At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead advanced AI projects and shape innovative solutions in defence and aerospace.
- Company: Cutting-edge tech firm focused on AI and decision-support technologies.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with a focus on innovation and career development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact with AI while collaborating with top experts in the field.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant field and 10+ years of AI/ML experience required.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 90000 € per year.
Operating at the forefront of advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and decision‐support technologies, delivering high‐impact solutions into defence, aerospace, and national security environments. Its teams work across complex, research‐led programmes, turning cutting‐edge AI concepts into deployable capabilities used in real‐world scenarios.
Engineering and research teams collaborate closely across disciplines and with external partners, combining deep technical expertise with applied innovation. The culture is highly technical, forward‐looking, and focused on delivering meaningful outcomes from advanced research.
Your role: As a Lead Technologist, you will play a key role in shaping and delivering advanced AI capability across a range of complex programmes. This is a senior position combining technical leadership, research direction, and engineering assurance, suited to someone with strong depth in AI/ML and experience leading R&D activity.
You will lead the technical delivery of large AI projects, guiding multidisciplinary teams working across areas such as reinforcement learning, natural language processing, large language models, knowledge graphs, and AI applied to sensing domains including imagery, RF, radar, sonar, and acoustics.
Alongside delivery, you will identify emerging research opportunities, helping to shape future capability through partnerships with academic institutions and internal research teams. You will contribute to innovation, feasibility studies, and early‐stage concept development, ensuring research is both technically robust and aligned to real‐world applications.
A key part of the role involves providing engineering assurance across technical outputs, including proposals, publications, and project deliverables, while maintaining high standards of quality and consistency. You will also mentor and support the development of engineers and researchers, helping to build capability within a growing team.
Your background:
- PhD in a relevant discipline (e.g. AI, machine learning, data science, computer science, or related field)
- Significant experience (~10+ years) applying AI / ML within research or industry environments
- Proven experience leading or contributing to R&D teams or technical workstreams
- Strong experience delivering or overseeing technical outputs, including reports, proposals, or publications
- Experience providing engineering assurance or technical governance on complex programmes
- Ability to operate at both deep technical and strategic levels, influencing direction and outcomes
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage both technical and non‐technical stakeholders
Desired experience in one or more of the following areas:
- AI / ML for imagery and computer vision, including remote sensing
- Reinforcement learning
- Natural language processing and large language models
- Knowledge graphs and graph‐based neural networks
- AI applied to RF, electronic warfare, radar, sonar, or acoustics
- Autonomy and intelligent systems
- Evidence of published research in relevant journals or conferences
Due to the sensitive nature of this role, candidates must be eligible for UK security clearance, which may involve nationality and residency requirements.
Principal Research Engineer in Chelmsford employer: MindMatch
As a Principal Research Engineer at our Chelmsford location, you will join a pioneering team at the forefront of AI and advanced analytics, where innovation meets real-world application in defence and national security. We foster a collaborative and highly technical work culture that prioritises employee growth through mentorship and partnerships with academic institutions, ensuring you have the opportunity to shape the future of AI technology while enjoying a competitive salary and hybrid working arrangements.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Research Engineer in Chelmsford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those already working in AI and R&D. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews – you never know where a chat might lead!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Prepare a portfolio or a presentation that highlights your past projects and research. When you get the chance to meet potential employers, make sure to showcase how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get comfortable discussing your work and ideas. Mock interviews with friends or mentors can help you articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently, especially when it comes to complex topics like AI and machine learning.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals like you. Make sure to tailor your application to highlight your leadership and technical skills, as well as your passion for advancing AI capabilities.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Research Engineer in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Research Engineer role. Highlight your experience in AI/ML and any relevant projects you've led. We want to see how your background aligns with our cutting-edge work!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about AI and how your skills can contribute to our mission. Keep it engaging and relevant to the job description.
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:Don’t shy away from showcasing your technical skills and experiences. Mention specific projects or research that demonstrate your depth in AI/ML, especially in areas like reinforcement learning or natural language processing. We love seeing real-world applications!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at MindMatch
✨Know Your AI Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and technologies in AI and machine learning. Be prepared to discuss your past projects in detail, especially those that relate to reinforcement learning, natural language processing, or any other relevant areas mentioned in the job description.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Technologist, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead multidisciplinary teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully guided teams in previous roles, focusing on your approach to mentoring and supporting others in their development.
✨Engage with Real-World Applications
Highlight your experience in applying AI concepts to real-world scenarios, particularly in defence, aerospace, or national security. Be ready to discuss how your research has led to practical solutions and how you can contribute to future capabilities.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Strong communication skills are essential for this role. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms, as you'll need to engage with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. This will show your ability to bridge the gap between different audiences.
