AI / ML Engineer

At Forge Holiday Group, we don’t just do holidays, we create memories. With market-leading brands like Sykes Holiday Cottages, Forest Holidays, and Bachcare in New Zealand, we’re 1,700+ strong and powered by four values: One Business One Team, Keep it Simple, Grow & Learn, Sustainable Impact.

Why This Role Stands Out:

• Innovation: Work hands-on with cutting-edge AI/ML tools and techniques to deliver real business impact 🚀
• Leadership: Mentor and collaborate with talented engineers, data scientists, and product teams 🙌
• Culture: People-first, values-driven, creativity & integrity at the core 🌱
• Impact: Shape AI-driven solutions that directly improve customer experience and business decisions 💡

As a Senior AI/ML Engineer, you’ll play a pivotal role in designing, building, and deploying scalable AI and machine learning solutions across Forge Holiday Group. From data pipelines to machine learning models, your work will power customer interactions, internal insights, and commercial decision-making.

You’ll Own:

• Build and maintain end-to-end AI/ML pipelines in Microsoft Fabric
• Design, train, deploy, and monitor machine learning and deep learning models
• Implement MLOps best practices: versioned data & features, CI/CD pipelines, model promotion, and rollback
• Collaborate with data scientists, analytics engineers, product managers, and developers to turn business problems into AI solutions
• Uphold data quality, governance, security, and responsible AI practices
• Evaluate and adopt new tools and technologies to enhance our AI/ML platform
• Mentor junior colleagues and foster a culture of innovation and knowledge sharing

• 💰 Salary: Up to £80,000 per annum
• 👥 Team: Work with cross-functional teams and mentor junior engineers
• 🤖 Tools: Microsoft Fabric, Azure ML, MLflow, Spark, Python, SQL, CI/CD, and ML frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn
• 📊 Scope: End-to-end AI/ML solutions for multi-product, multi-region strategy
• 🤝 Report To: Head of Data Science / CTO
• 🏢 Location: Chester HQ, Hybrid working
• ⏱️ Working Pattern: 37.5 hours, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm

Essential

• Strong experience designing, building and maintaining scalable data pipelines and architectures for AI/ML
• Familiarity with Microsoft Fabric (Data Engineering, Data Science, Real-Time Analytics) and Azure ML, including MLflow
• Proficiency with tools such as Apache Spark, Azure Data Factory, GIT, Python and SQL
• Skilled in developing, training and deploying machine learning models with frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch or Scikit-learn
• Strong understanding of data modelling, data governance, security and responsible AI practices
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to explain technical concepts to varied audiences
• Ability to manage priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment

• Experience with generative AI, large language models (e.g. LangChain, vector databases) and retrieval-augmented generation
• Knowledge of AutoML, hyperparameter tuning and advanced MLflow features
• Experience with streaming and real-time data platforms
• Familiarity with CI/CD, MLOps and deployment pipelines (Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, Docker)
• Commercial awareness in e-commerce, travel or holiday-lettings sectors
• Experience mentoring others or leading technical workstreams

• 🌟 Curious, innovative and passionate about data and AI
• 🌟A team player who values collaboration and honest communication
• 🌟Able to take ownership, work independently and deliver on commitments
• 🌟Supportive and approachable, with a willingness to share knowledge
• 🌟Committed to building ethical AI solutions that respect privacy, security and sustainability

• 💰Annual STIP Company-wide Bonus Scheme offering up to an additional 10% of your salary through our performance-based bonus program
• ✈️ 33 days’ holiday (including bank holidays), plus up to 5 extra with long service.
• 🌴 Option to purchase extra holiday days if you wish.
• 🎂 A day off for your birthday
• ✋🏻 2 volunteering days per year.
• 🍼 Enhanced parental leave (24 weeks maternity, 3 weeks paternity at full pay).
• 🔒 Pension scheme with employer contributions
• 🏠 Discounted and last-minute stays at Forest Holidays and Sykes Cottages for you, your friends & family.
• 🛍️ Special offers and discounts designed to enhance your overall wellbeing.
• ❤️‍🩹Health cash plan & life assurance.
• 📈 Training & development opportunities.
• 💛 24/7 mental health support.
• 🏋🏻‍♂️ On-site gym and parking at Chester HQ (near train station).
• 🐖 Employee savings scheme
• 🎉Long service awards and company events

Ready to build intelligent AI solutions that drive real impact? Apply now or share with someone exceptional.