Joining Arup Arup’s purpose, shared values, and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world. Arup works on some of the world's most complex challenges across the built and natural environment, from designing the infrastructure and cities of the future to improving how critical systems operate today. Artificial intelligence is opening up new ways to address these challenges. We are investing in our AI and machine learning capabilities to explore what is possible, develop innovative approaches and deliver practical solutions for our clients. This is an opportunity to work at the intersection of advanced technology and real-world engineering, alongside specialists from across Arup's global business. You'll have access to interesting problems, the freedom to explore new ideas and the opportunity to shape how AI is applied across our projects and markets. The Opportunity We are looking for an ambitious and curious AI/ML Engineer to play a key role in developing and delivering our AI capabilities across the Americas. Above all, we want someone who is excited by problems and the potential of AI to solve them. Someone who enjoys working with engineers, scientists, designers and consultants to understand complex challenges, recognise where new technologies could make a difference, and turn those opportunities into practical solutions. The role spans applications across infrastructure, energy, transport, water, buildings and the environment. You might be developing predictive models for critical infrastructure, applying computer vision to understand the physical world, using generative AI to transform engineering workflows, or exploring entirely new approaches to longstanding challenges. You will be a key technical member of our growing AI/ML team, with the opportunity to lead projects, shape technical approaches and develop junior colleagues. We also want someone who embraces the changing nature of software development. We encourage the use of AI-assisted coding, agents and emerging development tools to accelerate experimentation, improve productivity and rethink how technical solutions are built. You'll have the opportunity to explore these tools, bring new approaches into our work and help others adopt them effectively.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead AI/ML projects: Take technical ownership of projects from identifying opportunities and developing concepts through to building, validating and deploying solutions.
- Explore new applications of AI: Work with specialists across Arup to understand their challenges, identify where AI could add value and develop creative approaches to solving problems.
- Develop technical solutions: Design and build machine learning models, AI applications and supporting data pipelines, selecting the most appropriate technologies for each challenge.
- Embrace AI-assisted development: Make effective use of AI coding assistants, agents and emerging tools to accelerate development, experiment with new ideas and improve how we deliver technical work, while maintaining quality and technical rigour.
- Develop our team: Mentor junior engineers and data scientists, provide technical guidance, share knowledge and help build a collaborative and ambitious technical team.
- Shape our AI capability: Contribute to client discussions, proposals, technical strategy and the development of reusable solutions that can be applied across projects and markets.
This is a role with considerable variety, autonomy and opportunity to grow. You'll be encouraged to challenge conventional approaches, explore emerging technologies and help define how Arup uses AI to solve some of the most important challenges facing our clients and communities. At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective – in which we encourage individuality to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas. You will have the opportunity to do socially useful work that has meaning – to Arup, to your career, to our members and to the clients and communities we serve. Is this role right for you? We are particularly interested in people who are motivated by the potential of AI, enjoy tackling unfamiliar problems and want to take responsibility for technical delivery and developing others.
- Background and experience: A degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, data science or a related field, with typically 5+ years of relevant experience applying AI/ML to practical problems, including experience leading technical work.
- Strong technical skills: Proficiency in Python and modern machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow or scikit-learn, alongside experience with data engineering, cloud technologies and deploying models into practical applications.
- Curiosity and adaptability: A broad interest in AI technologies, including predictive modelling, computer vision, large language models, generative AI and agentic systems. Enthusiasm for using AI-assisted development tools and experimenting with new ways of working.
- Problem-solving and communication: The ability to understand unfamiliar technical challenges, work with specialists from different backgrounds and translate complex ideas into clear, practical solutions.
- Leadership and collaboration: Experience taking ownership of technical projects, mentoring junior colleagues and working collaboratively to deliver high-quality outcomes.
We value intellectual curiosity, practical judgement and a willingness to tackle difficult problems as much as expertise in any individual technology. We are looking for someone who wants to keep learning, enjoys building things and is excited about what AI could make possible. Please note that all applicants must apply directly via the job portal. If this role is not quite what you are looking for, but you are interested in other opportunities for a future with purpose, please sign up to our Talent Community where you will be kept up to date with roles suitable for you to shape a better world. What we offer you At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together. Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognizes the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do. We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts. Benefits at Work – At Arup, we have a comprehensive and valuable benefits program that works for our employees and their families while keeping costs low. These benefits provide health and welfare security for you as well as paid time off for rest and renewal. As a member of Arup, everyone shares in our success through a global profit share scheme (payments are dependent on the firm’s financial performance). Our Global Profit Share Plan (paid bi-annually) provides an opportunity for you to share in the success of the Firm. As a valued employee of Arup, you can also choose to participate in our 401(k) plan with up to 10% company match to help you save for your future. Flexible Working – We believe that flexible arrangements create a more inclusive way of working that supports our diversity and the wellbeing of our people. Options for alternative schedules and the ability to work outside of the office for a portion of your workweek are available. New York City, New York – United States of America Hiring Range – The good faith base salary hiring range for this job if performed in New York City is $115,000 to $125,000 per year. This range is commensurate with experience, educational background, and skill level. Benefits are not included in the base salary. Please note hiring ranges for candidates performing work outside of New York City will differ. Different People, Shared Values Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence. Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup. Our Application Process We will be reviewing our candidates for this position on a rolling basis. Once you have applied you will be evaluated and potentially moved on to the next round, at which point a member of the talent resourcing team will reach out to you directly. Arup is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, spouse of a protected veteran, or disability. Stay safe online. Recruitment fraud is on the rise, and Arup’s name, logo, and branding have been used in fraudulent job advertisements. Arup will never ask for bank information as part of our recruitment process.