Jobs in London - Applied AI Engineer (UK-Based) • Central London

Company: GenFinance.AI

Central London

Applied AI EngineerLocation: Bristol or London (In-person + hybrid option)Employment Type: Full-timeStart Date: June-September 2026Salary: £35,000 to £55,000Application: RollingAbout GenFinance.AIGenFinance.AI is the UK's emerging leader in bringing generative AI to finance and accounting professionals.Our mission: To accelerate the world's finance professionals through rapid, reliable and responsible AI.We work with the institutions that matter: the ICAEW, finance teams in £20m to £150m businesses, and accounting practices navigating the AI transition. We do not build AI models. We deploy them, train people to use them, and advise leadership on adoption strategy.Since launching in June 2024, we have achieved 72% operating margins and repeat contracts with blue-chip clients. Our work includes developing the ICAEW GenAI Accelerator Programme, accessible to 200,000+ members with 250+ videos and 500+ practical use cases.We are building the founding team that will make GenFinance the definitive name in AI for finance.About the FounderPeter Beard has over ten years of experience in finance and accounting. At Ernst and Young (EY), he managed a range of audits (including FTSE and EURO Stoxx 50-listed), contributing to EY's AI research and leading technology transformation projects. Peter was awarded twice by EY UK for his "Significant contributions to innovation initiatives" and "Exceptional technical proficiency and quality commitment".The ICAEW GenAI Accelerator Programme has been produced in collaboration with Peter and GenFinance.AI.He now sits on two ICAEW Advisory Boards (Audit and Assurance Faculty, Members and Commercial Board) and is an Advisory Board Member for the FD Show launching at ExCeL London in 2026. He holds a Perplexity AI Fellowship, connecting him with leaders from Perplexity, Nvidia, Ramp, and other technology companies.LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/peterbeardacaWhat We BelieveRapid, reliable, responsible Generative AI needs all three to be successfully implemented. Miss one and it fails. We do not compromise on any of them.Trust is a precious commodity In finance and accounting, trust is the currency that matters most. It takes years to build and seconds to destroy. Everything we do must earn, protect and extend that trust.Speed of thought Generative AI is the step closer for humans to work at the speed of thought. That is the standard we are building towards.From cost centre to value maker Finance teams should make money, not just count it. We help them make that shift.First principles thinking This is the bedrock of effective decision making. No assumptions. Solve from the ground up.The back office is neglected Everyone is chasing the prize for the front office. Meanwhile, the back office of GenAI adoption is largely ignored, despite real demand from business owners. That is where we focus.Lasting change, not demos Value is created through lasting work with customers that truly changes their results and work patterns. It means they can go home slightly earlier. It means they can take that project off the shelf because they have saved the time. It means they can cut prices to consumers so everyone benefits. That is what success looks like.How We WorkWe operate with a flat organisational structure. All employees are expected to be hands-on and to contribute directly to the company's mission. Leadership is given to those who show initiative and consistently deliver excellence. Work ethic and strong prioritisation skills are important.This is not a place where you wait to be told what to do. If that does not excite you, this is not the right role.About the RoleThis is a founding team role. We are a lean company, just a handful of people building something that matters. You will be joining at the ground floor, not as employee number fifty.You will be the person who knows our tools better than anyone. How they work, where they break, and how to connect them to real business data. You will work directly with the founder to build GenFinance's technical capability from the ground up: mastering Model Context Protocol (MCP), testing every serious AI tool on the market, and creating the playbooks that let us deploy AI for clients rapidly and reliably.Everything you build will be used. By clients, by the team, and by the thousands of finance professionals who will come to rely on our guidance.Here is what you will actually do:Become an expert-level user of generative AI platforms (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Perplexity, Grok)Master Model Context Protocol (MCP), API, and build our library of data integrationsTest, evaluate, and grade AI tools for financeParticipate in research, both field and desk, to help disseminate signal from noise. We are the ones who help our clients decipher what matters, with the trust that has been earned.Create setup guides, scripts, and documentation for rapid client deploymentConduct research on AI developments and translate findings into practical insightsContribute to published thought leadership contentSupport client engagements by handling technical integration questionsHelp develop proprietary AI tools, from proof-of-concept to client demosRepresent GenFinance in our online community, fielding technical questionsThis is a startup. The nature of a founding team role means there will be ancillary tasks beyond your core remit. You will need to be open to what the business needs. It is a varied role, and that is part of what makes it valuable.Why This Role Matters (For You)If you are hungry to grow, this is your shot.You will get exposure to every major AI platform before most people know they exist. You will work directly with a founder who has Big 4 technology and AI advisory experience. You will shape a company's technical direction, not just execute someone else's vision.Your skill set will grow exponentially faster here than it would inside a larger company. You will develop more in one year than in three elsewhere.More importantly, you will help an entire profession work better. If you find meaning in that kind of work, you will love this role.If you are not ready for a fast-paced environment where you figure things out yourself, this is not the role for you.To Win In This Role, You NeedRequired:Demonstrated obsession with generative AI tools. Daily usage, pushed limits, informed opinions.Deeply curious about the world and likes to connect dotsTechnical ability to work with APIs, read documentation, and figure out integrations independentlyStrong written communication. You can explain complex concepts to non-technical audiences.Self-directed learning. You do not wait to be told what to explore.Comfort working hard and solving hard problemsExcitement for the challenge of a founding team, not looking for structure handed to youPreferred:BSc or MSc in a related field (Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, or similar)Experience with MCP or similar data integration approachesBackground in a technical role (software development, data engineering, technical consulting)Familiarity with finance or accounting conceptsPrevious use or experience with accounting software (Xero, Sage, Oracle NetSuite, SAP)Experience producing technical content (blogs, documentation, tutorials)Not Required:Machine learning research experience. We deploy models, we do not build them.ResultsYou will be measured on outcomes that matter:Build and maintain GenFinance's integration capability. The playbooks, documentation, and tooling for any client deployment.Create the industry's most trusted AI tool directory for finance professionalsProduce published content that establishes GenFinance as a technical authoritySupport successful client deployments with zero integration failuresContribute to product development that results in working prototypes in front of real clientsHelp secure technical partnerships with major AI platform providersLocation and EnvironmentBristol or London. In person We come to the office because the best work happens in unexpected moments of collaboration. We will give you focused work zones and the assets you need to succeed. Quality equipment, proper setup, the tools to do your best work.Work from home can be offered. Once we know your capability to get the job done, flexibility follows.Visa sponsorship is possible for exceptional candidates who also demonstrate exceptional technical English speaking ability.Benefits£35,000 to £55,000 base salary (dependent on experience)£1,500 annual learning and development stipend to focus on your interests in the fieldPension contributionsFree gym membershipQuality equipment (Mac, etc.)Various discounts and perksEquity participation discussed with exceptional candidatesInterview ProcessApplication review. CV, LinkedIn, and application form (see below)Initial chat. Get to know each other, discuss basic qualifications and mutual fitProject. Demonstrate your hands-on capability with generative AI, and your ability to explain something complex clearlyFinal conversation. Meet the founder, discuss the role in detailOur goal is to complete the process within two weeks of first contact.We believe recruitment should be a good experience regardless of outcome. Every candidate who completes an interview will receive specific feedback and a decision within 14 business days.To ApplyApply via LinkedIn AND complete the application form.Application form: https://forms.gle/pvFgU9gxvGv9hBL2AWe will only consider applications that include both. If you have only clicked "Easy Apply" without completing the form, your application will not be reviewed. This is not bureaucracy. It is how we identify candidates with genuine interest versus passive applicants.This is a rolling application. We will review applications on an ongoing basis until the role is filled.