Job Description

The core of the global technology department's mission is to provide stable, reliable, and secure platforms and services to our partners, staff and clients and fulfil our regulatory obligations across 30+ countries. To ensure that a consistent and standardized IT service is delivered to all offices, IT is managed and led as a global function, enabling all offices to benefit from complete systems integration and economies of scale. We have around 400 technologists based predominantly in the UK, Singapore and increasingly in the US.

The Team - Enterprise Architecture and Technology Platforms

To develop and maintain the firm's technology strategy and enterprise architecture. In parallel, own, improve and simplify the firm's key technology 'building blocks' by designing, building and managing the core technology platforms which are fundamental to delivering strategic business goals.

What you will do

Reporting to the AI Platform Owner, The Principal AI Engineer will be a senior technical leader responsible for the strategy, design, and implementation of advanced AI and ML use cases across the firm. The role is a member of the AI Platforms team and will work directly with the innovations team in targeting use cases that will benefit from AI.



This individual is accountable for the implementation of the full lifecycle of AI solutions including model development, validation, deployment, and integration into other systems while providing feedback to continue to evolve the AI platform.



The ideal candidate will have a strong background in machine learning, data analysis, and software development. The role will be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing AI solutions to solve complex problems and enhance our products and services resulting in improved experiences for our fee earners and business teams.

Design, develop, and deploy AI models and algorithms to address business challenges. Conduct data analysis and preprocessing to ensure high-quality input for AI models. Implement and optimize AI models for performance and scalability. Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in AI and machine learning technologies. Document and present findings and solutions to stakeholders. Provide technical guidance and mentorship to other engineers. Elevating the firm's engineering practices and fostering a culture of innovation. Champion ethical AI practices and model governance, including bias mitigation, explainability, and compliance with data security and privacy regulations Develop customer relationships with fee earners and business teams to manage the delivery of AI data modelling. Support the Enterprise Architecture & Technology Platforms leadership team to collectively define, implement and operate the firm's AI modeling and deployment. Act as the focal point for matters related to AI data modelling, providing expert guidance to other teams when required. Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

What you will have

Experience:

Direct or related experience in machine learning, deep learning, and AI model development, preferably within the legal or professional services sector. Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, or Java. Experience with AI frameworks and libraries such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or scikit-learn. Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure), experience with Azure a plus. At least 5 years background in the IT industry, with experience leading/mentoring development teams Knowledge of IT strategic planning, design, and operations processes. Knowledge of current IT and data market trends and technology innovations. Knowledge and understanding of AI/ML platforms (eg Azure AI Foundry) and their operational management.

Personal:

Proven stakeholder engagement and communication skills. Proven business acumen and ability to understand how they add value the function, firm or clients. Ability to lead and develop team members. Promotes the firm's values at all times and is comfortable working with a wide range of people and departments.



A&O Shearman is a global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 28 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world's most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.



We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world's leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.



Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development; we are committed to an inclusive environment, and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimize your wellbeing.