Head of Artificial Intelligence – Smart Manufacturing

Bristol
8 months ago
Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Head of Data Science

Head of Retail & Customer Insight

Head of Manufacturing Engineering

Head of Electronic Engineering

Head of Consumer Insights

Lead Engineer/Head of Software Engineering

Head of Artificial Intelligence – Smart Manufacturing

A UK-based manufacturing group, headquartered in Bristol, is undergoing a full-scale digital transformation — placing AI and machine learning at the heart of its operational strategy.

To lead this journey, we are hiring a Head of Artificial Intelligence to define, build, and scale enterprise-grade AI solutions across production, supply chain, and predictive analytics.

This is a senior leadership role with board visibility and direct influence on the strategic roadmap of a business at the forefront of Industry 4.0.

Key Responsibilities



Define and lead the company-wide AI vision and roadmap.

*

Hire and manage a high-performance team of ML Engineers and Data Scientists.

*

Oversee the delivery of AI projects, from pilot to full deployment, across smart factory operations.

*

Translate manufacturing business needs into scalable AI/ML solutions.

*

Represent the AI function in strategic meetings with board members and external stakeholders.

What We're Looking For

*

Proven experience leading AI teams within a manufacturing or industrial setting.

*

Strong hands-on knowledge of machine learning, predictive maintenance, and/or digital twins.

*

Technical proficiency in Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, or similar frameworks.

*

Excellent communication skills and stakeholder management experience at the senior level.

*

Bristol-based or open to commuting 1–2 days a week to the HQ.

What’s on Offer

*

Highly visible strategic leadership position in a business poised for growth.

*

Influence over multi-million-pound investment decisions in AI and tech.

*

Generous bonus and potential equity package.

*

Flexibility to shape and build a world-class AI function from the ground up.

Apply Now
Submit your CV today to explore this exciting opportunity to lead AI innovation from the ground up in Bristol’s industrial heartland

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Maths for Robotics Jobs: The Only Topics You Actually Need (& How to Learn Them)

If you are applying for robotics jobs in the UK it is easy to assume you need degree level maths across everything. Most roles do not work like that. What hiring managers usually mean by “strong maths” is much more practical: you can move confidently between coordinate frames you understand rotations without getting lost you can reason about kinematics, control, uncertainty & optimisation you can turn that maths into working code in a robotics stack This guide focuses on the only maths topics that consistently show up across common UK roles like Robotics Software Engineer, Controls Engineer, Autonomous Systems Engineer, Perception Engineer, SLAM Engineer, Robotics Research Engineer, Mechatronics Engineer & Robotics Systems Engineer. You will also get a 6 week learning plan, portfolio projects & a resources section so you can learn fast without drowning in theory.

Neurodiversity in Robotics Careers: Turning Different Thinking into a Superpower

Robotics is where software, hardware & the physical world collide. From warehouse automation & surgical robots to drones, cobots & autonomous vehicles, robots must sense, think & act reliably in messy real environments. To build that kind of technology, you need people who think differently. If you live with ADHD, autism or dyslexia, you may have been told your brain is “too distracted”, “too literal” or “too chaotic” for engineering. In reality, many traits that made school or traditional offices hard are exactly what robotics teams need: intense focus on complex systems, pattern-spotting in sensor data, creative problem-solving when hardware misbehaves. This guide is written for neurodivergent job seekers exploring robotics careers in the UK. We’ll cover: What neurodiversity means in a robotics context How ADHD, autism & dyslexia strengths map to key robotics roles Practical workplace adjustments you can ask for under UK law How to talk about your neurodivergence in applications & interviews By the end, you’ll have a clearer sense of where you might thrive in robotics – & how to turn “different thinking” into a professional superpower.

Robotics Hiring Trends 2026: What to Watch Out For (For Job Seekers & Recruiters)

As we move into 2026, the UK robotics jobs market is in a strange but interesting place. On one hand, UK manufacturers, logistics firms and warehouses must automate to stay competitive, tackle labour shortages and meet productivity and net-zero targets. On the other hand, the UK still lags badly behind peers in robot adoption, with relatively low robot density in factories compared with other advanced economies – which is both a challenge and a massive opportunity. The National Robotarium +1 Add in AI, computer vision and edge computing, and you get a robotics landscape that is: More selective in hiring. More focused on real operational outcomes. More integrated with software, data and safety standards. Whether you are a robotics job seeker planning your next move, or a recruiter building automation and robotics teams, this guide explores the key robotics hiring trends for 2026.