Head of AI R&D

Help us use technology to make a big green dent in the universe!

Kraken powers some of the most innovative global developments in energy.

We're a technology company focused on creating a smart, sustainable energy system. From optimising renewable generation, creating a more intelligent grid and enabling utilities to provide excellent customer experiences, our operating system for energy is transforming the industry around the world in a way that benefits everyone.

It's a really exciting time in energy. Help us make a real impact on shaping a better, more sustainable future.

Kraken Customer

What we do: build the most AI-driven, innovative, forward-thinking platform for energy management. From optimising resources to delivering cost-effective, exceptional customer experiences through advanced Customer Information Systems (CIS), billing, meter data management, CRM, and AI-driven communications, Kraken is powering the next wave of innovation in the energy industry.

Why we do it: future energy will not look like energy as we know it today. We need to not just think about our future, but build for it. Now.

We're seeking an AI Research and Development Lead to drive innovation for Kraken's AI solutions. In this role you will spearhead R&D initiatives, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and have a significant impact on the scope and growth of the business by shaping the direction of our AI products. From optimizing the energy grid, through orchestrating service agents, to designing future product categories for energy consumers - your work will directly contribute to advancing our mission by harnessing AI to accelerate the transition to renewable energy.

What you'll do

• Develop and execute a comprehensive research and development strategy that aligns with the company's mission and objectives.
• Guide the R&D of new AI algorithms and systems for energy related applications with focus on support, coding, trading, maintenance and optimization applications.
• Design scalable test environments, benchmarking and evaluation frameworks to measure and optimize AI system performance across billions of tasks.
• Champion best practices in data collection, cleaning, enrichment, and governance to support robust AI models.
• Identify and design AI tools for developer productivity and operational efficiency.
• Mentor and inspire multidisciplinary teams of engineers and data scientists focused on pushing technological boundaries.
• Identify emerging trends in AI technologies and their potential applications to energy systems to drive innovation and maintain competitive edge.
• Transform research breakthroughs into production-ready AI solutions through close collaboration with engineering.
• Drive thought leadership in AI research and its applications to energy systems through publications and industry engagement.

> What you'll need

• PhD in computer science, ML, or AI or equivalent experience.
• Deep expertise in large-scale model, AI agent orchestration, benchmarking and deployment.
• Significant experience in AI research and development, with a proven track record in leading complex projects.
• Experience with data enrichment and building knowledge bases to support AI systems.
• Advanced proficiency in PyTorch, TensorFlow, or Jax, and programming languages (e.g., Python, R, Java).
• Plus: publications in leading peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
• Plus: prior experience in the energy sector.

> If this sounds like you then we'd love to hear from you.

Are you ready for a career with us? We want to ensure you have all the tools and environment you need to unleash your potential. Need any specific accommodations? Whether you require specific accommodations or have a unique preference, let us know, and we'll do what we can to customise your interview process for comfort and maximum magic!

Studies have shown that some groups of people, like women, are less likely to apply to a role unless they meet 100% of the job requirements. Whoever you are, if you like one of our jobs, we encourage you to apply as you might just be the candidate we hire. Across Octopus, we're looking for genuinely decent people who are honest and empathetic. Our people are our strongest asset and the unique skills and perspectives people bring to the team are the driving force of our success. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute. Our commitment is to provide equal opportunities, an inclusive work environment, and fairness for everyone.