AI Engineer

Meritus; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Meritus is recruiting for an AI Engineer to join a leading tech consultancy delivering Defence, Security and Government solutions in Cambridge. You will lead the design and delivery of AI and ML projects, balancing hands-on engineering with technical leadership and stakeholder engagement.

The role requires 3+ years of AI/ML experience, strong Python, and a track record of working with complex systems. SC clearance eligibility is advantageous, with on-site Cambridge work three days per week.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience delivering AI/ML or advanced algorithmic solutions.
• Experience in Defence, National Security or Government sectors.
• Strong expertise in Transformer Models, Diffusion Models, RL, CV or machine perception.
• Strong Python and software engineering skills.
• Degree in Computer Science, AI, ML, Mathematics, Physics or related field.
• SC Clearance eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical delivery of AI, ML and advanced algorithm projects.
• Act as technical lead and solution architect on complex programmes.
• Apply techniques including Transformer Models, LLMs, Reinforcement Learning, Computer Vision or Machine Perception.
• Provide technical oversight, governance and peer review across projects.
• Work directly with customers to define requirements and deliver innovative solutions.
• Support proposals, bids and business development activities.
• Mentor engineers and contribute to technical standards and best practice.

Skills

AI/ML experience

Python

Technical leadership

Customer-facing

SC clearance eligible

Education

Degree in CS/AI/ML/Math/Physics

Job description

AI ENGINEER (DEFENCE & SECURITY) - UP TO £90,000 - CAMBRIDGE (3 DAYS PER WEEK ON-SITE) - SC CLEARANCE ELIGIBLE

MERITUS are recruiting for AI Engineers to join a leading technology and engineering consultancy delivering cutting-edge solutions across the Defence, Security and Government sectors.

This is an excellent opportunity for AI Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, Data Scientist or Algorithms Engineer to combine hands-on technical delivery with technical leadership, customer engagement and business development.

Working alongside multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists, you'll lead the design and delivery of advanced AI, Machine Learning and Algorithmic solutions, helping solve complex challenges for Defence and Security customers.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the technical delivery of AI, Machine Learning and Advanced Algorithm projects.
• Act as technical lead and solution architect on complex programmes.
• Apply techniques including Transformer Models, LLMs, Reinforcement Learning, Computer Vision, Sensor Processing and Statistical Modelling.
• Provide technical oversight, governance and peer review across projects.
• Work directly with customers to define requirements and deliver innovative solutions.
• Support proposals, bids and business development activities.
• Mentor engineers and contribute to technical standards and best practice.

Skills & Experience:

• 3+ years' experience developing and delivering AI, Machine Learning or Advanced Algorithmic solutions.
• Experience within the Defence, National Security or Government sectors.
• Strong expertise in one or more of Transformer Models, Diffusion Models, Reinforcement Learning, Computer Vision or Machine Perception.
• Strong Python and software engineering skills.
• Experience leading technical teams and architecting complex solutions.
• Customer-facing experience and the ability to communicate with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Degree qualified in Computer Science, AI, Machine Learning, Mathematics, Physics or a related discipline.
• SC Clearance eligibility.

Desirable:

• Signal Processing, Sensor Fusion or Edge Computing experience.
• Numerical Optimisation, Simulation or Statistical Modelling expertise.
• Proposal leadership, technical sales or client development experience.
• PhD, published research or conference speaking experience.

Benefits:

• Up to £90,000 base salary
• 10% bonus
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Private Medical Insurance
• Work on cutting-edge AI and Defence technology programmes
• Access to specialist labs and advanced computing resources
• Excellent career progression and technical leadership opportunitiesThis is a fantastic opportunity for a Principal AI Engineer, Principal Machine Learning Engineer, Lead Data Scientist or Principal Algorithms Engineer to play a key role in developing next-generation intelligent systems for Defence and Security applications