Graduate AI & Automation Engineer

Job Title: Graduate AI & Automation Engineer

Contract: Permanent, full-time

Location: Hybrid, Darlington with travel to client sites as required
Department: Technology Operations
Salary: £28,000 per annum

Reports to: AI & Automation Consultancy Lead

About us

Baltic is one of the UK's leading apprenticeship training providers in tech and digital. We train the next generation of talent across software, data and, more recently, AI.

Over the last few years, we have also built something important internally. Our own data, software, automation and AI team has helped take Baltic through a genuine digital transformation. We have built a robust data strategy, automated manual work, improved systems, used AI pragmatically and helped the business make better decisions with better information.

That matters because we are not starting this consultancy from theory. We have done this work ourselves. We know what it is like to take messy processes, disconnected systems and manual tasks, then turn them into something clearer, smarter and scalable.

Now we are taking that experience to small and medium sized businesses.

Our new AI & Automation Consultancy will help organisations take practical, confident steps into automation and AI. We are not interested in hype for the sake of it. We care about useful technology, real business problems and solutions that actually make work better.

This is a genuine ground floor opportunity. You would be one of the first engineers in a new consultancy, joining at the point where your ideas, standards and contribution can shape how we deliver.

About the role

As a Graduate AI & Automation Engineer, you will help design and build practical automation, AI and software solutions for businesses that are ready to improve how they work.

This role is deliberately broad. Some of the work may look like automation. Some of it may involve applied AI. Some of it may be system integration, data, APIs or lightweight software development. What matters most is that you can think clearly, learn quickly and care about solving the right problem properly.

You will not be hidden away doing abstract work with no connection to the real world. You will work on real client problems, with support from experienced people, and you will see the impact of what you build.

We are looking for people with strong foundations, curiosity and the right attitude. You do not need to arrive as the finished article. We want people who are excited by the idea of growing fast, working with clients and building things that make a visible difference.

What you will do

• Build and ship practical solutions, including workflow automation, system integrations, applied AI tools and occasional custom software.
• Help clients understand where they are now, what is possible and where the best first opportunities are.
• Turn everyday business problems into clear, sensible technical solutions.
• Work directly with clients, with support from senior colleagues, and build your confidence over time.
• Document your work clearly so clients can understand, use and build on what we deliver.
• Learn from an internal team that has already delivered data, automation, software and AI transformation inside Baltic.
• As the consultancy grows, help support apprentices working on live projects.

What we are looking for Essential

• A degree at 2:1 or above in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, AI or a related field, or equivalent demonstrable ability.
• Solid programming foundations. Python would be useful, but strong fundamentals in any language matter more.
• Genuine curiosity about how technology, automation, AI, data and software can help businesses work better.
• Clear communication and the ability to explain technical ideas in plain English.
• A proactive mindset, good problem solving instincts and a real eagerness to learn.
• The confidence to try, ask good questions and improve quickly.

Desirable

We do not expect you to have all of these. Any of them would be useful.

• Experience with automation tools such as Power Automate, Zapier, Make or n8n.
• Experience working with APIs or system integrations.
• Exposure to cloud platforms such as Azure, AWS or GCP.
• Familiarity with large language models, applied machine learning or AI tooling.
• Experience with SQL, data analysis or data pipelines.
• Experience building software or taking a project from idea to finished product.
• A placement, personal project, university project or side build that shows initiative.

We care about what you have built, solved or learned, not just what is on your CV.

What you will get from us

• Structured mentoring from people who have done this work in practice.
• Real responsibility and real client work from the start.
• Support to grow into a confident, client facing engineer.
• Exposure to automation, AI, software, systems and data work across different businesses.
• The chance to help shape a new consultancy at the point it is being built.
• A role where your work should be visible, useful and genuinely valuable.

Who this role could suit

This could be a great fit if you are someone who likes building things, solving problems and understanding how businesses actually work.

You might not know yet whether you are more interested in AI, automation, software, data or consulting. That is fine. This role gives you the chance to develop across those areas while doing practical work with real clients.

You will probably enjoy this role if you like:

• turning vague problems into clear solutions
• learning new tools quickly
• building things that people actually use
• explaining technical ideas simply
• working with people, not just technology
• being part of something early, ambitious and growing

How to apply

Apply with your CV and a short note telling us why this role excites you.

We would also like to hear about something you have built, solved or improved that you are proud of. It does not need to be perfect or commercial. It just needs to show how you think, how you learn and what you care about.

We value potential, curiosity and evidence of initiative.

Our Benefits

At Baltic, we're committed to creating an environment where you can thrive - professionally, personally, and socially. Voted one of the Sunday Times Top 100 Best Places to Work 2024, we're proud of our culture, our people, and the meaningful work we do every day.

Culture & Work Life Balance

• A fun, supportive environment with regular social events and team activities
• Early finish every Friday - we operate a 4.5 day working week
• 25+ days annual leave, increasing to 30 with length of service
• No weekend or Bank Holiday working
• Full office closure between Christmas and New Year
• Additional Life Event Day annually for those big moments that matter
• Buy & Sell Holiday Scheme for extra flexibility

Health & Wellbeing

• Free, confidential mental health support through SPILL
• Access to high value wellbeing initiatives, including face to face sessions with a Health & Wellbeing Specialist
• Local discounted gym memberships
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave (after 2 years' service)

Recognition & Engagement

• Baltic Scratch Card Scheme - instant wins for great work
• Baltic Breakfasts, competitions, and engagement days
• Volunteer Day annually to give back to causes you care about

A successful Graduate AI & Automation Engineer team member will embody our core values

• Be the Expert: Continuously develop deep knowledge of systems, processes, and business operations to deliver reliable, data driven insights and solutions that improve performance and efficiency.
• Be the Customer: Deliver responsive, tailored support to internal teams and stakeholders - understanding their needs and challenges to ensure smooth, effective service delivery.
• Be the Future: Champion continuous improvement initiatives by identifying process gaps and innovation opportunities, helping the organisation scale sustainably and stay ahead in a dynamic environment.

By living these values, you'll build strong cross functional relationships, enhance operational excellence, and drive meaningful, lasting improvements across the business.

We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. However, please note that we're currently unable to offer visa sponsorship, so you'll need to have existing right to work in the UK to be considered for this role.