Machine Learning Engineer, AI (SFIA 3) in Cheltenham

Work on exciting public sector projects and make a positive difference in people’s lives. At Zaizi, we thrive on solving complex challenges through creative thinking and the latest tools and tech. As a Machine Learning Engineer, you’ll research machine learning models and evaluate how they can be applied within our specialist domain, working with a small team who deliver AI capabilities for the UK government. You'll be curious about all flavours of AI from classical ML to the latest generative and adversarial techniques and keen to keep learning as the field moves. You'll bring a general understanding of software engineering alongside your ML knowledge and enjoy research, experimenting with new approaches and figuring out how they translate into practical capability for our customers. You'll work closely with a small, high-performing team of engineers and researchers, contributing ideas and picking up new skills as you go. Our work culture is inclusive, modern, friendly, and democratic. We look for bright, positive thinking individuals with a can do attitude and a genuine appetite for learning. Our people enjoy challenging themselves to be the best at what they do, if that sounds like you, you'll fit right in! And the work itself matters: you'll be helping to keep the UK safe.

These are the expected objectives for this role:

• Model Research & Evaluation: Research emerging machine learning models and techniques, and assess how they could be applied within our specialist domain.
• Applied AI Research: Turn research into practical proofs of concept, exploring generative, adversarial and other AI approaches.
• Domain Application: Work with the team to understand our customers problems in depth and translate ML capability into solutions that fit their specialist domain.
• Continuous Learning: Keep pace with the fast moving field of AI building knowledge across different model types and techniques and sharing what you learn with the team.

Core Competencies

• Research Skills: Comfortable reading and evaluating ML research and translating findings into practical ideas worth testing.
• Technology Implementation: Ability to evaluate new AI technologies generative, adversarial or otherwise for relevance and feasibility within the UK Government Domain.
• Advanced Prototyping: Ability to build proof of concept applications that bridge the gap between initial research and real-world application.
• Specialist Advice: Keen to grow into a technical resource for the practical application of AI within the organisation, sharing knowledge as your expertise builds.
• Data Science: Applying data science techniques to support model research, evaluation, and refinement.
• Team Fit: A quick learner who's easy to work with, and will slot naturally into a close-knit, high-performing team.

Required Skills

• Technical Expertise: Solid understanding of machine learning algorithms and frameworks with a general grounding in software engineering practices and a genuine curiosity about how ML models work.
• Python: Strong proficiency and hands‑on programming experience in Python are required.
• ML Frameworks: Practical experience working with machine learning frameworks (e.g. Pytorch) to build, train, evaluate, and deploy models.
• Version Control: Proficiency with Git for version control and collaborative development is required.
• Containerisation: Familiarity with Docker is required to package, deploy, and run applications across environments.

Additional / Welcome Skills (nice to have)

• Frontend Development: Experience with frontend technologies, specifically JavaScript and React, to help build interactive user interfaces for our prototypes.
• Cloud Services: Experience working with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Systems/Backend Languages: Familiarity with other languages used for high-performance backend or ML workloads, such as Rust or C++.

Studies show that women and black, Asian and minority ethics people are less likely to apply for a job unless they meet every qualification. So if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with the job description, we’d love you to still apply. You might just be the perfect person for this role, or another role here at Zaizi. We actively welcome applications from people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, individuals with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, parents, carers, and those from lower socio‑economic backgrounds. If you need any accommodations to support your specific situation, please feel free to let us know. For candidates who are neurodiverse or have disabilities, we are happy to make any adjustments needed throughout the interview process—just ask!

SC Clearance

Zaizi works with UK Central Government departments on a range of projects. To be able to work on our customer projects, employees must be Security Cleared to a standard acceptable to our Government customers. Due to this restriction we can currently only recruit candidates who have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship and who have lived in the UK for the last 5+ years continuously.

Compensation

• Competitive Pay: Salaries reviewed annually to ensure they reflect your performance and market value.
• Loyalty Pension: We invest in your future. Starting at a 5% employer contribution, we increase this by 0.5% every year after your third anniversary, up to a maximum of 8%.
• Protection: Comprehensive Group Life Assurance for peace of mind.

Purpose & Culture

• Real Impact: Work on mission‑critical projects that secure and improve the UK's digital infrastructure.
• Autonomy: A culture that empowers you to make decisions, prototype rapidly, and iterate towards success.
• Service & Community: We support those who serve. 10 paid days for Reservist Military Service.

Work / Life Balance

• Time Off: 25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays, with the flexibility to Buy/Sell additional days to suit your lifestyle.
• Giving back: 2 paid volunteering days per year.

Development & Growth

• Master Your Craft: Fully funded professional certifications (AWS, GCP, Agile, etc.) supported by 5 days paid study leave.
• Expand Your Horizons: An additional £500 annual "Personal Choice" fund to learn whatever inspires you—work‑related or not.
• Support: Access to 1‑2‑1 professional coaching and team training to accelerate your career.

Health & Balance

• Premium Health: Vitality Private Medical Insurance (includes Apple Watch, gym discounts, and rewards).
• Flexibility: Genuine hybrid working with a WFH equipment allowance to perfect your home setup.
• Wellbeing: Cycle to Work scheme and a commitment to sustainable, healthy working practices.