AI & Digital Transformation (KTP Associate)

Heron Manufacture Limited, in partnership with Ulster University, has established a 3-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Project and is offering an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and highly motivated Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, Digital Manufacturing or related graduate/postgraduate to work as a KTP Associate.

The Associate will oversee the development of a bespoke AI-enabled digital transformation platform that will improve estimating accuracy, support faster and more consistent quotation generation, enhance production planning, and provide data-driven decision support across Heron’s bespoke joinery operations.

This is an excellent opportunity to lead a strategically important innovation project within a successful manufacturing business, while being supported by academic experts from Ulster University. The role will suit a candidate who is technically strong, commercially aware, and motivated by the opportunity to apply AI, machine learning and digital transformation in a real-world manufacturing environment.

Skills and Experience

Applicants should hold an honours degree, at 2:1 or above, in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, Engineering, Digital Manufacturing, Business Analytics, or a closely related discipline. A relevant postgraduate qualification would be advantageous but is not essential.

The Associate should have good skills and experience in three or more of the following areas:

• Practical experience in artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive modelling or applied data science.
• Strong programming skills, particularly in Python, and experience using common data science, machine learning or software development libraries and frameworks.
• Experience of working with real-world datasets, including data cleaning, data engineering, feature extraction, model development, testing and validation.
• Knowledge of natural language processing, large language models, generative AI or AI-assisted workflow automation.
• Experience of software development, systems integration, dashboard development, user interface design or deployment of digital tools within business environments.
• An understanding of digital transformation, business process improvement, workflow mapping, or change management.
• Awareness of manufacturing, construction, supply chain, estimating, pricing or production planning environments.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to non-technical colleagues.
• Good project management, problem-solving and organisational skills, with the ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.

The successful candidate will be ambitious, curious and commercially aware, with the confidence to work across both academic and industrial environments. They should be comfortable engaging with staff at all levels of the business, gathering requirements, developing technical solutions, supporting adoption, and demonstrating the value of AI-enabled digital transformation.

Benefits

This KTP project provides a unique opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills to a real industry challenge whilst benefitting from industrial and academic supervision and mentoring from Ulster University’s experts Dr Rafferty and Prof Cadden who will enhance your technical expertise in Machine Learning and the application of cutting edge Artificial Intelligence. As a KTP Associate you will also acquire new skills in strategic leadership that can help to super-charge your career. Additional benefits include:

• Generous £15k Training, Development, equipment & Travel Budget dedicated to project delivery, which include but not limited to trainings and courses to enhance research skills as well as for critical networking with key players in the field, specific project equipment etc.
• FREE formal management training and development
• FREE University postgraduate part-time study opportunities at Ulster University (where appropriate).
• 10% Associate development time built into work plan
• Opportunity to work with academics to develop scientific articles to be published in peer-reviewed, world-class academic journals
• Competitive salary
• Enhanced skills and experience that are marketable and highly transferable
• KTPs accelerate careers

The KTP will focus on developing and embedding a digital transformation strategy underpinned by artificial intelligence and data-driven tools within Heron Manufacture Limited’s bespoke joinery operations. The project will support the business in moving from largely manual, craft- and experience-led processes towards a more intelligent, scalable and data-informed manufacturing model.

The project will develop an intuitive, AI-enabled system that can support customer enquiry triage, requirements summarisation, cost and price estimation, quotation preparation, production planning, workflow coordination and internal knowledge capture. It will allow users across estimating, technical, commercial and production teams to access more accurate information, make better-informed decisions, reduce reliance on tacit knowledge, and improve the speed and consistency of customer responses.

The project involves leveraging skills in artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, data engineering, software development, digital transformation, process improvement and change management. The Associate will work closely with Heron staff and Ulster University academics to design, test, validate and embed AI-enabled tools into live business workflows.