Principal Agentic AI Engineer (Defence and Security)

Cambridge Consultants; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cambridge Consultants is seeking a Principal Engineer in AI & Algorithms with a defence and security focus. You’ll lead AI design and testing, architect approaches, and work with clients to win and deliver projects. Expect hands-on engineering combined with client-facing activities and mentoring, in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.

Security clearance is required or obtainable. This role offers hybrid working with some office presence in Cambridge, UK, and opportunities to shape technical

Qualifications

• 5+ years designing and delivering cutting-edge AI solutions, including agentic AI systems.
• Experience assuring the quality of AI outputs and the technologies that enable it.
• Experience collaborating with subject matter experts to create systems with deep domain understanding.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement cutting-edge AI solutions for clients, including agentic AI.
• Act as technical lead and architect on large, complex projects, owning the solution value.
• Set technical direction and review work across the department as the technical authority.
• Lead development of proposals and costed work programmes to win and deliver client work.
• Drive internal capability and demonstrators to stay at the leading edge and engage clients.

Skills

AI/ML expertise

Python

Architectural leadership

Mentoring engineers

Client engagement

Security clearance eligible

Education

Bachelor's degree in AI/ML, CS, Math or Physics

Job description

The Role

We have an opportunity for a Principal Engineer in our AI & Algorithms department, working with a particular focus on our defence and security clients. You'll join a team of talented engineers and scientists designing, building and testing intelligent systems that require cutting edge algorithms. As one of the senior technical voices in the team, you'll be architecting the AI approach on projects, setting the technical bar for others, and helping shape the work we deliver. As well as hands-on engineering, you'll spend time with clients, using your expertise to win new projects as well as deliver them. You'll work in multidisciplinary teams that use our labs and computing resources to enable us to deliver ambitious projects.

The Role

We have an opportunity for a Principal Engineer in our AI & Algorithms department, working with a particular focus on our defence and security clients. You'll join a team of talented engineers and scientists designing, building and testing intelligent systems that require cutting edge algorithms. As one of the senior technical voices in the team, you'll be architecting the AI approach on projects, setting the technical bar for others, and helping shape the work we deliver. As well as hands-on engineering, you'll spend time with clients, using your expertise to win new projects as well as deliver them. You'll work in multidisciplinary teams that use our labs and computing resources to enable us to deliver ambitious projects.

Much of our defence and security work requires security clearance, so we ask for it up front. You won't work exclusively in that sector, but a genuine interest in it matters to us.

What you’ll be doing

• Designing and implementing cutting-edge AI solutions to our clients’ problems, such as agentic AI that can search for, interpret and analyse information as well as plan and act to achieve a goal.
• Acting as technical lead and architect on our larger, more complex projects, owning the technical solution and the value it delivers to the client.
• Setting technical direction and acting as technical reviewer across the department, with your opinion sought by colleagues.
• Leading the development of proposals and costed work programmes, turning client problems into work we can win and deliver.
• Driving internal capability and demonstrators that keep us at the leading edge and open up new conversations with clients.
• Mentoring engineers and conducting technical interviews to help us recruit and grow strong people.
• Contributing to how the department works, improving our processes and technical standards.

What you can bring

• 5+ years’ experience designing and delivering cutting edge AI solutions, including experience delivering agentic AI systems.
• Experience in assuring the quality of the output of AI systems and the technologies that help to achieve this.
• Experience collaborating with subject matter experts to create systems that are built on deep and specialist domain understanding.
• A strong undergraduate degree in a relevant technical subject, such as AI/machine learning, computer science, mathematics or physics.
• Strong Python and software engineering judgement.
• The ability to architect the technical approach on complex projects and to review the work of others, including working autonomously as the technical authority.
• Experience mentoring and developing engineers.
• Experience working with non-technical stakeholders for your work.
• Interest in working directly with clients and contributing to proposals and sales conversations.
• A genuine affinity for working in the defence and security sector.

Because of where this role sits, holding (or being able to obtain) UK security clearance is essential. You must be eligible to obtain Security Check (SC) level security clearance (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/united-kingdom-security-vetting-applicant). You must be able to work in the UK without restrictions in accordance with UK National Law and be prepared to successfully undertake an appropriate level of UK National Security Vetting according to UK Government criteria. We offer a flexible approach to hybrid working, although some of the projects you will be working on will require full-time working in the office.

Why Cambridge Consultants

Cambridge Consultants creates exciting and novel breakthroughs in technology and products. Our work on intelligent systems area has helped create world-first and market-changing technologies including real-time AI-enhanced medical imaging, autonomous defence systems against cyberattacks, and edge algorithms to help visually impaired people navigate indoor spaces. We combine our research output with engineering rigour to create innovative and robust solutions to solve complex problems presented to us by our clients. We help clients across a diverse range of markets, including defence/security, healthcare, biotech, industrial and energy, so there is no shortage of variety.

At the heart of what we do are talented and motivated multi-disciplinary teams empowered to create cutting-edge technologies and systems to solve difficult problems for our clients. We offer a diverse, fun, and challenging work environment where you'll have the chance to work on a wide variety of projects that deliver real value using technology.

We recognise and celebrate individual talent and we understand the importance of letting individuals be just that. Our people are here to do the best work of their lives and our job is to provide the platform for them to do it.

Diversity & Inclusion

Cambridge Consultants is a workplace where everyone is welcome. When the brightest minds come together and feel included, that's when we develop the most important technology breakthroughs. We believe that diversity can only flourish when everyone feels involved and has a sense of belonging. We welcome and value all people regardless of their characteristics and encourage applications from all backgrounds and dimensions of society.

By submitting an application to Cambridge Consultants, you confirm that the information provided in this application, together with any supporting documentation, is true, complete, and accurate to the best of your knowledge and belief. You understand that any false statement, misleading information, or material omission may render you liable to disqualification from the recruitment process, withdrawal of any offer of employment, or dismissal without notice if discovered following appointment. You acknowledge that the organisation reserves the right to verify the information supplied.