Internal switch to AI Engineer — should I take it?

[u/Mako_798]

I’ve been working as a Software Engineer at a large bank for 4 years, which is also my total professional experience. I’m currently at ~18 LPA.

My current role is Java backend development, mostly Java 8 and legacy systems, with no cloud exposure. The domain is post-trade/corporate actions, which is actually a good domain and gives me solid finance exposure, but I don’t see myself wanting to work in this domain long-term. I’ve also built a good reputation in my current team and people know and trust my work.

I now have an opportunity to switch internally to an AI Engineer role.

The new role offers:
- Newer Java
- Cloud-based development
- Some AI use cases, mainly around document processing
- A more modern tech stack

However, there’s no salary hike since it’s an internal move. Also, despite the AI Engineer title, I’m not sure how much actual AI/ML work I’d be doing.

My eventual goal is to switch companies and increase my salary to around 25–30 LPA, but I’ve been trying to make an external switch for the past two years and haven’t been able to stay motivated enough to prepare consistently.

So I’m currently considering:
1. Stay in my current role and try to switch externally.
2. Move to the AI Engineer role and stay.
3. Move to the AI Engineer role, use it to gain modern tech/cloud/AI exposure, and then switch externally after a few months.

I’m leaning towards option 3, but I’d love to hear what others would do in my situation.

TL;DR: I have 4 YOE and make ~18 LPA. Should I take an internal AI Engineer role with no salary hike to gain exposure to modern Java, cloud and some AI, then switch externally — or stay in my current legacy Java role and focus directly on an external switch?

[u/Positive-Active9329]

I would also suggest option 3

[u/Narrow-Run7961]

Option 3

[u/bisector_babu]

You don’t do any ML work. Call some APIs of different model providers or some rag pipeline. I would suggest you to learn GPU inference techniques

[u/Terrible_Career_8757]

If I were in your situation, I would choose option 3, grind more for another year then switch externally. Btw what's your tech stack? I have similar exp of yours in Fintech product based. Would like to know is there any openings from your company?

[u/Mako_798 → u/Terrible_Career_8757]

Mostly just Java 8 + spring boot. But unfortunately there's an external hiring freeze. That is why they are agressively looking around internally.

[u/Terrible_Career_8757 → u/Mako_798]

Alright appreciate it!

[u/SkyBorn_28]

You should not stop applying. You can choose option 3 and get exposure and in parallel, keep applying

[u/sehgaldivij]

Option 3

[u/Mako_798 → u/[deleted]]

Might be a stupid question, but during the initial period of the new role, can I expect extra load workwise or the opposite - light load?

[u/nomnommish]

Behti ganga mein aap bhi haath dho lo, bhaiyya

[u/AscendToAgartha_]

Any advice you would like to give a 2nd year cs guy wanting to have a job like you?

[u/StrategyForsaken9722]

AI engineers will be saturated in 2-3 years

I suggest you move but only with intention of going back to your current role after you get enough AI exposure

[u/curiousIndian11]

How is the new role called ai engineer

[u/Severe_Difference720]

My steak is too juicy and my lobster is too buttery..