Defence AI Principal Data Scientist

AI Startups UK; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited Annual Leave

Private healthcare and dental

Enhanced parental leave

Family-Friendly Flexibility & Flexible

Sanctus Coaching

Hybrid Working

Job summary

Faculty Defence team is seeking a Principal Data Scientist to lead high-impact AI delivery for national security clients. You will own the strategy, shape cutting-edge ML solutions, and mentor a growing team of data scientists.

The role requires eligibility for UK Security Clearance (SC) and will involve on-site work 2–4 days per week with clients, with the option to work from our London office or remotely across the UK.

Qualifications

• Deep domain expertise in Defence or related industries.
• Experience mentoring junior colleagues and managing teams.
• Broad knowledge of ML techniques including Generative AI and LLMs.
• Advanced Python coding and scalable codebase experience.
• Strong decision-making with time/resource constraints.
• Engaging communicator with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Own and grow strategic Defence ML portfolio.
• Translate challenges into technical roadmaps; lead scoping and delivery.
• Write production-grade code setting technical standards.
• Act as technical authority on ML across Faculty.
• Partner with commercial and delivery teams for technical selling.
• Mentor data scientists through complex problem solving.

Skills

Defence domain expertise

Mentoring

Generative AI

Large Language Models

Python

Technical leadership

Stakeholder communication

Job description

Faculty Defence team is seeking a Principal Data Scientist to lead high-impact AI delivery for national security clients. You will own the strategy, shape cutting-edge ML solutions, and mentor a growing team of data scientists.

The role requires eligibility for UK Security Clearance (SC) and will involve on-site work 2–4 days per week with clients, with the option to work from our London office or remotely across the UK.