AI Engineer

Platform Recruitment; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 84,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Platform Recruitment is seeking a Senior AI/ML Engineer with a Defence focus for a boutique tech consultancy in the UK. Based in Middlesbrough, you will tackle demanding AI/ML problems for defence clients, delivering across research to production systems.

You will work with top engineers in a collaborative culture, applying deep algorithmic ML knowledge and strong Python skills while engaging with clients and guiding projects through production deployment.

Qualifications

• Strong algorithmic ML/AI understanding, not just API usage.
• Proven ability to deliver from research/POC through production.
• Excellent Python skills and software engineering fundamentals.
• Eligibility for UK SC-level security clearance; UK nationals only; visa sponsorship not available.
• Experience in defence is a significant advantage.

Responsibilities

• Hands-on senior role spanning proof of concept to fully engineered production systems.
• Collaborate with exceptional engineers in a collaborative, low-ego culture.
• Engage directly with clients and contribute to applied research and production deployments.

Skills

Python programming

ML/AI theory

Full stack AI delivery

Security clearance eligible

Education

2:1 from a Russell Group university in CS/Math/ML

Masters or PhD is a strong bonus

Job description

Job Title: Senior AI/ML Engineer, Defence

Location: Middlesbrough

Salary: Up to £140,000 + bonus (DEO)

A boutique technical consultancy is deliberately building one of the most academically and technically elite AI engineering teams in the UK.

The consultancy works on demanding AI and software problems for clients in defence. The environments are challenging, the standards are high, and the work carries genuine significance.

This is a hands-on senior engineering role with real breadth, spanning proof of concept through to fully engineered production systems, applied research, and direct client engagement. You will work alongside exceptional engineers in a collaborative, low-ego culture where technical depth is valued and knowledge sharing is central to how the team operates.

What we are looking for

• Deep understanding of ML and AI at the algorithmic level, not just API calls or framework usage
• Expertise across one or more areas including agentic AI, LLM integration and RAG, AI safety and security, edge AI, AI explainability, AI robustness in contested environments, multi-modal AI, or novel approaches to learning
• Excellent Python skills and solid software engineering fundamentals across testing, code quality, and engineering best practices
• Proven ability to deliver across the full AI stack, from research and POC through to production
• Minimum 2:1 from a Russell Group university in Computer Science, Mathematics, Machine Learning, or a related discipline. Masters or PhD is a strong bonus
• Eligibility for UK SC-level security clearance. UK nationals only, visa sponsorship is not available
• Experience in defence is a significant advantage

Why this role

The salary reflects the calibre expected. You will be joining at a pivotal moment in the growth of a consultancy that is attracting some of the strongest technical minds in the country, working on problems that matter, with colleagues who will challenge and develop you.