Principal AI & Software Solutions Lead

Overview ------------ Artificial Intelligence is transforming how organisations solve complex challenges, deliver value, and create new opportunities for clients and communities. Within Nuclear EMEA, we are seeking a Principal AI \& Software Solutions Lead to join our Transformation team and help shape, develop, and deliver practical AI and digital solutions that address real business and client needs. Combining deep software engineering expertise with emerging technologies such as AI, automation, data, and digital solutions, you will play a key role in turning innovative ideas into meaningful outcomes. Our focus is not technology for technology's sake, but on enhancing delivery, improving decision-making, increasing efficiency, and enabling new ways of working in a responsible, secure, and commercially valuable manner. Reporting to the Transformation Director and working closely with the AI Delivery Lead, you will help evaluate opportunities, guide technical approaches, and support the progression of ideas into production-ready solutions. This is a hands-on leadership role with a key part to play in building a new AI and software solutions capability within Nuclear EMEA, helping to transform how the business identifies opportunities, develops solutions, and delivers value. Combining technical excellence, collaboration, and delivery leadership, you will help teams turn ambition into practical, scalable impact. Your role ------------- AI Use Case Assessment \& Validation * Stay connected to developments across the AI landscape, bringing insights and emerging good practices into the business. * Partner with the AI team to assess proposed use cases, evaluating technology options, feasibility, value, effort, and risk. * Work closely with business and client-facing teams to explore opportunities, shape solutions, and rapidly prototype ideas. * Help identify practical and scalable approaches that align business needs with technological capabilities. Delivery \& Technical Leadership * Guide discovery activities, Proof of Concept development, and the transition of validated use cases into production-ready solutions. * Apply expertise in Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), retrieval strategies, and Large Language Model (LLM) orchestration to support solution delivery. * Design solution architectures using cloud AI platforms, including Azure AI Foundry or equivalent technologies, and vector databases. * Act as a trusted bridge between technical teams and business stakeholders, translating complex concepts into clear and actionable outcomes. * Support the delivery of secure, scalable, and sustainable solutions that create lasting value. Team Leadership \& Growth * Foster a collaborative and inclusive environment where software engineers can thrive while delivering AI and agentic solutions. * Provide technical direction and hands-on support throughout delivery, promoting strong architecture, code quality, and production readiness practices. * Support the development of junior and mid-level engineers through coaching, mentoring, constructive feedback, and knowledge sharing. * Help build team capability by aligning resources, developing talent, and supporting the effective mobilisation of teams across a growing portfolio of work. * Encourage continuous learning and create opportunities for others to strengthen their skills and expertise. Standards \& Organisational Learning * Partner with the AI Delivery Lead and Transformation Director to identify emerging opportunities, lessons learned, risks, and areas for improvement. * Contribute to the continuous enhancement of governance, standards, and ways of working. * Share knowledge and insights across teams to strengthen organisational capability and support long-term growth. * Bring a proactive and collaborative approach, helping teams overcome challenges, maintain momentum, and achieve successful outcomes together. About you ------------- * Bring strong software engineering expertise, including experience with Python or similar programming languages, APIs, version control, testing, and collaborative development practices. * Demonstrate experience developing, deploying, or supporting digital, automation, data, or AI-enabled solutions within a professional environment. * Apply knowledge of modern AI concepts and technologies, including Large Language Models (LLMs), Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), prompt engineering, agentic systems, or related areas. * Have experience working with cloud-based platforms and services, with an appreciation of scalability, performance, security, and cost considerations. * Show the ability to evaluate business challenges and identify practical technology solutions, balancing technical possibilities with delivery effort, risk, and value. * Bring strong problem-solving skills and the ability to navigate evolving or ambiguous environments with a structured and thoughtful approach. * Communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, building trust, understanding, and alignment. * Demonstrate a passion for emerging technologies, continuous learning, and applying innovation to real-world challenges. * Contribute experience gained through Proofs of Concept, prototypes, or pilot initiatives involving AI, automation, data analytics, or digital technologies. * Bring exposure to Azure AI Foundry, Azure OpenAI Services, vector databases, cloud-native architectures, or similar technologies. * Apply knowledge of RAG architectures, AI orchestration frameworks, or agentic workflows. * Demonstrate an understanding of data governance, information security, and Responsible AI principles. * Support the growth of others through mentoring, coaching, or knowledge-sharing activities. * Bring experience working within large, complex, or highly regulated organisations. * Apply an understanding of software architecture principles and the delivery of maintainable, production-ready solutions. * Show an interest in helping shape engineering standards, ways of working, and capability development within a growing AI function. Rewards \& benefits ----------------------- Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life. Rewards and benefits – Careers at AtkinsRéalis About AtkinsRéalis ---------------------- We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's'infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people. Additional information -------------------------- Security clearance This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance. We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.