Hiring AI talent: Key roles you need in your AI team

When hiring AI talent, there’s a multitude of AI-related job titles that seem designed to confuse. What’s the difference between a data engineer and a data scientist? Why are there so many programming languages (and which one should you hire for)? 

Let’s break it down, shall we? In this article, we highlight the key data and AI roles we think are essential, and explain what each job entails. 

Data engineer 

Data engineers build systems that gather, store, manage and convert raw data into a format that business analysts and data scientists (more on them coming up) can interpret. Core tasks for data engineers might include: acquiring datasets; building, testing and maintaining database pipeline architectures (from data source to end use); developing algorithms that convert raw data into useable information; and ensuring compliance with data security and governance policies.

‘Why should I hire a data engineer?’ you ask. Because the average business today has the potential to collect extraordinary amounts of data. Data engineers ensure all that data is usable and can be turned into insights. Basically, they work to make data accessible.

SME data architect 

SME data architects are subject matter experts who design and implement the organisation’s data infrastructure – so, the policies, procedures, models and technologies related to the collection, storage and analysis of data. (The data architect designs data systems, while the data engineer, above, builds the systems according to the design.) Core tasks for SME data architects might include: designing and implementing a data infrastructure, including enterprise databases and data warehouse systems; designing systems with integration, compliance, security and scalability in mind; and ensuring systems offer the required business functionality.

‘Why should I hire an SME data architect?’ Because this high-level position is all about the big picture – business intelligence, data procedures, and how best to turn data into actionable insights. 

Data scientist 

Data scientists (also referred to as data analysts) analyse datasets to extract knowledge. As such, they’re skilled not just in data and technology, but also business, communications, mathematics, statistics and probability. Core tasks for data scientists might include: analysing and interpreting data to unearth patterns; formulating predictions based on data; writing queries for databases using programming languages; and translating data into insights that business users can act upon.

‘Why should I hire a data scientist?’ Because they extract actionable, business-critical insights from data – the kind of insights that help you make better decisions, optimise processes, solve problems, and design better products/services. 

ML (machine learning) engineer 

ML engineers design and build the systems that take massive datasets and use them to train ML algorithms. From this, come the AI systems that can generate actionable insights, predict outcomes and learn cognitive tasks. Core tasks for ML engineers might include: researching and designing ML systems; implementing ML algorithms; and running AI systems tests. 

‘Why should I hire an ML engineer?’ Because this role is essential if you want to build workable AI solutions.

Python developer

Python developers are responsible for coding development projects using the Python programming language. Core tasks for Python developers might include: writing, testing, and maintaining back-end code in the Python language; integrating different systems with Python script; and identifying and correcting errors in code (debugging).

‘Why should I hire a Python developer?’ Because Python is an excellent programming language used by companies like Google and Netflix – and a good choice for AI projects. 

AI consultant 

An AI consultant is a specialist advisor who bridges the gap between a company’s strategic business needs and the technical side of AI. Core tasks for AI consultants might include: guiding the business on potential AI use cases; steering leadership through the complex world of AI adoption; ensuring AI projects align with business needs and deliver value; helping to design and implement AI solutions; and facilitating education and change management.

‘Why should I hire an AI consultant?’ Because they possess both deep AI knowledge, and the business acumen needed to apply AI strategically. 

Technical project manager

Like regular project managers, technical project managers lead projects from start to finish. However, as well as project management skills, they also have expertise in IT. Core tasks for technical project managers might include: working with IT and other technical staff to lead tech projects; hiring and training technical staff; and managing the budget.

‘Why should I hire a technical project manager?’ Because for AI projects, a regular project manager won’t cut the mustard. 

Hiring AI talent for your business

Now that you’ve got a good understanding of the different AI-related roles, you’re probably left with one big question … ‘Where can I hire the best data engineers, SME data architects, data scientists, ML engineers, Python developers, AI consultants and technical project managers?’ 

The answer is simple: head to Roc Search. As one of the leading AI recruitment agencies in the UK, Germany and the US, finding top AI talent is our bread and butter.