Principal AI Engineering Manager

Salary

£50,000 - 90,000 per year

Requirements

• We require demonstrable experience leading and managing software or AI engineering teams in a production environment, with accountability for team performance, technical quality, and delivery outcomes.
• We require a strong software engineering background, including proficiency in modern programming languages and software development practices such as version control, CI/CD, and automated testing.
• We require hands‑on experience delivering AI or machine learning solutions at scale, including model development, deployment, and ongoing operations (MLOps).
• We require experience with large language models, generative AI techniques, or agentic AI frameworks applied to real‑world business problems.
• We require a track record of managing multi‑stakeholder programmes while balancing business priorities with technical constraints and engineering quality.
• We require strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical concepts clearly to non‑technical partners and senior leadership.
• We require a bachelors degree or higher in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, Mathematics, or a related technical subject area.
• We prefer experience operating in the energy sector or another complex industrial or commodities environment.
• We prefer familiarity with enterprise data platforms, SaaS integration, or data mesh/fabric architectural patterns.
• We prefer prior exposure to AI applications in operational, trading, or engineering domains such as optimisation, forecasting, or natural language interfaces to enterprise data.
• We prefer formal training or certification in AI/ML such as AWS Machine Learning Specialty, Google Professional ML Engineer, or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• We lead AI engineering capability across Upstream and Downstream business domains within our central digital delivery organisation.
• We manage a team of AI‑focused software engineers and develop their skills by setting technical direction and fostering engineering excellence.
• We own end‑to‑end delivery of AI engineering programmes, from defining requirements and solution design through iterative development and production deployment.
• We partner with business stakeholders and product managers to translate domain challenges into well‑scoped AI engineering initiatives that deliver measurable business value.
• We contribute to our broader AI engineering strategy by establishing and promoting practices, standards, and patterns that improve consistency and quality across teams.
• We manage relationships with internal and external engineering resources, including contracted and offshore teams, to ensure delivery quality and alignment with technical standards.
• We collaborate with platform, data, and architecture teams to ensure our AI solutions are built on sound foundations and integrate appropriately with our enterprise technology landscape.
• We help accelerate our adoption of applied AI by embedding technical leadership close to business domains and ensuring solutions are fit for purpose, scalable, and aligned with enterprise standards.

Technologies

• AI
• AWS
• CI/CD
• Fabric
• Machine Learning
• Cloud
• API
• NoSQL
• Security

More

We are bp, a global energy company committed to creating, growing, and delivering innovation at pace as we transition to a net zero world, without compromising operational risk management. We offer an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and we invest in the growth and wellbeing of our people through resources, networks, and development opportunities. Our total rewards package includes competitive pay, bonuses, share options, and flexible benefits such as healthcare and retirement plans, paid time off, and agile working. This role is based in our Sunbury office and will move to Southwark, London by the end of 2027. The role is hybrid, with up to 10% travel expected, and it is not eligible for relocation.