Lead Technologist - ML / AI

Location: United Kingdom (South West) Type: Permanent

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 national security, space capability, and intelligent autonomous systems.

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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Publications in top journals or conferences

• Experience in defence, aerospace, space, or cyber domains

• Graph-based neural networks, deep generative models, or edge AI exposure

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.

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

Apply now to lead the next wave of AI innovation.

Reference: AMC/BCO4/LT

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Information :

• Company : Anson McCade
• Position : Lead Technologist - ML / AI
• Location : South West, England
• Country : GB