AI Engineer

About The Company Aviva is a leading multinational insurance company committed to providing innovative and reliable insurance solutions to customers worldwide. With a rich history of over 300 years, Aviva has established itself as a trusted provider of life, health, and general insurance products. The company prides itself on fostering a culture of innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity, aiming to deliver long-term value to its customers, employees, and stakeholders. Aviva's dedication to responsible business practices and technological advancement positions it as a forward-thinking organization at the forefront of the insurance industry. About The Role The Principal Applied AI Engineer role sits at the core of Aviva’s Applied AI Engineering capability. This position is ideal for a highly experienced applied AI or software engineer recognized as a technical authority, with extensive experience in designing and delivering complex AI systems at scale. The successful candidate will provide long-term technical leadership across the organization, shaping architecture, standards, and best practices to ensure responsible and effective AI deployment. Operating at the system and organizational level, you will partner with senior stakeholders to set the technical direction, influence outcomes through your expertise, and lead the design and operational excellence of Aviva’s most impactful AI systems. This role involves establishing robust standards, safeguarding responsible AI use, and ensuring the scalability, reliability, and safety of AI solutions across the enterprise. Qualifications * Extensive experience designing, building, and operating complex applied AI or LLM-powered systems in production environments * Deep expertise in Python engineering, with a proven ability to define, uphold, and evolve high engineering standards * Strong track record of making and leading significant architectural decisions that balance customer value, scalability, reliability, and regulatory compliance * Experience in defining evaluation and quality assurance approaches to manage safety, correctness, and compliance in live AI systems * Confidence working within regulated environments, acting as a technical authority and partnering with senior stakeholders on risk-aware AI delivery * Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills * Proven leadership in setting technical standards and influencing organizational AI strategy Responsibilities * Provide technical leadership for the design, development, and deployment of complex AI systems at scale * Establish and promote standards, patterns, and safeguards for responsible AI use across the organization * Lead architectural decision-making, ensuring solutions are scalable, reliable, and compliant with regulatory requirements * Define and implement evaluation frameworks to ensure safety, correctness, and quality of AI systems in production * Partner with senior stakeholders to align AI initiatives with business objectives and risk management strategies * Mentor and guide engineering teams, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement * Stay abreast of emerging AI technologies, standards, and best practices, integrating them into organizational processes * Ensure operational excellence and safety of AI systems, including monitoring, troubleshooting, and incident response Benefits * Competitive salary of circa £140K, dependent on location, skills, experience, and qualifications * Performance-based bonus opportunity of up to 12% of annual salary * Generous pension scheme with contributions up to 14% * 29 days holiday plus bank holidays, with options to buy or sell up to 5 days * Aviva-funded Private Medical Benefit for comprehensive health support * Up to 40% discount on Aviva products and other retailer discounts * Annual allocation of up to £1,200 in Aviva shares through the Matching Share Plan and Save As You Earn scheme * Supportive policies including parental and carer’s leave * Flexible benefits, including sustainability options such as cycle-to-work schemes * Paid volunteering days and active participation in Aviva Communities to make a positive impact * Resources and tools dedicated to supporting your wellbeing and professional growth Equal Opportunity Aviva is committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. We consider flexible working arrangements, including part-time and job-sharing options, to accommodate diverse needs. We ensure fair treatment during our recruitment process, including interviewing every disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria. Our goal is to foster a workplace that reflects the diversity of our community and promotes equal opportunities for all.