AI Engineer

Platform Recruitment; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 126,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

Platform Recruitment is seeking a Senior AI/ML Engineer with defence domain focus for Middlesbrough. The role combines hands-on development from concept to production, client interaction, and advanced AI research in a high-calibre team environment.

You will work on demanding AI and software problems for defence clients, with high standards, meaningful impact, and a culture that values depth and knowledge sharing.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of ML and AI at the algorithmic level, not just API calls or framework usage.
• Expertise across agentic AI, LLM integration and RAG, AI safety and security, edge AI, AI explainability, AI robustness in contested environments, multi-modal AI, or novel learning approaches.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Hands-on work across the AI stack from proof of concept through to production systems and direct client engagement.
• Collaborate with exceptional engineers in a collaborative, low-ego culture where knowledge sharing is central.
• Deliver high-quality software engineering practices, testing, and robust implementation in defence AI projects.

Skills

Advanced ML/AI concepts

Python programming

Full AI stack delivery

Security clearance eligibility

Defence domain experience

Education

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

Masters or PhD (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.