Senior AI Engineer

Job Specification: AI Developer (Azure AI or Copilot Stack)

Role: AI Developer
Contract Length: 6 Months (with potential for extension)
IR35 Status: Outside IR35
Location: London / Hybrid (minimum 1 day per week in the office)
Client: UK Government Organisation

Role Purpose

We are seeking a highly skilled and delivery-focused AI Developer to join a high-profile project within a UK government organisation. Your primary mission will be to design, build, and integrate innovative AI solutions leveraging the Microsoft Azure AI stack, with a specific focus on Microsoft Copilot technologies.

You will be instrumental in developing proof-of-concepts and production-ready applications that enhance public service delivery, improve operational efficiency, and unlock new insights from government data. This role requires a blend of technical expertise, practical problem-solving, and an understanding of secure, public-sector development practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Design & Development: Design, build, and deploy robust AI applications and features using Azure AI Services (e.g., Azure OpenAI, Cognitive Search, Document Intelligence) or Microsoft Copilot Stack.

• Copilot Implementation: Specialise in the development, customisation, and integration of Microsoft Copilot solutions, including Copilot for Microsoft 365 and the development of custom Copilots using Azure AI Studio and Copilot Studio.

• End-to-End Delivery: Take ownership of the end-to-end development lifecycle, from rapid prototyping and proof-of-concept to deploying scalable, secure, and maintainable solutions in a government cloud environment.

• API & Integration: Develop and integrate with APIs and data sources, ensuring seamless connectivity between AI services and existing government systems.

• Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams including data scientists, product managers, and other government stakeholders to translate complex requirements into technical specifications.

• Best Practices & Security: Adhere to and promote government digital service standards, including GDS principles, and ensure all solutions meet stringent security, data protection, and accessibility requirements.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven AI Development Experience: Demonstrable commercial experience in developing and deploying AI solutions, specifically within the Microsoft Azure AI ecosystem.

• Microsoft Copilot / Azure OpenAI: Hands-on, practical experience with Microsoft Copilot (e.g., Copilot for M365, building custom Copilots) or Azure OpenAI Service (GPT models, embeddings, prompt engineering).

• Technical Proficiency: Strong programming skills in Python or C# and experience with relevant SDKs (Azure SDK, LangChain, Semantic Kernel).

• Azure AI Services: Practical experience with several of the following: Azure Cognitive Services (Vision, Speech, Language), Azure AI Search (formerly Cognitive Search), Azure Document Intelligence, and Azure Machine Learning.

• Data & API Integration: Experience integrating AI solutions with databases, APIs, and data pipelines.

• Agile & Version Control: Experience working in Agile delivery environments and proficiency with Git.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Knowledge of information security best practices, particularly those relevant to the Public Sector (e.g., NCSC guidelines).

• Experience with Azure DevOps for CI/CD pipelines.

• Understanding of responsible AI principles, fairness, transparency, and model governance.

• Familiarity with other cloud platforms (AWS, GCP) is a plus but not essential.

Personal Attributes

• Self-Starter: Highly motivated and able to work autonomously with minimal supervision, taking ownership of deliverables.

• Problem-Solver: Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a pragmatic, results-oriented approach.

• Clear Communicator: Ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders clearly and effectively.

• Team Player: Collaborative spirit with a proven ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team.

Morgan Hunt is a multi-award-winning recruitment business for interim, contract and temporary recruitment and acts as an Employment Agency in relation to permanent vacancies. Morgan Hunt is an equal opportunities employer. Job suitability is assessed on merit in accordance with the individual's skills, qualifications and abilities to perform the relevant duties required in a particular role.