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Shape the Future of AI Innovation Move beyond delivery work into structured R&D where your technical insights directly influence strategic technology decisions. You'll explore cutting-edge AI and automation technologies, build evidence-based recommendations, and help define our innovation roadmap. About the Role We're building a disciplined R&D capability to explore emerging technologies, validate new approaches, and feed high-quality innovation into our Product and Engineering teams. As our AI Research Engineer / Analyst (R&D) , you'll generate the technical evidence that supports strategic decisions. You'll research AI and automation technologies, evaluate vendors and tools, build timeboxed proofs of concept in Python and/or C# (accomplished coding skills required, but this is not a "developer" role), and produce clear, decision-ready outputs. This is not a BAU delivery role. It's structured, evidence-led innovation. You'll report functionally to the Head of R&D, with day-to-day coaching from the Senior R&D Engineer. Salary : £45K - £50K Basic + Bonus + Benefits (25 days holiday, 7% matched pension scheme, private health plan, flexible holiday purchase, remote or hybrid working & much more!) Location : Remote or North East . Hybrid office work / flexible / remote. Durham, Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, etc. Although, we are very flexible to this, so more remote fine. As far down as Leeds or the other way & up toward Edinburgh! What You'll Do Research & Evaluation Scan the market for emerging AI, orchestration, and automation technologies Conduct structured vendor and platform evaluations Assess technical fit, integration complexity, security posture, cost, and viability Stay current with LLMs, AI APIs, frameworks, and cloud services Produce concise evidence packs and recommendation summaries Hands-On Prototyping Build lightweight PoCs to validate APIs and technical hypotheses Explore AI capabilities practically (model behaviour, integration patterns, performance limits) Contribute Python and/or C# code under technical direction Focus: validation and insight - not production-grade implementation. Documentation & Process Own R&D documentation, decision logs, and handover packs Maintain backlog discipline and enforce stage-gate standards Ensure findings are captured clearly and nothing falls through the cracks What You'll Bring Essential 2+ years in a technical analyst, research, or solutions-focused role Hands-on coding ability in Python and/or C# (We need some here, but you'll work with the Senior R&D engineer who will guide you on coding) Practical understanding of AI/ML landscape (LLMs, APIs, strengths & limitations) Strong analytical thinking and structured evaluation skills Excellent written communication - clear, concise, decision-ready outputs Self-directed working style with confident stakeholder engagement Familiarity with workflow orchestration / BPMN fundamentals Desirable Experience building AI-integrated applications API and cloud platform exposure Vendor/technology selection experience Knowledge of process automation or orchestration platforms What Success Looks Like Within your first 90 days, you will have: Contributed to live evidence packs Helped standardise R&D evaluation templates Supported an initiative through to handover-ready recommendation Longer term, success is measured by the clarity, quality, and adoption of your R&D outputs. Why Join Direct exposure to cutting-edge AI and automation Real influence over technology decisions Clear progression into Senior R&D or specialist AI roles Close collaboration with Architecture, Engineering, and Product We're looking for curiosity and rigour in equal measure - someone excited by emerging AI, but disciplined enough to separate signal from noise. Ready to shape our AI innovation strategy? Apply now and help us turn emerging technology into competitive advantage.

Are you keen to join a B Corp certified financial services organisation who put their employees at the heart of everything they do? Are you a Product Owner with strong experience working with wider stakeholders and technical development teams to produce cutting edge financial services products? If so we'd love to hear from you. You'll define product vision with senior stakeholders and translate requirements into reality with technical development teams. A fantastic chance to Help build, grow, mould & shape the Product Roadmap & direction of products Role: Product Owner Salary: Up to £70k base salary Benefits: 25 Days Holiday, Birthday off, Healthcare cash plan, 5% matched pension, Cycle to work, Life assurance etc Location: Manchester - Hybrid working in place (3 days a week in the office) What you will bring to the table: You will be an experienced Product Owner certified would be great and preferably with experience working within the financial services industry NOT ESSENTIAL. We are looking for someone who has previous experience managing the implementation of a customer application portal, preferably within financial services. You will have worked with Agile development teams and will have led daily stand ups and scrum sessions you may even be a qualified Scrum Master. You will be a strong character who can work with all levels of the business, with the ability to influence and make key decisions across multiple teams. If you have experience working in an organisation who provide mortgages and loans this would be highly advantageous. If this sounds like you, click apply and send in a copy of your CV today.