Head of Exploratory R&D - Industrial AI

We’re partnering with a global industrial technology company to appoint a senior AI research and innovation leader who will help shape its long-term approach to emerging AI.

This is a highly exploratory role sitting at the intersection of frontier AI research, technical strategy and industrial application .

You’ll be responsible for identifying important developments across the AI landscape, determining what has genuine potential versus hype, and turning the strongest ideas into prototypes and early-stage technology initiatives.

The opportunity

You’ll have the freedom to investigate emerging areas of AI, build and test new concepts, and influence where a major industrial technology organisation invests next.

The role will involve:

• Exploring emerging AI research, models and architectures


• Building and validating experimental AI concepts


• Taking promising ideas from research through early incubation


• Evaluating new approaches across foundation models and the wider AI ecosystem


• Identifying opportunities for AI within complex industrial environments


• Working closely with senior technical, product and business leaders


• Communicating emerging technology opportunities to executive stakeholders


• Building and mentoring a high-calibre AI R&D team

Someone with 10+ years of experience across AI/ML, applied research, advanced R&D or technology innovation , ideally combining deep technical capability with the ability to influence at executive level.

You’ll likely have:

• Deep knowledge of modern AI and foundation models


• A strong research and experimentation mindset


• Experience taking emerging technologies from concept towards real-world application


• Exposure to AI within industrial, engineering, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing or other complex physical environments


• Strong technical credibility, ideally supported by publications, patents or recognised research contributions


• Experience presenting complex technical ideas to senior executives


• Previous technical leadership and/or team-building experience


• An advanced degree in Computer Science, AI, Applied Mathematics or a related technical discipline is highly desirable

This is a rare opportunity for someone who wants to stay close to frontier AI research while having the resources and influence to determine how those technologies could be applied to real-world industrial problems.