Your AI Guide for HR & Talent
Author: IntaPeople | Date published: 15/01/26
Recruiting technical and engineering talent in the UK is increasingly competitive. High demand and skill shortages mean hiring managers and HR teams need smarter approaches to attract and retain the right candidates.
AI tools won’t replace human judgement, but they can streamline processes, improve candidate matching, and provide market insight. This cheat sheet highlights practical applications across tech and engineering hiring, with UK-focused, market-validated AI tools.
- Role definition & job adverts
How AI can help
- Draft structured job descriptions for software, data, electronics, and engineering roles
- Benchmark required skills and qualifications against UK market norms
- Flag unrealistic skill combinations or requirements
Top tools
- Textio – Optimises job ad language for clarity, inclusivity, and engagement
- Ongig / TalVista – Highlights potential bias in job adverts
- ChatGPT / Gemini – Drafts or refines job descriptions
Caution
Avoid generic wording; ensure technical and regulatory nuances are included (e.g., medical devices, aerospace, quantum engineering)
- CV screening & shortlisting
How AI can help
- Filter CVs against core competencies (programming languages, frameworks, CAD, embedded systems)
- Identify transferable skills across sectors
- Reduce time spent on early-stage screening
Top tools
- Workable – ATS with AI CV parsing
- HiredScore / Ideal – Skills-based candidate scoring
- Sapia.ai – Bias-aware structured screening
- iSmartRecruit 2.0 – ATS with automation, semantic search, and AI matching
Caution
Technical and engineering CVs often include project experience; keyword-only screening can overlook top candidates
- Technical skills & assessment
How AI can help
- Standardised coding, simulation, or engineering problem tests
- Scenario-based assessments for mechanical, electronics, software, or embedded systems roles
- Consistent scoring across candidates
Top tools
- TestGorilla – Extensive skills library with strong reporting and high ratings
- Canditech – Custom assessments, simulations, cognitive and behavioural testing
- Harver – Behavioural and aptitude assessments for culture fit and soft skills
- HackerRank / Codility – Software and embedded systems assessments
Caution
Ensure tests reflect real-world work; avoid penalising practical engineers with poor test-taking skills
- Interview support & candidate experience
How AI can help
- Generate structured interview questions
- Summarise and standardise interview notes
- Improve scheduling and communication efficiency
Top tools
- HireVue – Video interviewing with structured frameworks
- Paradox (Olivia) – AI-driven scheduling and candidate communication
- Humanly – Automated conversation, screening, and structured scoring
- HeyMilo – End-to-end AI recruiting platform covering sourcing to screening and interview automation
Caution
Technical and engineering candidates value personal interactions; over-automation can be off-putting
- Market insight & salary benchmarking
How AI can help
- Analyse UK salary data by specialism and region
- Identify in-demand skills and potential supply gaps
- Test competitiveness of offers and role structures
Top tools
- LinkedIn Talent Insights – Workforce trends and skills demand
- Adzuna Salary Data – UK-focused benchmarks
- Built-in ATS analytics / BI tools – Identify bottlenecks and pipeline gaps
Caution
Engineering and tech markets vary locally (South Wales vs London vs Midlands); generic datasets may mislead
AI supports decisions — IntaPeople delivers insight
The strongest hiring outcomes in tech and engineering still come from deep sector expertise, human judgement, and contextual understanding. AI tools accelerate processes and provide insights, but they cannot replace domain knowledge or the ability to evaluate technical and cultural fit.
At IntaPeople, we combine market expertise with the best AI tools to help UK companies hire faster, smarter, and with confidence. From sourcing niche talent to conducting skills assessments, benchmarking salaries, and enhancing candidate experience, we provide the insight and guidance that AI alone cannot.
Get in touch to see how IntaPeople can help.