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- Tasks: Lead AI and Data Science projects, guiding teams in cutting-edge research and technical delivery.
- Company: Innovative tech firm focused on advanced analytics and AI solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to ÂŁ90,000, mentorship opportunities, and a collaborative work culture.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with strong links to academia and excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI while working on impactful, real-world projects.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant field and 10+ years of industry experience in AI/ML.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 90000 ÂŁ per year.
Operating at the leading edge of advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and data‑driven decision support, delivering complex solutions into safety‑critical and mission‑focused environments. Its teams work across long‑term R&D programmes, translating cutting‑edge research into deployable capability used by highly demanding customers. The culture is strongly engineering‑led, research‑driven, and collaborative, with close links to academia and partner organisations. Individuals are trusted to shape technical direction, influence strategy, and contribute at both programme and enterprise level.
As a Lead Technologist, you will join a growing AI and Data Science capability and play a central role in leading technical delivery across large, complex AI programmes. You will provide technical direction, assurance, and mentorship while shaping research agendas that influence future capability. You’ll guide multidisciplinary teams working across areas such as reinforcement learning, natural language processing, large language models, knowledge graphs, and AI applied to sensing domains including RF, electronic warfare, radar, sonar, acoustics, imagery, and remote sensing.
You will identify novel research opportunities, help establish partnerships with leading academic institutions, and direct research activities to ensure technical excellence and real‑world applicability. A key part of the role involves clearly articulating complex technical ideas to both specialist and non‑specialist audiences, including internal stakeholders and external customers. You will also provide engineering assurance across bids, publications, and project outputs, raising quality and consistency by applying your experience and judgement. Mentoring and developing less‑experienced engineers and researchers will be central to your impact within the organisation.
Your background:
- PhD in a relevant technical discipline (e.g. AI, ML, data science, computer science, engineering, mathematics, or physics)
- Significant post‑doctoral experience (typically ~10+ years) applying AI / ML in industry or advanced research environments
- Proven experience leading R&D teams or technical workstreams on complex AI‑driven programmes
- Strong track record of engineering assurance, governance, or technical review of high‑impact outputs
- Experience leading or contributing to technical proposals, bids, or externally facing research material
- Ability to operate confidently at both deep technical and strategic levels, influencing direction and decision‑making
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to present complex research clearly to varied audiences
Desired:
- Experience in one or more of the following technical domains: 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
Locations
Senior Technical Lead in Chelmsford, Essex employer: Sanderson Government & Defence
Contact Detail:
Sanderson Government & Defence Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Technical Lead in Chelmsford, Essex
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in your field! Attend industry events, webinars, or even local meetups. We can’t stress enough how important it is to build relationships; you never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Don’t just talk about your experience—show it! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those related to AI and data science. This gives potential employers a tangible sense of what you can do, and we all know actions speak louder than words!
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios specific to the role. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors. Remember, it’s not just about answering questions; it’s about demonstrating your thought process and technical expertise.
✨Apply Through Our Website
When you find a role that excites you, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Technical Lead in Chelmsford, Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Technical Lead role. Highlight your experience in AI, ML, and R&D, and don’t forget to showcase any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how you’ve influenced technical direction and contributed to complex programmes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Talk about your passion for AI and data science, and how your background aligns with our mission at StudySmarter. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since you'll be articulating complex ideas to various audiences, make sure your application reflects your communication skills. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We want to see that you can simplify complex concepts for non-specialists.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanderson Government & Defence
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and technologies in AI and data science. Be ready to discuss your experience with reinforcement learning, natural language processing, and any other relevant areas. This shows you're not just familiar with the basics but are genuinely engaged with the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Technical Lead, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead R&D teams effectively. Prepare examples of how you've guided teams through complex projects, mentored less-experienced engineers, and influenced technical direction. This will highlight your leadership capabilities.
✨Communicate Clearly
You'll be expected to articulate complex ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences. Practice explaining your past projects and research in simple terms. This will help you connect with interviewers who may not have a deep technical background.
✨Research the Company Culture
Understand the company's engineering-led and collaborative culture. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to this environment and align with their values. Showing that you fit into their culture can set you apart from other candidates.