Forward Deployed ML Engineer

Graduate/Junior Forward Deployed ML Engineer | Defence Technology | London

Competitive Salary + Equity + Outstanding Benefits

You could spend your first few years after university training models on datasets that never leave a research environment. Or you could develop machine learning algorithms that are deployed into real-world defence and security environments. We're partnering with a well-funded technology company developing software that combines AI, machine learning and advanced algorithms to solve complex problems for defence and security organisations.

As a Forward Deployed ML Engineer, you'll work at the intersection of machine learning, algorithms and real-world deployment. You'll tackle problems where the data may be messy, the requirements unclear and the solution doesn't already exist — then take your work from an initial idea through to deployment in operational environments.

What you'll get to do:

• Develop and implement machine learning models and algorithms to solve complex real-world problems
• Work on problems spanning areas such as computer vision, optimisation, sensor fusion, autonomy, anomaly detection and predictive modelling
• Work directly with defence and security users to understand problems and translate them into technical solutions
• Take algorithms from research and experimentation through to production and deployment
• Work with real-world data, often in challenging environments where traditional approaches don't work
• Test and iterate on your models against real operational requirements rather than purely academic benchmarks
• Solve novel problems where there isn't necessarily an obvious or existing solution
• Work alongside highly capable ML, software and algorithm engineers and learn how to build systems for demanding environments
• Gain exposure to different datasets, technologies, deployment environments and problem domains
• Travel to customer sites across the UK and potentially overseas to understand problems and deploy solutions

You'll be a strong fit if you have:

• A First or 2:1 in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Engineering or another strong quantitative/STEM discipline
• Strong foundations in machine learning, mathematics, statistics or algorithms
• Experience with Python and ML frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow or similar
• A genuine interest in machine learning, algorithms, defence, security, autonomy or mission-critical technology
• Strong problem-solving ability and an instinct for breaking down complex, ambiguous problems
• The ability to move between theory, experimentation and practical implementation
• The curiosity to pick up new technologies and domains quickly
• The confidence to communicate technical ideas with engineers, customers and non-technical users

Internships, university projects, research, personal projects and open-source contributions are all valued. We're particularly interested in candidates who have built ML projects beyond standard coursework or have explored interesting algorithmic problems in depth.

What you'll get in return:

• Meaningful work: Develop ML and algorithms that contribute to real defence and security capabilities
• Technical challenge: Work on problems that will push you significantly beyond university-level ML
• Research + deployment: See your algorithms move from experimentation into real operational environments
• Fast development: Learn from experienced ML and software engineers while taking on responsibility early
• Real-world exposure: Work directly with users and understand how your models perform outside controlled environments
• Variety: Work across different datasets, customers, technical problems and deployment environments
• Career progression: Develop into an engineer capable of taking ML solutions from algorithm development through to deployment
• Equity: Have genuine ownership in the company you're helping to build

Due to the nature of the work, applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance. If you want your first ML engineering role to involve real data, difficult algorithmic problems, real users and technology that genuinely matters, I'd be happy to tell you more.