Our client is a major defence and aerospace company.
Please read the information in this job post thoroughly to understand exactly what is expected of potential candidates. Date Posted: 2026-05-28 Country: United Kingdom Location: Gloucester, South Gloucestershire Position Role Type: Hybrid Our client has a perm opportunity for a Principal Data Scientist and Machine Learning Researcher to join our Strategic Research Group (SRG). As a Principal Data Scientist and Machine Learning Researcher, you will work with high levels of autonomy and be responsible for the design, planning and technical leadership of multiple AI/ML projects. You will help lead and set technical and strategic direction for the group, support with customer and stakeholder engagement and deliver technical solutions on internal and external projects. The Strategic Research Group (SRG) is a team of Data Science, Machine Learning and AI specialists who develop novel AI solutions to mission focussed problems. This opportunity is available in our Gloucester, Manchester or London team, working in a hybrid capacity (average of 3 days a week on-site). You must already hold or be able to gain SC clearance (required on Day 1) and eDV clearance (once started). Responsibilities: Support the Head of Data Science & Machine Learning using your experience to contribute to the group strategy and stakeholder engagement. Bring ideas for novel research that will drive competitive advantage in across our customer community. Work with autonomy to develop complex, novel data science solutions. Support in triaging and responding to opportunities, aligning to the group and wider business strategies. Design and deliver data-centric solutions while working collaboratively across disciplines. Technical delivery of research and applied AI/ML tasks on both customer and internal research projects. Provide technical leadership across multiple projects. Manage more junior team members across the SRG. Deliver AI/ML/Data Science solutions to broad range of problems in defence. Work with customers and internal stakeholders to determine appropriate technical approaches and do the technical development required for delivery. Excellent communication skills, prepared to present and undertake practical demonstrations of work internally in the team, to senior stakeholders and at conferences with adaptability to audiences of different levels of technical expertise. Required Skills & Experience BSc in Machine Learning, Data Science, Computer Science, Mathematics or related field. Multiple years experience of delivering novel ML solutions to customers and internal stakeholders. Excellent coding practice using Python and associated ML packages (HuggingFace, TensorFlow, PyTorch), following best practices. Experience developing robust ML pipelines with MLOps tools for model training, monitoring and deployment. Experience of appropriate version control and environment management (such as venvs or Docker). Experience of writing technical project proposals. Experience of managing teams. This can be technical leadership and/or line management. Experience of leading teams following agile principles. Expert knowledge of AI/ML algorithms for different data types and tasks including Generative AI, NLP and computer vision, sufficient to be able to propose research beyond existing literature. Experience of training and developing AI models including Large Language Models. Ability to produce high-quality scientific writing for internal & external stakeholders as well as academic publications. Ability to work with high levels of autonomy, with awareness of appropriate business policies and strategy to dictate your actions. Desirable Skills & Experience PhD. or Masters degree highlighting experience of academic research. Experience of deploying AI models in a scalable way for external users. Experience developing supporting systems for AI deployments (e.g. backend databases, front end UIs) Working knowledge of Linux systems, using basic commandline functionality (e.g. AWS CLI, Docker CLI, Linux commands like ssh, ls, cd…) Experience working in Cloud, especially AWS but also equivalents such as GCP or Azure. Research publications in peer reviewed journals. Experience of delivering AI/ML projects in defence or government. Existing network of contacts across defence and government. Benefits and Work Culture 37hr working week with early finish Fridays - start your weekend early!
An informal, flexible working culture that is output focused, not time spent at desk.
25 days holiday + statutory public holidays, plus opportunity to buy and sell up to 5 days and up to 5 paid days volunteering.
Contributory Pension Scheme (up to 10.5% company contribution)
Annual company bonus scheme (discretionary).
6 times salary ‘Life Assurance' with pension.
Flexible Benefits scheme with extensive salary sacrifice schemes, including Health Cashplan, Dental, and Cycle to Work amongst others.
Enhanced sick pay.
Enhanced family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity & shared parental leave.
Our client You will be based within the area of the business providing DevSecOps at scale, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, cyber and geospatial intelligence capabilities to support the defence, intelligence and cyber sectors. Collaborating with customers and suppliers to deliver secure, mission critical systems using the latest technologies and innovations. We take immense pride in being a leader in defence and aerospace technology. As an employer, we are dedicated to fuelling innovation, nurturing talent, and fostering a culture of excellence. Joining our team means being part of an organisation that shapes the future of national security whilst investing in your growth and personal development. We provide a collaborative environment, abundant opportunities for professional development, and a profound sense of purpose in what we do. Together, we are not just advancing technology; we're building a community committed to safeguarding a safer and more connected world. Its parent company Our client is a landed company and part of the wider its parent company organisation. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, USA, but with over 180,000 employees globally across every continent, its parent company provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide and comprises three industry-leading businesses – an aircraft systems business, an aircraft engines business, and our client. Supporting over 35,000 jobs across 13 UK sites, its parent company is helping to drive prosperity. Each year our work contributes over £2.7bn to the UK economy and offers a wealth of opportunities to 4,000 suppliers across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. We're investing in all corners of the country, supporting 29,040 jobs in England, 3,040 in Northern Ireland, 1,900 in Scotland and 1,600 in Wales. xrexnqw #LI-BZ1 C&I Its parent company adheres to the principles of equal employment. All qualified applications will be given careful consideration without regard to ethnicity, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. Privacy Policy and Terms: Click on this link to read the Policy and Terms
