Principal ML Engineer | Sports AI & Computer Vision

Sky; Hounslow; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free Sky TV

Pension 9%

Private healthcare

Digital GP

Sky discounts

Sharesave

Tech schemes

Sky VIP rewards

Job summary

Sky is seeking a Principal ML Engineer to lead technical direction for our Sports AI platform, turning live video and sports data into scalable production systems.

You will shape architecture, guide senior engineers and data scientists, own critical components, ensure low-latency inference, and raise standards while remaining hands-on when needed. Hybrid work with Osterley base and Sky benefits.

Qualifications

• Deep expertise in Computer Vision, Deep Learning and production machine learning systems.
• Experience operating at Lead, Staff or Principal Engineer level, with a track record of technical ownership and influence.
• Proven ability to take complex AI systems from concept to scalable, reliable production services.
• Strong judgement across model design, system architecture, engineering trade-offs and low-latency inference.
• A hands-on approach to solving difficult technical problems and unblocking teams when it matters.

Responsibilities

• Act as the technical authority for a key area of our Sports AI platform, setting direction and making the big technical calls.
• Shape architecture and guide how we build production-ready AI systems for live video and sports data at scale.
• Lead complex AI work from idea through to production, staying hands-on when the technical challenge needs it.
• Guide and influence senior engineers and data scientists through technical leadership, mentoring and design reviews.
• Raise engineering standards across quality, reliability, scalability and production readiness.
• Build credibility through deep technical expertise rather than line management responsibility.

Skills

Computer Vision

Deep Learning

Production ML systems

Technical ownership

System architecture

Low-latency inference

Mentoring

Job description

Role/Team overview:

At Sky, we're building AI that turns live video and sports data into real-time insights, personalised experiences and entirely new ways for fans to engage with sport. We're looking for a Principal ML Engineer to help lead that journey.

What you'll do:

• Act as the technical authority for a key area of our Sports AI platform, setting direction and making the big technical calls.
• Shape architecture and guide how we build production-ready AI systems for live video and sports data at scale.
• Lead complex AI work from idea through to production, staying hands-on when the technical challenge needs it.
• Guide and influence senior engineers and data scientists through technical leadership, mentoring and design reviews.
• Raise engineering standards across quality, reliability, scalability and production readiness.
• Build credibility through deep technical expertise rather than line management responsibility.

What you'll bring:

Essential criteria:

• Deep expertise in Computer Vision, Deep Learning and production machine learning systems.
• Experience operating at Lead, Staff or Principal Engineer level, with a track record of technical ownership and influence.
• Proven ability to take complex AI systems from concept to scalable, reliable production services.
• Strong judgement across model design, system architecture, engineering trade-offs and low-latency inference.
• A hands-on approach to solving difficult technical problems and unblocking teams when it matters.

Desirable skills and experience:

• Experience with sports data, video analytics, real-time insight platforms or a passion for sport.

Benefits and perks

• Free Sky TV or NOW package, including Sky Sports and Sky Cinema
• Pension package with up to 9% employer contribution
• Private healthcarewith mental health support
• Aviva Digital GP and dental insurance
• Discounts on Sky products, including Sky Mobile, Sky Broadband, Sky Glass and Sky Protect
• Sharesave and Tech schemes
• A range of Sky VIP rewards and experiences

How you’ll work

We've adopted a hybrid working approach to give more flexibility on where and how we work. The hybrid working expectations for this role are 2 days in the office per week.

Your office base

Osterley

Our Sky Group HQ. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology and workspaces, there's plenty of space to see your big ideas come to life. Here you'll find 13 subsidised restaurants and cafes. You can re-energise at our gym, catch the latest films at our cinema, get your car washed and even get pampered at our beauty salon.

Our Osterley Campus is just a 10-minute walk from Syon Lane train station, or you can get one of our free shuttle buses from Osterley, Gunnersbury and Ealing Broadway stations.

Plus, there's free onsite parking available for cars, motorbikes and bicycles.

Who we are

We're Sky, a leading media and entertainment company who connect millions with entertainment, sports, news and arts through innovative products and services. Working with us means you'll be bringing the joy of a better experience to more people, every day. All so we can do better and deliver better for our customers, colleagues and society.

We're an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We're a Disability Confident Accredited Employer, and welcome and encourage applications from all candidates. We will look to ensure a fair and consistent experience for all and will make reasonable adjustments to support you where appropriate. Please flag any adjustments you need as early as you can.

Just so you know: if your application is successful, we'll ask you to complete a criminal record check. And depending on the role you have applied for and the nature of any convictions you may have, we might have to withdraw the offer.

To be eligible for this role you are required to have the appropriate right to work in the UK. Please be aware Sky does not offer sponsorship for this position.

To find out more about working with us, search #LifeAtSky on social media.