Principal Machine Learning Engineer

Boost Talent; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 108,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

Boost Talent is seeking a Principal Machine Learning Engineer in London to join a highly technical team building AI and ML solutions processing large-scale real-time data for broad user bases. The role emphasizes hands-on delivery, architectural leadership and production-grade systems across ML, software engineering and distributed computing.

You will shape the direction of a growing AI platform, mentoring engineers and influencing technical strategy while staying close to the codebase.

Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on experience in ML, DL and production AI systems.
• Experience designing, building and deploying ML solutions in live production.
• Active hands-on coding and delivery in ML pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Lead ML initiatives from concept to production, including model development and deployment.
• Act as a technical authority, setting direction for AI platform.
• Define architecture and engineering best practices for scalable AI systems.
• Mentor senior engineers, data scientists and stakeholders through design reviews.
• Drive quality, reliability, scalability and operational excellence across the platform.
• Influence technical strategy through hands-on delivery.
• Remain involved in codebase through architecture, implementation and production support.

Skills

Machine Learning

Deep Learning

Production AI

Real-time data

Job description

Salary 120k per annum + competitive benefits

Country United Kingdom

We're looking for a Principal Machine Learning Engineer to join a highly technical team building advanced AI and machine learning solutions that process large-scale real-time data and power innovative digital products used by a broad user base.

We're looking for a Principal Machine Learning Engineer to join a highly technical team building advanced AI and machine learning solutions that process large-scale real-time data and power innovative digital products used by a broad user base.

This is an opportunity to play a key role in shaping the direction of a growing AI platform, working on complex technical challenges across machine learning, software engineering, and distributed systems.

Team Overview

You'll join a team focused on developing and deploying cutting-edge AI solutions within a large-scale production environment. The team works across the full lifecycle of machine learning systems, from research and experimentation through to deployment, optimisation and ongoing operation.

This is a Principal Individual Contributor role within a small, high-performing engineering team. While you'll provide technical leadership and influence strategic direction, the role remains highly hands-on. We're specifically seeking candidates with recent experience designing, building, deploying and operating production-grade machine learning systems, rather than those who have primarily transitioned into people management.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead complex machine learning initiatives from concept through to production, contributing directly to solution design, model development, software engineering and deployment.
• Act as a technical authority within a critical area of the AI platform, setting direction and making key technical decisions.
• Define architecture and engineering best practices for scalable, production-ready AI systems.
• Collaborate with and mentor senior engineers, data scientists and technical stakeholders through design reviews and technical leadership.
• Drive improvements in quality, reliability, scalability and operational excellence across the platform.
• Influence technical strategy through deep expertise and hands-on delivery.
• Remain actively involved in the codebase through architecture, implementation, code reviews, prototyping and production support activities.

Required Experience

• Extensive hands-on experience in Machine Learning, Deep Learning and production AI systems.
• Proven track record of designing, building and deploying machine learning solutions into live production environments.
• Experience operating at Lead, Staff or Principal Engineer level while remaining actively engaged in technical delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to take complex AI solutions from concept through to scalable, reliable production services.
• Strong understanding of model design, system architecture, engineering trade-offs, performance optimisation and low-latency systems.
• Recent hands-on experience writing production code, developing ML pipelines, deploying models and supporting live systems.
• Experience working with large-scale data platforms, real-time processing environments or complex distributed systems would be advantageous.

Ideal Profile

You'll thrive in this role if you:

• Enjoy solving complex technical challenges hands-on.
• Regularly write, review and improve production code.
• Balance strategic thinking with practical delivery.
• Prefer to lead through technical expertise and influence rather than line management.
• Enjoy shaping technical direction while remaining close to the technology.
• Are passionate about building robust, scalable and high-impact AI solutions.

This version is much safer from a confidentiality perspective as it reads like a role from any large-scale technology, media, streaming, data, fintech, telecoms or digital organisation, rather than pointing directly towards Sky.

Permanent

City / State London

Salary 120k per annum + competitive benefits

Country United Kingdom

Reference 100926MK

Boost Talent is committed to creating an inclusive recruitment experience and supporting equal opportunities throughout the recruitment process. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and will gladly discuss any reasonable adjustments you may need to help you feel supported throughout the process.

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