Principal Research Engineer – National Security (TIRE)

The Role

The Defence & Security programme at the Turing is looking to expand a high performing team of research scientists/engineers working on real-world problems aligned with securing the UK and looking to appoint an experienced Principal Research Engineer. Following in the footsteps of the institute’s namesake, Alan Turing, the team operates at the intersection of mathematics, engineering and computing and works in close collaboration with the Turing’s National Security partners.

Your Profile

• A PhD degree or equivalent professional experience in a field with significant use of both computer programming and advanced algorithmic, statistical or numerical techniques.
• A deep and wide understanding of the problems of the Turing’s National Security partners and a portfolio of appropriate approaches to solving these problems.
• Professional experience in a field or sector with significant use of both computer programming and advanced algorithmic, statistical or numerical techniques.
• Fluency in one or more modern programming languages used in data science. In particular, we predominantly work in Python, but demonstrable use of other programming languages (e.g. modern C++, Java, Scala, Julia, R, Javascript, Rust, Go) together with a facility for learning new languages.
• Direct experience developing and deploying technologies in support of Defence and National Security organisations.
• Ability to contribute and maintain and/or lead research software projects.
• Experience mentoring and evaluating the work of others
• Developed Vetting clearance

Main Duties

In this role you must have and maintain a deep and wide understanding of:

• Problems of the Turing’s National Security partners and a portfolio of appropriate approaches to solving these problems.
• Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence eco-system, especially where applicable to the requirements of the Turing’s National Security partners.
• DevOps methodology, ways of working and best practice.

You will:

• Development, implement, deploy and maintain state-of-the-art and novel data science and artificial intelligence capabilities emerging from the TIRE team, the wider Institute and elsewhere to problems faced by the Turing’s partners.
• Maintain a significant proportion of their time operating as an individual contributor, performing experiments and developing capabilities, which might include: building and deploying machine learning models; applying data science, statistical and algorithmic techniques to data; building microservices, data processing/engineering systems and platforms or developing user interfaces and/or visualisations.
• Provide technical project management and leadership for software projects, ensuring successful outcomes;
• Liaise with clients and colleagues to understand and prioritise project goals, and balancing client value with research outputs;

Please see our portal for a full breakdown of the role.

Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance is an essential requirement for this role. Further information on the process can be found on the UK Government security vetting website

Closing date for applications: Sunday 16 February 2025 at 23:59

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early or to interview suitable candidates before the closing date if enough applications are received.

Term and Conditions

This full-time post is offered on a permanent basis. The annual salary is £75,732 plus excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies, Employee-only benefits guide | The Alan Turing Institute

This role will be based at the hub8 working space in Cheltenham. This is a hybrid post, the postholder will be expected to attend hub8 in Cheltenham regularly. The successful candidate must be an existing DV clearance holder.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Alan Turing Institute is committed to creating an environment where diversity is valued and everyone is treated fairly. In accordance with the Equality Act, we welcome applications from anyone who meets the specific criteria of the post regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. Reasonable adjustments to the interview process can also be made for any candidates with a disability.