Agency Partners

Market insights for hiring AI Engineers in United Kingdom

This report was last updated on Apr 12, 2025

Agency Partners scans all software engineering jobs in Europe in real time. We monitor 50.000+ jobs each week to gather insights about the job market and indentify top companies. Top companies work with us to find their world-class development partners to drive their innovation projects.

Key Insights from this report

  • The AI job market in the United Kingdom has experienced notable fluctuations, with 39 new AI roles opened in the last week, indicating a net growth in job opportunities despite 26 closures during the same period.
  • London dominates the AI Engineer hiring landscape, accounting for an overwhelming 86% of total job openings, with remote positions comprising 5% and listings categorized under 'United Kingdom' contributing 4%.
  • The talent pool for AI Engineers remains competitive, with the UK showcasing a higher ratio of job openings to available talent compared to other European countries, underscoring the need for strategic recruitment initiatives.
  • With 68% of AI Engineering roles at the Mid-Senior level, hiring managers should focus on attracting experienced talent to align with the current demand for skilled professionals.
  • The median time to hire for AI Engineers in the United Kingdom is 31 days, emphasizing the necessity for companies to implement agile recruitment strategies to secure top talent quickly in the fast-evolving tech sector.
Number of roles opened and closed for AI Engineers in United Kingdom in the last 3 months

Number of roles opened and closed for AI Engineers in United Kingdom in the last 3 months

The AI engineering job market in the United Kingdom has shown dynamic fluctuations over the past 12 weeks, highlighting significant recruitment opportunities in this sector. In week 13 alone, 39 AI roles were opened, culminating in a total of 13 posts for the week, and contrasting sharply with a closure of 26 positions during the same period. This trend indicates a positive net growth in AI job openings, especially when compared to the overall recruitment climate, where roles in technology are increasingly being filled across the continent. Notably, AI job postings in the UK surpass many European counterparts, making it imperative for hiring managers and CTOs to capitalize on the escalating demand for AI professionals.

Who else is hiring for AI Engineers in United Kingdom:

Company name Country Industry Founded # Job openings
Dynamo AI logo Dynamo AI United States of America Software Development 2021 4
Oho Group Ltd logo Oho Group Ltd United Kingdom Staffing And Recruiting 2007 3
Harnham logo Harnham United Kingdom Staffing And Recruiting 2006 2
Understanding Recruitment logo Understanding Recruitment United Kingdom Staffing And Recruiting 2007 2
Saturn AI logo Saturn AI United Kingdom Financial Services 2023 2
numi logo numi United Kingdom Staffing & Recruiting 2020 2
PhysicsX logo PhysicsX United Kingdom Software Development null 2
Epic Games logo Epic Games United States of America Computer Games null 2
Viridien logo Viridien null Technology, Information And Internet 1931 2
In Technology Group logo In Technology Group United Kingdom Staffing & Recruiting null 2

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Talent pool vs job openings for AI Engineers in United Kingdom

How competitive it is to hire AI Engineers in United Kingdom

The AI Engineers job market trends in the United Kingdom reveal a challenging landscape for hiring managers, with a significant ratio of job openings to available talent. Currently, the UK has a higher number of openings relative to its talent pool compared to other countries like Germany and France, where the availability of skilled professionals is more favorable. For instance, while the UK experiences intense competition for AI Engineer roles, countries like Poland and Spain are emerging as robust alternatives due to their expanding talent pools. As the recruitment strategies for CTOs in the United Kingdom's tech sector refine, understanding these hiring trends becomes essential for securing top AI Developer opportunities.

Seniority distribution of AI Engineer job openings in United Kingdom

Seniority Distribution of AI Engineering Jobs in United Kingdom

The seniority distribution of AI Engineering jobs in the United Kingdom reveals a significant concentration at the Mid-Senior level, which accounts for 68% of the total positions. Entry level roles comprise 21% of the job market, while Associate positions represent 7%. This distribution highlights the robust demand for experienced talent in the AI job market in the United Kingdom, indicating a strategic focus for hiring managers in their recruitment strategies.

Chart about preferred employment type for Engineering roles in United Kingdom

Preferred employment type for Engineering roles in United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom's software development sector, the employment type distribution indicates a strong preference for full-time positions, accounting for 92% of the roles. Contract employment follows with 8%, representing a significant but smaller segment of the job market. Internship opportunities, while crucial for entry-level talent, make up only 1% of the total roles available.

Time to Hire Distribution for AI in United Kingdom

How long does it take to hire AI Engineers

The time to hire distribution for AI positions in the United Kingdom indicates a significant variation in recruitment timelines. Notably, the majority of candidates are typically hired within a timeframe of 30 to 45 days, with a peak of 68 hires occurring at the 30-day mark. As firms navigate the AI job market in the United Kingdom, employers should recognize that approximately 95% of AI Engineer candidates are secured within the first 60 days. This provides essential insights into recruitment strategies for CTOs, highlighting the imperative for agile hiring processes to capitalize on the growing demand for AI Engineers. Additionally, understanding these hiring trends will aid in positioning roles to effectively attract top talent in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Most popular cities in United Kingdom to hire AI Engineers

Top 5 cities in United Kingdom to hire AI Engineers

The AI Engineers job market in the United Kingdom is predominantly centered in London, which accounts for 86% of the total job openings. Following London, remote positions represent 5% of the opportunities, while job listings aggregated under 'United Kingdom' contribute 4%. Notably, the prominence of London as a tech hub underscores its critical role in meeting the future demand for AI Engineers within the UK workforce.

Most sought after technologies in United Kingdom for AI

Key technologies for AI Engineers

In the competitive AI job market in the United Kingdom, a range of technologies consistently emerges as essential skills for prospective candidates. Python stands out as the most prevalent programming language, with a staggering frequency of 8,172 mentions, showcasing its critical role in AI development. Following closely are Machine Learning and Data Science, with frequencies of 4,551 and 1,240 respectively, highlighting the centrality of these fields in AI roles. Additionally, SQL, Java, and C++ are indispensable, appearing 1,573, 1,373, and 1,142 times respectively. For organizations looking to hire AI Engineers, familiarity with these technologies is crucial, as illustrated in the accompanying chart.

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