Senior/Lead Machine Learning Engineer

Senior/Lead Machine Learning Engineer

Full-Time 145000 - 145000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a high-performing team in developing cutting-edge AI for drug discovery.
  • Company: AI-native biotech startup transforming medicine with innovative technology.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, significant equity, and a collaborative culture.
  • Other info: Join a dynamic team with excellent growth opportunities in biotech.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on human health through frontier AI solutions.
  • Qualifications: Proven leadership in ML engineering and deep learning systems.

The predicted salary is between 145000 - 145000 £ per year.

We’re an AI-native biotech company building foundation models for biology to transform how new medicines are discovered. By combining large-scale multimodal biological datasets with probabilistic machine learning and generative AI, we’re developing systems capable of predicting complex biological behaviour at unprecedented scale. Our mission is to create general-purpose biological intelligence that accelerates therapeutic discovery across oncology, immunology, and rare diseases.

We’re looking for a Machine Learning Team Lead to lead a high-performing team working on foundation models and probabilistic ML systems for drug discovery. You’ll sit at the intersection of research and engineering - driving technical direction, mentoring senior engineers and researchers, and helping scale both our platform and team as we push toward state-of-the-art biological modelling. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone excited by frontier AI, scientific impact, and building exceptional ML organisations.

  • Leading a team of ML engineers and applied researchers building large-scale foundation models for biological data
  • Defining technical strategy across probabilistic modelling, representation learning, and generative AI systems
  • Architecting scalable distributed training infrastructure for multi-billion parameter models
  • Collaborating with computational biologists, cheminformaticians, and leadership on long-term research initiatives
  • Mentoring and growing a world-class ML engineering team
  • Helping shape hiring strategy and technical roadmap as the company scales

Proven experience leading ML engineering or applied research teams. Strong background building and scaling deep learning systems in production. Deep understanding of foundation model architectures and modern generative AI techniques. Experience with probabilistic ML approaches such as Bayesian inference, latent variable models, or uncertainty-aware systems. Strong software engineering and distributed systems experience. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. Experience in biotech, computational biology, or AI for science. Publications or contributions in advanced ML research. Experience scaling ML organisations in startup environments.

Lead one of the most technically ambitious AI teams in biotech. Work on frontier AI problems with direct impact on human health. Competitive compensation and meaningful equity package. Collaborative culture built around scientific curiosity and engineering excellence.

Senior/Lead Machine Learning Engineer employer: SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation™

As a leading AI-native biotech company based in London, we offer an exceptional work environment that fosters scientific curiosity and engineering excellence. Our collaborative culture encourages innovation and provides significant opportunities for professional growth, particularly for those passionate about frontier AI and its impact on human health. With competitive compensation and a meaningful equity package, we are committed to building a world-class team dedicated to transforming drug discovery through advanced machine learning.

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Contact Details:

SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation™ Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior/Lead Machine Learning Engineer

Network Like a Pro

Get out there and connect with folks in the industry! Attend meetups, conferences, or even online webinars. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream role.

Show Off Your Skills

Don’t just talk about your experience; demonstrate it! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those related to foundation models and probabilistic AI. This will make you stand out when you apply through our website.

Tailor Your Approach

When reaching out to potential employers, customise your message. Highlight how your skills align with their mission in drug discovery and AI. A personal touch can go a long way in making a memorable impression.

Follow Up

After applying or having an interview, don’t be shy—send a follow-up email! It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you on their radar. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the team.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior/Lead Machine Learning Engineer

Machine Learning
Probabilistic Modelling
Generative AI
Deep Learning
Foundation Model Architectures
Bayesian Inference
Latent Variable Models

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the role of a Senior/Lead Machine Learning Engineer. Highlight your leadership experience, technical expertise in ML, and any relevant projects in biotech or AI.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about AI in drug discovery. Share specific examples of how you've led teams or projects that relate to foundation models and probabilistic ML systems.

Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t shy away from detailing your technical skills in your application. Mention your experience with deep learning systems, distributed training infrastructure, and any familiarity with Bayesian inference or generative AI techniques.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to lead a cutting-edge ML team.

How to prepare for a job interview at SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation™

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on the latest in foundation models and probabilistic AI. Be ready to discuss your experience with deep learning systems and how you've applied them in production. This role is all about technical depth, so show them you’re not just familiar but passionate about these topics.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Since this is a team lead position, be prepared to talk about your leadership style. Share specific examples of how you've mentored engineers or researchers in the past. Highlight your experience in shaping technical strategies and how you’ve successfully scaled teams in a startup environment.

Collaborate Like a Pro

This role involves working closely with computational biologists and other stakeholders. Think of examples where you’ve collaborated across disciplines. Emphasise your communication skills and how you’ve managed stakeholder expectations in previous projects.

Be Ready for Technical Challenges

Expect some technical questions or case studies during the interview. Prepare to solve problems on the spot, especially related to distributed training infrastructure or generative AI systems. Practising these scenarios can help you feel more confident and demonstrate your problem-solving abilities.