AI Engineering Lead – Construction Innovation

We are seeking a visionary AI Engineering Lead to spearhead the integration of AI solutions within our construction operations. This role is pivotal in establishing our new Research & Development (R&D) department, focusing on developing advanced AI models tailored to real-world construction challenges. 

As the first AI hire, you will design foundational systems from scratch in a high-autonomy, high-trust environment where ambiguity is the norm and creativity is currency. You don’t need a background in construction, but you do need to care enough to walk a site, study procurement flows, and interrogate why a façade costs what it does

The successful candidate will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to design, implement, and refine AI-driven tools that streamline internal processes and set new industry standards. You’ll work directly with the founding family and leadership team. Emotional intelligence, clarity in communication, and humility are non-negotiable for success in this role. Success in this role means delivering AI tools that are not only technically impressive but also trusted and adopted by site managers, estimators, and procurement leads alike.

Key Responsibilities

Analyse existing datasets to develop AI models capable of:

• Estimating and pricing construction projects
• Reviewing and interpreting contracts
• Optimising procurement and material purchasing
• Assisting in design processes
• Collaborate with IT and operational teams to integrate AI solutions into existing systems and workflows
• Lead research projects aimed at identifying innovative AI applications within construction
• Work closely with project managers, procurement officers, and design teams
• Provide training and support to staff on the use of AI tools

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

Essential:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, AI, ML, or related field
• Proven experience in developing and deploying AI models
• Strong proficiency in Python, R, or Java
• Experience with ML frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch
• Strong first-principles reasoning
• Excellent communication skills, particularly an ability to distil complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Ability to anticipate context and drive outcomes
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills

Desirable:

• Familiarity with construction processes and procurement systems
• Experience in R&D environments
• Willingness to challenge the status quo