At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and deliver advanced AI capabilities in scientific software with a collaborative team.
- Company: Waters Corporation, a global leader in life sciences and diagnostics.
- Benefits: Innovative work environment, diverse teams, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values diversity and supports personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact by applying AI to complex scientific challenges.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant field and extensive experience in AI/ML systems.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Waters are seeking a Principal AI and Machine Learning Software Engineer to play a key role in shaping and delivering advanced AI capabilities within Waters’ scientific software portfolio across cloud and on‑prem platforms. You will work with a collaborative, multidisciplinary team to apply machine learning, LLMs, and emerging AI approaches to support complex data analysis and scientific discovery. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to meaningful, real‑world applications in a domain where accuracy and reliability matter. You will help guide technical direction, collaborate with scientists and engineers, and support the continued growth of AI capabilities across the organisation.
Responsibilities
- Contribute to the technical direction for AI/ML capabilities within Waters’ scientific software portfolio, aligning with product goals, scientific needs, and long-term scalability.
- Design and develop AI solutions (including ML models, LLM-enabled workflows, and agent-based systems) to support data analysis, interpretation, and automation in scientific applications.
- Drive the design and implementation of robust, production-grade ML systems, ensuring performance, reproducibility, and compliance with regulated industry standards.
- Work closely with scientific partners, product teams, and engineers to identify opportunities where AI can add value and improve user outcomes.
- Support the development of best practices for model lifecycle management, validation, and responsible AI in regulated environments.
- Share knowledge and provide guidance to engineers and data scientists, contributing to a supportive and high-performing team environment.
- Evaluate and introduce emerging AI technologies, tools, and architectural patterns (e.g. LLM orchestration, context protocols, RAG) to maintain Waters’ innovation leadership.
Qualifications
- Degree or higher in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related discipline (Master’s or PhD preferred).
- Extensive experience designing, building, and deploying AI/ML systems in production, ideally within scientific, analytical, or regulated software environments.
- Deep expertise in machine learning and AI system design, including model development, evaluation, optimisation, and real-world data challenges.
- Strong hands-on experience with modern AI/ML frameworks (e.g. PyTorch, TensorFlow) and familiarity with LLM ecosystems, agent architectures, and related tooling.
- Proven ability to design scalable architectures and deliver complex systems in Python, C#, or TypeScript, applying object-oriented principles with a strong focus on maintainability and unit testing.
- Demonstrated technical leadership, including architecture ownership, mentoring engineers, and influencing cross-functional stakeholders.
- Experience with scientific data or analytical instrumentation is highly desirable.
We're actively building diverse teams and welcome applications from everyone. But simply having a diverse workforce is not enough. We aim to build an inclusive environment, where everyone can contribute their best work and develop to their full potential. We celebrate our differences and recognise the importance of teams reflecting the communities they serve. We can make reasonable adjustments to our interview process according to your needs.
Principal AI and Machine Learning Software Engineer employer: Waters Corporation
Waters Corporation is an exceptional employer located in Wilmslow, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation thrives. As a Principal AI and Machine Learning Software Engineer, you will be part of a collaborative team dedicated to advancing scientific discovery through cutting-edge AI technologies. The company fosters a culture of diversity and inclusion, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development while contributing to meaningful projects that have a real-world impact on health and safety.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal AI and Machine Learning Software Engineer
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Waters Corporation or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Waters Corporation.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Waters Corporation.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Waters Corporation that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal AI and Machine Learning Software Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Waters Corporation.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Waters Corporation and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Waters Corporation
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Waters Corporation uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
