AVP - AI Platform Engineer

Join Us as an AVP AI Platform Engineer – Shape the Future of AI at Barclays.

We’re excited to launch a groundbreaking initiative at Barclays - building a next-generation platform that empowers front-office developers (Quants and Strats) to create high-performance, AI-driven applications. As an AVP AI Platform Engineer, you’ll be involved in designing, building, and scaling robust platform components that enable advanced AI/ML workloads across both on-premises and cloud environments.

This is a hands-on engineering role where your expertise will directly influence how we deliver secure, scalable, and innovative solutions. You’ll collaborate with diverse teams, solve complex challenges, and help shape the technical direction of a platform that will transform how AI is leveraged in financial services.

To be successful as an AVP AI Platform Engineer at this level, you should have experience with:

Proven experience in Python engineering, with a focus on backend and infrastructure tooling.

Deep knowledge of AWS services (IAM, KMS, CloudFormation, API Gateway, S3, Lambda, ECS, Glue, Step Functions, MSK, EKS, Bedrock).

Experience scaling platforms for AI/ML workloads and integrating generative AI tooling.

Understanding of secure software development, cloud cost optimization, and platform observability.

Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

Demonstrated capability to guide engineering teams and influence technical strategy.

Some other highly valued skills may include:

 Experience with MLOps platforms such as Databricks or SageMaker, and familiarity with hybrid cloud strategies (Azure, on-prem Kubernetes).

Strong understanding of AI infrastructure for scalable model serving, distributed training, and GPU orchestration.

Expertise in Large Language Models (LLMs) and Small Language Models (SLMs), including fine-tuning and deployment for enterprise use cases.

Hands-on experience with Hugging Face libraries and tools for model training, evaluation, and deployment.

Knowledge of agentic frameworks (e.g., LangChain, AutoGen) and Model Context Protocol (MCP) for building autonomous AI workflows and interoperability.

Awareness of emerging trends in GenAI platforms, open-source MLOps, and cloud-native AI solutions

You may be assessed on the key critical skills relevant for success in role, such as risk and controls, change and transformation, business acumen strategic thinking and digital and technology, as well as job-specific technical skills.

This role can be based out of our Glasgow or Canary Wharf office.

Purpose of the role

To design, develop and improve software, utilising various engineering methodologies, that provides business, platform, and technology capabilities for our customers and colleagues. 

Accountabilities

Development and delivery of high-quality software solutions by using industry aligned programming languages, frameworks, and tools. Ensuring that code is scalable, maintainable, and optimized for performance.

Cross-functional collaboration with product managers, designers, and other engineers to define software requirements, devise solution strategies, and ensure seamless integration and alignment with business objectives.

Collaboration with peers, participate in code reviews, and promote a culture of code quality and knowledge sharing.

Stay informed of industry technology trends and innovations and actively contribute to the organization’s technology communities to foster a culture of technical excellence and growth.

Adherence to secure coding practices to mitigate vulnerabilities, protect sensitive data, and ensure secure software solutions.

Implementation of effective unit testing practices to ensure proper code design, readability, and reliability.

Assistant Vice President Expectations

To advise and influence decision making, contribute to policy development and take responsibility for operational effectiveness. Collaborate closely with other functions/ business divisions.

Lead a team performing complex tasks, using well developed professional knowledge and skills to deliver on work that impacts the whole business function. Set objectives and coach employees in pursuit of those objectives, appraisal of performance relative to objectives and determination of reward outcomes

If the position has leadership responsibilities, People Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standard. The four LEAD behaviours are: L – Listen and be authentic, E – Energise and inspire, A – Align across the enterprise, D – Develop others.

OR for an individual contributor, they will lead collaborative assignments and guide team members through structured assignments, identify the need for the inclusion of other areas of specialisation to complete assignments. They will identify new directions for assignments and/ or projects, identifying a combination of cross functional methodologies or practices to meet required outcomes.

Consult on complex issues; providing advice to People Leaders to support the resolution of escalated issues.

Identify ways to mitigate risk and developing new policies/procedures in support of the control and governance agenda.

Take ownership for managing risk and strengthening controls in relation to the work done.

Perform work that is closely related to that of other areas, which requires understanding of how areas coordinate and contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the organisation sub-function.

Collaborate with other areas of work, for business aligned support areas to keep up to speed with business activity and the business strategy.

Engage in complex analysis of data from multiple sources of information, internal and external sources such as procedures and practises (in other areas, teams, companies, etc).to solve problems creatively and effectively.

Communicate complex information. 'Complex' information could include sensitive information or information that is difficult to communicate because of its content or its audience.

Influence or convince stakeholders to achieve outcomes.

All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship – our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive – the operating manual for how we behave