The department is now inviting applications for a quintet of vacant positions for developers to work with frontline staff to create new tools to be implemented across the justice system

The Ministry of Justice is seeking five expert engineers to join its specialised artificial intelligence operation and help “build and deploy AI products that have real-world impact across courts, prisons, and probation services”.

The department is currently accepting applications for the quintet of positions in the role of forward-deployed engineer. The posts come with a salary of £71,381 and £85,257, depending on experience and location.

The appointed candidates will sit in the Justice AI Unit which has a remit to “build and ship products quickly across the Ministry of Justice… [that] deliver better outcomes, faster services, and greater fairness for all”, according to the job advert.

“You’ll work directly with frontline staff to understand their needs, co-develop solutions, and own the full delivery lifecycle, from problem discovery to product deployment and scale,” the advert adds. “This is a hands-on, high-agency role for engineers who want to work at pace, across the full AI and software stack, and in service of one of the most complex and vital systems in the country.”

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Potential applicants are advised that “ee value curiosity, pragmatism, and the ability to work in ambiguity”, with the MoJ adding that “if you don’t meet all of the experience below, don’t worry – we’re looking for people who can learn quickly on the job and adapt to a rapidly evolving landscape”.

Key responsibilities of the post will include working “directly in the field” in the likes of courts, prisons, and probation services to help better understand the challenges faced by frontline workers. The engineers will then  be expected to“develop high-impact AI products, models and agents that will be widely used”, and will “own end-to-end delivery: from identifying the problem, building the product, deploying it, and scaling adoption”.

Applications for the roles are open at 11:55 pm on 28 September.