At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead advanced AI projects and shape innovative solutions in defence and aerospace.
- Company: Pioneering tech firm focused on AI and decision-support technologies.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor and grow within a dynamic, forward-thinking team.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact with cutting-edge AI technology and lead multidisciplinary teams.
- Qualifications: PhD in AI/ML or related field with 10+ years of experience.
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
- 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: Sanderson Government & Defence
As a Principal Research Engineer at our cutting-edge organisation, you will thrive in a highly technical and innovative environment that prioritises meaningful outcomes in defence and national security. We offer competitive salaries, opportunities for professional growth through mentorship, and the chance to collaborate with leading academic institutions on pioneering AI research. Our culture fosters collaboration across disciplines, ensuring that your contributions directly impact real-world applications while working alongside a passionate team dedicated to advancing technology.
Contact Detail:
Sanderson Government & Defence Recruiting Team
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 your connections in the AI and tech fields. Attend industry events, webinars, or meetups to meet potential employers and showcase your expertise. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your past projects, especially those related to AI/ML. Use platforms like GitHub to share your code and demonstrate your technical prowess. This will make you stand out in interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on both technical and soft skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with reinforcement learning, natural language processing, and other relevant areas. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms for non-technical stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals like you. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with our cutting-edge projects in AI and decision support systems.
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 role of Principal Research Engineer. 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 technologies or methodologies you’ve worked with, especially those related to reinforcement learning or natural language processing. We love seeing your depth of knowledge!
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanderson Government & Defence
✨Know Your AI Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest advancements in AI and machine learning, especially in areas like reinforcement learning and natural language processing. Be prepared to discuss your past projects and how they relate to the role, showcasing your technical depth and leadership experience.
✨Showcase Your R&D Leadership
Highlight your experience leading R&D teams and delivering complex projects. Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to guide multidisciplinary teams and ensure high-quality outputs. This will show that you can handle the technical delivery aspect of the role effectively.
✨Engage with Real-World Applications
Be ready to discuss how your research aligns with real-world applications, particularly in defence and national security. Think about how your work can contribute to meaningful outcomes and be prepared to share ideas on emerging research opportunities.
✨Communicate Clearly with All Stakeholders
Strong communication skills are key, so practice explaining complex technical concepts in a way that non-technical stakeholders can understand. This will demonstrate your ability to influence direction and outcomes across different teams and levels within the organisation.
