Lead MLOps Engineer in Manchester

Fuzzy Labs is a fast-growing, Manchester-based tech consultancy that helps a diverse range of clients productionise machine learning using Open Source MLOps. We exist to help our customers harness and channel the power of AI safely and effectively, to make positive change and use AI for good. Our work sits across the whole development lifecycle, from prototyping new machine learning models to building scalable and secure production ML systems, and everything in between. Our work spans disruptive startups, multi-national organisations, policing, and secure government sectors, providing you with the unique opportunity to make a tangible, real-world impact. We’ve had considerable growth over the last few years and we’re looking to continue with this momentum as we build on our reputation as Open Source MLOps experts, expand our role within the community, and continue to deliver high-quality solutions to our clients.

What we’re looking for

The ideal candidate will be motivated to grow and progress in line with the company’s ambitions: we’re looking for passionate engineers with an appetite for keeping up with the cutting edge, an eye for detail, and a knack for creative problem solving. As well as being a great engineer, motivated by the chance to be at the forefront of MLOps adoption, you’ll also enjoy being part of a culture that values:

• Loving what we do: a real passion for Open Source, MLOps, and taking pride in our work.
• Just trying it: MLOps is an exciting new field. We love to develop new skills, solve new problems and thrive on a challenge.
• Being greater than the sum of parts: we are a team, one that isn’t just us but our customers and our community.
• Positive impact: AI is going to change the world. We choose to use it for good and leave a positive legacy.

A typical day

You’ll work within an engineering squad and take part in every stage of the project delivery lifecycle, including:

• Being hands‑on with the technical delivery of the project. As a technical leader, you’ll be writing code (of course), while also setting the standard in terms of engineering quality for your colleagues.
• Working directly with clients to understand their needs and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Owning the delivery of client projects, from discovery to completion and handover.
• Leading sprint planning sessions, retrospectives and code reviews.
• Working as part of the team, sharing and reviewing ideas, mentoring and guiding team members through technology, architecture, and implementation details.
• Helping to grow the team by taking part in hiring and interviewing.
• Helping to write proposals for new clients, and participating in the technical side of the sales process.
• Supporting your team members’ personal development objectives within client projects.
• Staying up-to-date with a fast-moving industry, embracing new tools and frameworks.

As well as client work, we also set aside time to work on R&D projects and produce content in the form of blogs and videos. These projects are how we keep on top of a fast-moving technology landscape, in addition to being our greatest source of marketing. You’ll have the opportunity to craft your own voice in the MLOps community through R&D content.

Skills and Experience

Our team is made up of a mix of backgrounds. We are looking for smart, curious people who are always expanding their knowledge and exploring new and emerging technologies. If you get excited about keeping up with the newest machine learning research, or figuring out how to scale generative models in the cloud, then you’ll fit right in. Some of the skills and experience we look for include:

• An undergraduate degree in computer science, mathematics, or similar, or a relevant postgraduate degree.
• A passion for coding, machine learning, open source technologies, and setting the standards for their implementation and adoption.
• At least 3 years of experience writing and deploying production‑grade Python.
• Experience managing and mentoring software engineers.
• Experience with cloud computing, for example AWS, Google Cloud or Azure, along with modern DevOps practices and infrastructure‑as‑code tools.
• Fluency in our core software tooling: Git, Unix/Linux, Docker.
• Familiarity with modern machine learning tools, for instance TensorFlow, Keras, PyTorch or SKLearn. Commercial experience with these is not essential.
• Excellent communication skills; both in customer‑facing and internal team communication.

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all of the requirements. MLOps is an emerging field, which sits somewhere in the intersection of data science, machine learning engineering, and DevOps. We’re excited to speak to candidates from any of these backgrounds; you don’t need an explicit MLOps background to apply for this role, as you’ll learn as you go by immersing yourself in this exciting new field. By joining a growing company you’ll have the chance to make a real impact on its future. There’s plenty of room for growth and we’ll work with you to help you realise your technical and personal ambitions because your success and the company’s success are one and the same.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday rising to 30 with each year of service
• Enhanced family leave, including maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• £500 annual personal development budget and AI assistant of your choice
• Equity option scheme, giving you a genuine stake in the business
• Hybrid working in a vibrant, central Manchester office with free fruit, cereals, and hot & cold drinks
• Cycle to Work Scheme and secure bike storage
• Paid time off for charity and volunteering
• Company socials, summer and Christmas parties

Location and Eligibility

As a hybrid‑working organisation, we bring the team together in the office three days each week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and work remotely on the remaining days. We have found that regular, structured time in person enables us to make decisions more quickly, collaborate more effectively, and build the strong working relationships that underpin our work. For that reason, being able to join us in our central Manchester office on those set days is an essential part of the role. At the same time, we recognise that personal circumstances vary. We aim to approach individual situations with flexibility and openness, and we’re always willing to have a conversation where specific needs arise. Finally, due to the sensitive nature of some projects, you will be required to undergo UK government security clearance after you start (at SC level). This will include a credit check and criminal records check. As a result, we’re only able to consider candidates who have been resident in the UK for 5 or more years.