, model deployment, inference, and optimisation.
• Proven experience in technical leadership, including managing, mentoring, and developing engineering teams.
• Strong software architecture skills, particularly in the design of scalable AI platforms, developer tooling, and production systems.
• Comfort working across disciplines and collaborating closely with hardware, systems, and product stakeholders.
• Excellent programming ability, especially in Python and C/C++, with experience in performance-critical environments.
• Working knowledge of machine learning infrastructure, including AI frameworks, compilers, runtimes, and associated tooling.
• Background in AI infrastructure, high-performance computing, semiconductors, systems software, or another similarly technical deep-tech environment.
• Experience hiring, growing, and scaling engineering teams or broader engineering organisations.
• The ability to operate effectively in a company building advanced technology from the ground up.

Why this role is attractive

• You would play a central part in bringing a genuinely new compute platform to market.
• You would help define the AI software strategy for a rapidly expanding engineering organisation.
• You would have real influence over product direction, technical decisions, and the future roadmap.
• You would join a well-funded company working on some of the most demanding problems in AI infrastructure.
• The package is described as competitive and includes salary, equity, and benefits.
• The work offers the chance to tackle highly complex technical problems in a cutting-edge area of computing.

Location and working style

The position is based in Oxfordshire, England, and the advert states that flexible working is available.

How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to apply through the application link on the listing or contact Chris Amison at IC Resources for further information. The advert also provides a direct request-for-call option and contact details for the recruiter.

Degree Requirement: Not Specified

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