Machine Learning Engineer

Elanco; Hook; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading animal health company in Hook, UK is seeking a Machine Learning Engineer to design and build custom ML models that translate business problems into AI solutions. The ideal candidate will have strong skills in Python, MLOps, and a solid understanding of machine learning principles. This role includes developing MLOps pipelines and working in a hybrid environment. A commitment to diversity and inclusion is emphasized.

Benefits

Diverse and inclusive work environment

Career growth opportunities

Hybrid work model

Qualifications

• Advanced proficiency in Python and deep experience with core ML/data science libraries.
• Proven, hands-on experience deploying ML models into production.
• Solid understanding of theoretical foundations of ML algorithms.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and train bespoke ML models tailored to specific business needs.
• Identify, tune and deploy third-party ML models.
• Manage deployment of ML models into production environments.

Skills

Python

MLOps

Machine learning theory

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Docker

Kubernetes

Microsoft Azure

Google Cloud Platform

Job description

Overview

At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals!

As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.

At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you’ll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.

Making animals’ lives better makes life better – join our team today!

Driven by the quickening pace of innovation, Animal Health is on the verge of a revolution, powered by digital business models, technology and data.

Elanco IT is a catalyst for change, partnering to identify and deliver transformative solutions to solve our biggest business problems.

This includes four strategic priorities:

Pipeline Acceleration: Optimise the search and approval of high impact medicines with a focus on speed, cost and precision.

Manufacturing Excellence: Improve the efficiency, quality and consistency of core manufacturing processes, specifically execution and equipment effectiveness.

Sales Effectiveness: Simplify the process to find, trust and consume relevant customer insights that drive sales growth and improved engagement.

Productivity: Expand operating margin through efficiency by systematically reducing our operating expenses across the company, improving profitability.

Your role

As a Machine Learning (ML) Engineer at Elanco, you will be a key member of our engineering team, specializing in the end-to-end lifecycle of custom and third-party (including open source) machine learning models. You will translate complex business problems into scalable, production-ready AI solutions. This role is focused on the practical application of machine learning, requiring a strong blend of software engineering discipline and deep ML expertise to design, build, and deploy models that deliver real-world value.

Your Responsibilities

• Custom Model Development: Design, build, and train bespoke ML models tailored to specific business needs, from initial prototype to full implementation.
• Third-Party Model Utilisation: Identify, tune and deploy third-party ML models, covering proprietary and open-source models.
• Production Deployment: Manage the deployment of ML models into our production environments, ensuring they are scalable, reliable, and performant.
• MLOps and Automation: Build and maintain robust MLOps pipelines for CI/CD, model monitoring, and automated retraining.
• Data Pipeline Construction: Collaborate with data engineers/stewards to build and optimise data pipelines that feed ML models, ensuring data quality and efficient processing for both training and inference.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with data scientists, product managers, and software engineers to define requirements, integrate models into applications, and deliver impactful features.
• Code and System Quality: Write clean, maintainable, and well-tested production-grade code. Uphold high software engineering standards across all projects.
• Performance Tuning: Monitor and analyse model performance in production, identifying opportunities for optimization and iteration.

What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications)

• Educational Background: A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, or a related quantitative field.
• Programming Excellence: Advanced proficiency in Python and deep experience with core ML/data science libraries (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, scikit-learn, pandas, NumPy).
• Software Engineering Fundamentals: Strong foundation in software engineering principles, including data structures, algorithms, testing, and version control (Git).
• ML Model Deployment: Proven, hands-on experience deploying machine learning models into a production environment.
• MLOps Tooling: Experience with MLOps tools and frameworks and containerisation technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Cloud Platform Proficiency: Practical experience with Public Cloud, specifically Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and their ML services (e.g., Azure ML, Vertex AI).
• DevSecOps: Proven experience with CI/CD, Git SCM, Containerisation (Docker, Kubernetes), Infrastructure-as-Code (HashiCorp Terraform).
• Machine Learning Theory: Solid understanding of the theoretical foundations of machine learning algorithms, including deep learning, NLP, and classical ML.
• Problem-Solving: A pragmatic and results-oriented approach to problem-solving, with the ability to translate ambiguous requirements into concrete technical solutions.
• Industry Experience: A broad understanding of life science, covering the business model, regulatory/compliance requirements, risks and rewards. Ability to identify and execute opportunities within machine learning that directly support life science outcomes.
• Communication: Excellent communication skills, capable of articulating complex technical decisions and outcomes to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Additional Information

• Travel: 0-10%

• Location: Hook, UK - Hybrid Work Environment

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you think you might be a good fit for a role but don\'t necessarily meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role or other roles!

Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status