At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of cutting-edge AI systems and mentor junior engineers.
- Company: Join Faculty, a leader in responsible AI innovation since 2014.
- Benefits: Enjoy unlimited annual leave, private healthcare, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Diverse team culture with a focus on intellectual curiosity and positive impact.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in national security and global stability through AI.
- Qualifications: Experience in ML lifecycle, Python, and cloud platforms like AWS or Azure.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
We established Faculty in 2014 because we thought that AI would be the most important technology of our time. Since then, we’ve worked with over 350 global customers to transform their performance through human-centric AI. We don’t chase hype cycles. We innovate, build and deploy responsible AI which moves the needle - and we know a thing or two about doing it well. We bring an unparalleled depth of technical, product and delivery expertise to our clients who span government, finance, retail, energy, life sciences and defence. Our business, and reputation, is growing fast and we’re always on the lookout for individuals who share our intellectual curiosity and desire to build a positive legacy through technology.
Our National Security and AI Safety business unit is dedicated to advancing the responsible development and deployment of AI in support of national security and global stability. From strengthening mission-critical capabilities across national security and intelligence, to working with frontier labs to provide robust AI safety red teaming and evaluation, we work at the frontier of high-stakes, high-impact missions. We understand that powerful AI systems bring both transformative opportunities and complex risks and we are proud to partner with Government and the biggest tech organisations in the world to ensure AI is not just transformative but is also secure, trustworthy and safe for all. Because of the nature of the work we do with our Government clients, you may need to be eligible for UK Developed Vetting (DV) and willing to work on site with our clients from time to time.
As a Senior Machine Learning Engineer, we’ll look to you to lead development and deployment of cutting-edge AI systems for our diverse clients. You’ll design, build, and deploy scalable, production-grade ML software and infrastructure that meets rigorous operational and ethical standards. This is an ambitious, cross-functional role requiring a blend of technical expertise, engineering leadership, and confident client-facing skills.
What you’ll be doing:
- Leading technical scoping and architectural decisions for high-impact ML systems
- Designing and building production-grade ML software, tools, and scalable infrastructure
- Defining and implementing best practices and standards for deploying machine learning at scale across the business
- Collaborating with engineers, data scientists, product managers, and commercial teams to solve critical client challenges and leverage opportunities
- Acting as a trusted technical advisor to customers and partners, translating complex concepts into actionable strategies
- Mentoring and developing junior engineers, actively shaping our team's engineering culture and technical depth
Who we’re looking for:
- You understand the full ML lifecycle and have significant experience operationalising models built with frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch
- You bring deep expertise in software engineering and strong Python skills, focusing on building robust, reusable systems
- You have demonstrable hands‑on experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP), including architecture, security, and infrastructure
- You’ve extensive experience working with container and orchestration tools such at Docker & Kubernetes to build and manage applications at scale
- You thrive in fast-paced, high-growth environments, demonstrating ownership and autonomy in driving projects to completion
- You communicate exceptionally well, confidently guiding both technical teams and senior, non-technical stakeholders
Our Interview Process:
- Talent Team Screen (30 minutes)
- Pair Programming Interview (90 minutes)
- System Design Interview (90 minutes)
- Commercial Interview (60 minutes)
Our Recruitment Ethos: We aim to grow the best team - not the most similar one. We know that diversity of individuals foster diversity of thought, and that strengthens our principle of seeking truth. And we know from experience that diverse teams deliver better work, relevant to the world in which we live. We’re united by a deep intellectual curiosity and desire to use our abilities for measurable positive impact. We strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, religions and sexual orientations.
Some of our standout benefits:
- Unlimited Annual Leave Policy
- Private healthcare and dental
- Enhanced parental leave
- Family-Friendly Flexibility & Flexible working
- Sanctus Coaching
- Hybrid Working
A note on AI: we're happy for you to use it for research and interview prep, but please don't use it to generate answers during live interviews. We also use an AI note‑taker (Metaview) in interviews so interviewers can stay present (which you can opt out of just let us know,) and every application is reviewed by a human, never decided by AI.
Senior Forward Deployed Engineer employer: AI Startups UK
Odyssey is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London where innovation thrives. As a VP of Research, you'll lead a world-class team at the forefront of AI technology, with ample opportunities for professional growth and collaboration across disciplines. Our culture fosters creativity and ambition, making it an ideal place for those passionate about shaping the future of world models and AI.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Forward Deployed Engineer
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
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✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to AI Startups UK.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
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✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Forward Deployed Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at AI Startups UK.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at AI Startups UK and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at AI Startups UK
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If AI Startups UK uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.