Lead ML Engineer

Job Description

Lead Technologist – Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

Location: South East UK (Hybrid – Great Baddow base)

Full-Time | Up to £85,000 + Benefits | Security Clearance Required (UK EYES ONLY)

Shape the Future of Applied AI in Defence, Space & Autonomy

Are you ready to lead at the frontier of AI/ML research and application? This is your opportunity to steer innovation that matters—developing technology that underpins security, space capability, and intelligent autonomous systems.

We're looking for a Lead Technologist to help guide a technically diverse AI/ML team tackling real-world, mission-critical challenges across reinforcement learning, natural processing, computer vision, remote sensing, and signal intelligence. You’ll play a pivotal role—blending deep expertise with technical assurance, mentorship, and strategic influence.

Why Join?

• Lead game-changing projects in AI for RF, radar, acoustics, LLMs, knowledge graphs, vision, and edge autonomy
• Work across research & delivery, helping ideas evolve from concept to operational capability
• Engage with top-tier academics and shape collaborative research with universities
• Mentor and elevate a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers
• Hybrid working—typically 2 days onsite with flexible remote options
• One-stage interview process—streamlined and respectful of your time

Your Role Will Involve:

• Leading the technical delivery of large-scale AI/ML research programmes
• Providing engineering assurance across bids, project outputs, and research publications
• Identifying and shaping new R&D themes in collaboration with partners and academic institutions
• Mentoring junior team members and guiding their development
• Presenting research to diverse stakeholders, from technical peers to non-specialist sponsors

What We’re Looking For:

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant AI/ML field
• ~10+ years of AI/ML experience post-PhD, with a proven track record of leadership in R&D environments
• Demonstrated expertise in at least one of the following:
• AI/ML for imagery (incl. remote sensing)
• Reinforcement learning or autonomous agents
• NLP, LLMs, or knowledge graph technologies
• AI for RF/EW, radar, sonar, or acoustic domains
• Strong Python skills and familiarity with ML toolkits (e.g. PyTorch, TensorFlow, Scikit-learn)
• Experience with proposal writing (e.g. Dstl, NS, EPSRC)
• Prior involvement in engineering assurance, technical review, or QA of R&D outputs

Security & Eligibility

Due to the sensitive nature of this work, applicants must be eligible for UK SC clearance as a minimum. Preference given to those eligible for higher-level clearances (e.g. DV/UKIC). UK EYES ONLY.

Your Impact Starts Here

This is more than a leadership role—it’s a chance to steer AI/ML innovation where it truly matters. You’ll be surrounded by world-class researchers, cutting-edge tech, and a purpose-driven mission. If you’re seeking a role where your technical credibility, curiosity, and experience will shape capability, we’d love to hear from you.

Please contract Bradley Collings on Bradley.Collings@ansonmccade.com or 07960059958.