AI Engineer Jobs in Dublin
Europe's Tech Capital.

AI engineer salaries in Dublin range from EUR 70,000-95,000 for mid-level roles to EUR 110,000-150,000+ for senior positions at FAANG companies. Staff and principal engineers at Google, Meta, or Microsoft can exceed EUR 180,000 with stock compensation. Irish scale-ups typically pay 15-25% less than big tech but often offer more equity and scope. Note that Ireland's 40% marginal tax rate above EUR 42,000 significantly impacts take-home pay.

AI engineering qualifies for Ireland's Critical Skills Employment Permit, which offers a fast-track path to permanent residency. You need a job offer with minimum EUR 64,000 salary (2026 threshold) from an Irish employer. The permit is employer-specific initially but leads to Stamp 4 (open work permission) after 2 years. Processing takes 4-8 weeks. Your employer typically handles the application, but understanding the process helps you negotiate timeline expectations.

Dublin hosts EMEA headquarters for Google (AI/ML, Search, Cloud), Meta (AI Research, Integrity, Ads), Microsoft (Azure AI, LinkedIn), Amazon (AWS AI, Alexa), and Apple (ML, Siri). Beyond FAANG: Stripe, Intercom, and Workday have strong AI teams. Irish scale-ups like Wayflyer, Flipdish, and Workhuman are growing AI capabilities. Fintech players (Revolut, Square) and pharma (Pfizer, Lilly) also hire AI talent. Each offers different work culture, scope, and compensation structure.

Silicon Docks refers to Dublin's Grand Canal Dock area where Google, Meta, Airbnb, and many tech companies cluster. Working in the Docks offers networking density and career mobility, since you can change jobs without relocating. However, companies outside the Docks (Microsoft in Leopardstown, Amazon in multiple locations, Apple in Cork) often have less competition for roles and sometimes better work-life balance. Don't limit your search to just the Docks area.

Dublin's housing crisis is real. Expect EUR 2,000-2,800/month for a 1-bed apartment in desirable areas near Silicon Docks. Sharing reduces costs significantly. A mid-level salary of EUR 85,000 yields roughly EUR 4,800/month after tax. Senior salaries (EUR 120,000+) make Dublin comfortable. Strategies: consider areas like Dun Laoghaire or Drumcondra for lower rent with good transport links. Some engineers negotiate remote arrangements after establishing themselves, living in cheaper areas like Galway or Cork.

Most Dublin AI roles require at least hybrid presence (2-3 days/week in office). Fully remote EU-wide roles exist but are competitive and often pay less than Dublin-based positions. Big tech companies increasingly require office presence for collaboration-heavy AI work. If you're outside Ireland, target companies that sponsor relocation or have established remote policies. Note that tax residency rules affect remote arrangements, so you generally need to be Ireland-resident for Irish-contract roles.

Not necessarily. While some programming experience is helpful, many of my clients have successfully transitioned from web development, data science, or other technical backgrounds. We'll assess your current skills during our strategy call and create a personalized plan that meets you where you are.

Most clients invest 10-15 hours per week, but this can be flexible based on your schedule. We'll have weekly 1:1 calls plus time for you to work on projects and learning. The key is consistency. Regular, focused effort beats occasional marathons.

You become a member of the AI Native Engineer community, and you stay and keep going. Career transitions take different amounts of time for everyone, and I'm not going to abandon you if things take longer. You get ongoing support through good times and bad.

Online courses give you content. 1:1 coaching gives you a personalized roadmap, direct feedback on your work, career strategy, interview prep, and accountability. You get answers to your specific questions and guidance tailored to your unique situation instead of generic advice meant for everyone.

Investment details are discussed during the 30-minute strategy call, where we'll assess your goals and create a custom plan. The program is designed to pay for itself quickly through your increased salary. Most AI engineers see a 20-50% pay increase.

Absolutely. Most of my clients work full-time and make steady progress. We'll schedule calls at times that work for you and create a realistic plan that fits your schedule. Consistency matters more than intensity.