Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Engineer (KTP Associate)

Job Details

• Employer: University of Salford
• Location: Heywood
• Salary: £37,000 - £42,000
• Project duration: 36 months
• Closing date listed: 31 October 2026

About the Role

Develop AI tools that help R&B Switchgear read engineering drawings and specifications and produce accurate parts lists and costed quotations. The project combines computer vision, language processing and large language models, with support from the University of Salford.

A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) brings a university and a business together to apply research to a practical business project.

Main Responsibilities

• Develop an AI system that interprets single-line diagrams (SLDs) and engineering specifications.
• Convert information from drawings and text into Bills of Materials, which list the parts needed, and costed quotations.
• Combine visual and text information in a single system.
• Make the system’s outputs explainable so staff can understand how engineering decisions were reached.
• Build security into deployment for use in regulated sectors.
• Introduce AI, data engineering and automation skills across the estimation workflow.
• Help improve efficiency, consistency and capacity in engineering and operational work.

Essential Requirements

• At least a 2:1 BEng or BSc in computer science, AI, data science, machine learning or a related subject.
• Knowledge and demonstrated experience applying machine learning to practical problems.
• Experience in computer vision, natural language processing and large language models.
• Experience developing, testing and deploying machine learning models.
• Understanding of data engineering, software development and AI deployment.

Read the official person specification for the full appointment criteria.

Desirable Experience

• Experience in safe AI, cyber security or regulated environments.

Benefits and Support

• Work with academic and industry partners on a practical engineering project.
• Experience developing secure, explainable AI that handles both drawings and text.
• Opportunities to help establish AI and automation skills within the business. The saved advert does not state a separate development budget.

About the Employer

R&B Switchgear Services designs, manufactures and services low-voltage switchgear and power distribution systems. Its equipment is used in hospitals, data centres, ships and industrial settings. The group has manufacturing headquarters in Manchester and operations internationally.