ML / LLM Research Engineer

Ncounter; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus for DV clearance

Job summary

Ncounter is seeking an ML / LLM Research Engineer for National Security in Manchester. The role blends hands-on engineering with research into the security and behaviour of Large Language Models, using Python.

You will explore model internals, data flow, training implications and risks within secure environments, turning academic ideas into practical experiments. The position is permanent, onsite about three days per week with hybrid work, and requires active SC clearance; salary £80k-£90k plus

Qualifications

• Active SC clearance as a minimum; high-grade experience valuable.
• Strong Python development skills; this is hands-on engineering.
• Solid knowledge of ML and Deep Neural Networks; understanding of internal model operation.

Responsibilities

• Investigate model internals and security considerations within secure environments.
• Contribute across the ML engineering lifecycle from research to production.
• Deliver production‑quality code, tests, documentation and code reviews.

Skills

Python development

Machine Learning

Deep Neural Networks

SC clearance

Education

MSc/PhD in STEM

Job description

ML / LLM Research Engineer, National Security

£80,000 to £90,000 + 10% bonus for DV clearance

Manchester | Hybrid / Secure Site Working | Permanent

Ncounter is supporting a growing technology consultancy looking for an experienced ML Research Engineer to join a specialist team working across AI, machine learning and secure government programmes. The immediate project is particularly interesting, combining hands‑on engineering with genuine research into the security and behaviour of Large Language Models. Rather than simply building applications around existing AI tooling, you will investigate how models work internally, exploring areas such as how information is processed, where data moves, whether it could contribute to future training and whether models present risks when deployed within secure environments. This will involve taking ideas from academic research and turning them into practical experiments, primarily using Python.

What we’re looking for:

• Active SC clearance as a minimum, with previous high‑side experience particularly valuable
• Strong Python development skills, this is a hands‑on engineering position and you must be comfortable coding
• Strong underlying knowledge of machine learning and Deep Neural Networks, including an understanding of how models operate internally

Nice to have:

• Research experience, with the ability to understand technical literature and turn findings into practical experiments
• Specific experience with LLMs is highly desirable, particularly research into their architecture, behaviour or security
• A strong mathematical or STEM background, with MSc or PhD-level research particularly attractive
• Exposure to AI/ML security, model safety, explainability or similar areas would be beneficial
• Broader ML engineering skills, allowing you to move between research‑led and more traditional engineering projects over time

The position offers more variety than a purely academic research role. Beyond the initial programme, you will contribute across the wider ML engineering lifecycle, including production‑quality development, testing, documentation and code reviews.

The role is expected to require around three days per week onsite, potentially more when secure environments require it.