AI Engineer/Data Scientist (KTP Associate)

Through the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Programme, W & G Baird Ltd, in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast, is seeking an innovative and motivated graduate/postgraduate in AI, Computer Science, Data Science, Software Engineering, Business Analytics or a related discipline to join a strategic innovation project. The role focuses on designing and implementing an AI-enabled workflow automation platform to transform how customers discover, brief and order print work, while improving estimating, order intake, proofing and production scheduling.

This KTP represents a key step in W & G Baird’s digital transformation journey, embedding AI, data and automation across the end-to-end customer and production workflow. The successful candidate will work with real operational data and live business processes to reduce friction, improve efficiency and enhance decision-making. The project is delivered in collaboration with Queen’s Business School and supported by academic expertise throughout.

About the person

• Hold at least a 2.1 Honours Degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Business Analytics, Data Science, Software Engineering, Industrial Engineering or a closely related discipline. Where candidates hold an international degree, they must ensure the equivalence of this to a UK classification (i.e. 1st, 2.1, 2.2 etc) is clear in their application.
• Relevant practical experience with data analysis and automation (such as Python/SQL/n8n workflows), including building and evaluating ML/optimisation models or rules-based pipelines. (*may be demonstrated through the completion of a module, student project or placement).
• Relevant working knowledge of applied AI in business workflows, ideally including NLP (for conversational interfaces) and/or document understanding (classification and data extraction). (*may be demonstrated through the completion of a module, student project or placement).

The above is not an exhaustive list. Please refer to the candidate information for full criteria.

Employed and supported by a team of academic experts from the University, you will be based at W & G Baird Ltd in Antrim. As a
KTP Associate, you will lead on the delivery of the following key project stages:

• Stage 1: Enterprise Discovery, Data Audit & Customer Journey Mapping.
• Stage 2: AI Strategy, Architecture & Target Operating Model Design.
• Stage 3: BairdConnect: Market Intelligence, Lead Generation & Internal Sales Enablement.
• Stage 4: Print Ordering Platform – BairdConnect & Education Print Hub.
• Stage 5: Resource Management and Planning.
• Stage 6: Benefits Realisation, Knowledge Embedding & Post-Project Planning