AI Platform Lead

AI Platform Lead
We are looking for an AI Platform Lead.
Data is core to our mission at Funding Circle to build a better financial world as well as being our key asset that everyone across the organisation has a part to play in making sure that we look after it, allowing us to better support our customers.

Our central data team lives in our Tech org and reports to the VP of Data. In order to strengthen our data maturity and become truly data driven we are committed to:

- Building a strong data culture where data is treated as an asset
- Empowering our circlers to become highly data fluent and confident self serve users
- Enhancing our world class data platform
- Creating data products across all domains
- Transforming our business with ML & AI

Who are we?
We're Funding Circle. We back small businesses to succeed.
At Funding Circle, we believe the world needs small businesses. That's why we've made it our mission to help them get the finance they need to grow.
With more than a decade of expertise under our belt, we've built a game-changer of a platform with cutting-edge data and technology that's reshaping the landscape of SME lending. Say goodbye to lengthy applications and hello to lightning-fast decisions In just minutes, SMEs across the UK can get a decision, giving them access to competitive funding in a flash.
We know that good business is about good people. So we pride ourselves on providing meaningful, human support as well as fast, hassle free processes to deliver an unbeatable customer experience.
The role
You will be joining our AI and Machine Learning team (within our Data team), taking a pivotal role in building the platform that underpins Funding Circle's AI strategy and allows our existing GenAI applications to scale. This is a senior, hands-on technical role focused on enabling the development, deployment, and management of AI applications and agents across the business. Your responsibilities will include:

- Define and drive the technical strategy and roadmap for Funding Circle's AI platform, enabling the creation, deployment, and management of GenAI applications and agents.
- Architect, build, maintain cloud-based infrastructure for hosting and serving AI (ML and GenAI) models and applications.
- Develop and design tooling and frameworks to standardise AI development, implement systems for central discovery, monitoring, and governance of AI agents, and lead the technical evaluation and integration of third-party AI tools.
- Work closely with stakeholders (Product, Data Science, Engineering, Security, Legal) to ensure the platform meets business needs and embed Funding Circle's Responsible AI framework into the platform's design and operation.
- Act as a subject matter expert on AI platforms and infrastructure, establish best practices, share knowledge, potentially mentor other engineers, and stay current with the latest AI/ML technologies.
- Proactively problem solving, identifying and confidently mitigating any risks, issues or control weaknesses that arise in your day-to-day

What we're looking for
Experience as an engineer within the AI space is preferred. However this role is also suitable for Senior and Lead engineers with experience and skills in product engineering, data engineer, cloud platform engineering who are looking to deepen their AI expertise. Preferred skills are:

- AI/ML platform and integration expertise : Understanding and hands-on experience with LLM based applications and related technologies (e.g. RAG, vector databases, agent frameworks). Experience managing and deploying AI Agent and Knowledge Management systems (Glean, AgentSpace, Amazon Q, Writer, Sana etc.)
- Cloud and infrastructure engineering : Proven ability to design, build, and operate scalable, secure systems on cloud platforms, using Infrastructure as Code, containerisation, serverless, data storage.
- Application development : The design and implementation of full-stack applications and strong programming skills.
- Collaboration and communication : Excellent ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams, manage stakeholders, and clearly explain complex technical ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Problem-solving and initiative : Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with a practical, results-oriented approach, the ability to navigate ambiguity, take ownership, and drive initiatives forward autonomously.

At Funding Circle we are committed to building diverse teams so please apply even if your past experience doesn't align perfectly with the requirements.

Want to learn more?

- We have a huge impact on the businesses that borrow through our platform, the communities they serve and the overall economy (last year £6.9bn of GDP generated). You can read our full Impact Report here: https://www.fundingcircle.com/uk/impact
- To see what our customers think, visit our Trustpilot page: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/fundingcircle.com
- And we're still evolving Our award-winning multi-product platform is solving more SME finance challenges than ever before. We think big, rally together and meet the needs of SME customers like no other.

Why join us?

At Funding Circle, we celebrate and support the differences that make you, you. We're proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace and affirmative-action employer. We truly believe that diversity makes us better .
As a flexible-first employer we offer hybrid working at Funding Circle, and we've long believed in a 'best of both' approach to in-office collaboration and non-office days. We expect our teams to be in our London office two times a week, where you can take advantage of our newly refurbished hybrid working space, barista made coffee and subsidised lunches (via JustEat) every day

We back our Circlers to build their own incredible career, making a difference to small businesses every day. Our Circler proposition is designed to support employees both in and out of work, and it is anchored around four pillars: Health, Wealth, Development & Lifestyle.

A few highlights:

- Health: Private Medical Insurance through Aviva, Dental Insurance through Bupa, MediCash, access to free online therapy sessions and exclusive discounts with Hertility for reproductive health support.
- Wealth: Octopus Money Coach, free mortgage advisor partnership and discounts across numerous retailers through Perks at Work.
- Development: Dedicated annual learning allowance and full access to internal learning platform.
- Lifestyle: Wellhub (for fitness discounts), Electric Car Scheme and more

And finally, we have award winning parental leave policies supporting parents through enhanced maternity, partner and adoption leave, as well as additional leave for parental bereavement and for fertility treatments.

Ready to make a difference? We'd love to hear from you.