Senior AI R&D Lead
Detailed Job Description
The organisation is a global developer of automated materials‑handling and warehouse production technologies. Their solutions combine industrial software, PLC‑based control systems, robotics, automated machinery, and data‑driven engineering workflows. They are seeking a Senior AI R&D Lead to drive the practical adoption of AI across industrial software, controls, manufacturing, and product development. The focus of this role is applied capability and measurable business impact, not academic research.
Purpose of the Role
The Senior AI R&D Lead is responsible for identifying, validating and delivering AI-driven improvements across engineering, manufacturing and automation product workflows. This includes accelerating development cycles, improving quality and reliability, and enhancing system performance. The position requires close collaboration with engineering, operations and R&D teams to ensure AI initiatives address real operational needs and are deployed with appropriate industrial governance.
Key Responsibilities
* Identify, assess and prioritise AI use cases across WCS/WMS platforms, PLC engineering, manufacturing operations and product development
* Apply AI techniques to requirements extraction, technical documentation, code validation, testing and optimisation
* Use large foundation models such as Claude and GPT-based systems to enhance engineering productivity across software, controls and R&D environments
* Implement AI-assisted development approaches including rapid prototyping, automated coding workflows and LLM-supported solution design
* Improve manufacturing quality, efficiency and standardisation through data-driven analysis and AI-enabled methods
* Oversee the lifecycle of AI initiatives from concept validation through to production deployment in industrial environments
* Establish appropriate governance standards addressing safety, compliance, reliability and risk
* Collaborate with engineering, operations, R&D and commercial teams to align AI outputs with delivery requirements and commercial priorities
* Translate complex AI capabilities into clear technical recommendations and practical tools for engineering teams
Candidate Profile
* Background in industrial automation, controls engineering, robotics or industrial software development
* Hands-on experience applying AI and large language models in real engineering or manufacturing applications
* Practical familiarity with AI-assisted development techniques, rapid prototyping and modern LLM-driven engineering practices
* Strong understanding of PLC-based systems, industrial control architectures and associated software ecosystems
* Commercial awareness, including the ability to link AI outcomes to margin improvement, scalability, risk reduction and delivery performance
* Experience working in senior technical or R&D leadership roles within complex engineering environments
* Ability to influence across multidisciplinary teams and drive adoption of new technologies
To find out more about Computer Futures please visit
Computer Futures, a trading division of SThree Partnership LLP is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy | Registered office | 8 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4BQ, United Kingdom | Partnership Number | OC(phone number removed) England and Wales
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