AI Engineer - SC Cleared

Searchability NS&D; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 63,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Up to 6% matched pension

On-site parking

Job summary

Searchability NS&D in Newcastle upon Tyne is seeking an AI Engineer to work on Defence projects from research to production. You will apply AI/ML, build robust software, and deliver end-to-end AI solutions across LLMs/RAG, edge AI, and explainability.

The role requires strong Python skills, deep understanding of AI fundamentals, and the ability to collaborate in a fast-paced, outcome-focused team. On-site role with expensed travel and comprehensive package.

Qualifications

• Strong AI/ML fundamentals and algorithms.
• Experience with LLMs/RAG, agentic AI, multi-modal AI, edge AI, AI safety, explainability or ML research.
• Strong Python skills and solid software engineering fundamentals.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.
• Comfortable working with ambiguity while remaining outcome-focused.

Responsibilities

• Deliver AI solutions from POCs through to production.
• Apply ML/AI techniques to Defence challenges.
• Provide technical expertise across projects and client engagements.
• Develop robust, maintainable software using strong engineering practices.
• Work across LLMs/RAG, agentic AI, multi-modal AI, edge AI, explainability and AI robustness.
• Collaborate with engineers and share knowledge.

Skills

Python programming

AI/ML basics

LLMs/RAG

Agentic AI

Multi-modal AI

Edge AI

Explainability

Strong communication

Education

1st or 2:1 degree in CS/Math/ML

Tools

Python

Job description

• Newcastle - on-site role, expensed wider travel required
• Up to £105,000 DoE + package
• Active SC or DV Clearance required
• 2-stage virtual interview process
• Experience required in AI/ML, LLMs, Python, Customer Consultancy

We're supporting a fast-growing, high-performing technical consultancy specialising in AI, data and software solutions across Defence and financial services. The business brings together high-calibre technical talent to solve complex problems in demanding environments. Headquartered in Newcastle, they are building a growing team of engineers working on cutting-edge technology for secure sector customers.

The Role

As an AI Engineer, you'll work across Defence projects ranging from early-stage research and POCs through to fully engineered AI solutions. Projects can span AI safety and security, edge AI, explainability, robustness in contested environments, agentic AI, LLMs/RAG and multi-modal AI, alongside novel machine learning approaches. This is a hands-on opportunity with exposure across the AI engineering stack and working on technically challenging, real-world problems.

Responsibilities

• Deliver AI solutions from POCs through to production
• Apply ML/AI techniques to complex Defence challenges
• Provide technical expertise across projects and client engagements
• Develop robust, maintainable software using strong engineering practices
• Work across LLMs/RAG, agentic AI, multi-modal AI, edge AI, explainability and AI robustness
• Collaborate with engineers and share technical knowledge

Experience Required

• Strong understanding of AI/ML fundamentals and underlying algorithms
• Experience in one or more areas including LLMs/RAG, agentic AI, multi-modal AI, edge AI, AI safety, explainability or ML research
• Strong Python skills and solid software engineering fundamentals
• Strong communication and collaborative skills
• Comfortable working with ambiguity while remaining outcome-focused
• 1st or 2:1 degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Machine Learning or related discipline
• Defence/Secure Sector experience advantageous

What's on Offer

• Salary up to £105,000 DoE + discretionary bonus
• Exposure across research, POCs and production AI systems
• Develop skills across the full AI engineering stack
• Learn from experienced AI and software engineers
• Collaborative, low-ego engineering environment
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Up to 6% matched pension
• Private healthcare