Research Engineer - AI

MTC - Manufacturing Technology Centre; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) is seeking an AI & Data Science Engineer with a strong Python foundation to contribute to model development, data processing, and intelligent system design across multidisciplinary engineering projects.

You will build ML models, data pipelines, and analytics tools to support decision making and system-level intelligence while collaborating with senior engineers on requirements and integration planning.

Qualifications

• Proficient Python with data science experience.
• Strong ML fundamentals and model development experience.
• Experience building data pipelines and analytics tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop ML models for prediction, classification, anomaly detection, and decision support.
• Build and maintain data pipelines for structured, unstructured, and sensor data.
• Implement Python modules for model training, evaluation, and deployment workflows.
• Create simple UI tools using Python frameworks for visualising data, model outputs and system status.
• Support data engineering tasks including feature extraction and data quality checks.
• Participate in model benchmarking, validation and documentation.
• Define data flows and integration points for system architecture.

Skills

Python

NumPy

Pandas

scikit-learn

ML fundamentals

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Streamlit

Azure ML

AWS SageMaker

GCP Vertex AI

Job description

We are seeking an

The Vacancy

We are seeking an AI & Data Science Engineer with a strong foundation in Python and a growing interest in machine learning, data processing, and intelligent system design. In addition to hands‑on model development and data work, you will contribute to early‑stage system definition, requirements analysis, and integration planning. You will help build AI models, data pipelines, analytics tools that support decision‑making and system‑level intelligence across multidisciplinary engineering projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop ML models for prediction, classification, anomaly detection, and decision support.
• Build and maintain data pipelines for structured, unstructured, and sensor‑derived datasets.
• Implement Python modules for model training, evaluation, and deployment workflows.
• Create simple UI tools using Python frameworks for visualising data, model outputs, and system status.
• Support data engineering tasks including feature extraction, dataset curation, and data quality checks.
• Participate in model optimisation, benchmarking, validation, and documentation.
• Work with senior engineers to elicit, clarify, and document AI‑related requirements.
• Research COTS AI tools, cloud services, and data‑processing technologies for potential integration.
• Contribute to system architecture by defining data flows, module interactions, and integration points.
• Support integration testing and system‑level debugging across data, software, and hardware boundaries.

Required Skills

• Python proficiency with experience in NumPy, Pandas, and scikit‑learn.
• Understanding of ML fundamentals and interest in model development and evaluation.
• Understanding of data pipelines, analytics workflows, and intelligent systems.
• Ability to interpret technical requirements and translate them into actionable tasks.
• Interest in system‑level thinking and multidisciplinary engineering.

Nice to Have

• Familiarity with deep learning using TensorFlow or PyTorch.
• Knowledge of data visualisation and dashboarding tools.
• Experience with system diagrams and interface documentation.
• Exposure to MLOps, CI/CD, or model deployment pipelines.
• Exposure to cloud ML platforms such as Azure ML, AWS Sagemaker, or GCP Vertex AI.
• Experience with Python UI frameworks (for example: Tkinter, PySide, PyQt, Streamlit).

Soft Skills

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving mindset.
• Ability to collaborate in cross‑functional engineering teams.
• Clear communication and documentation skills.
• Curiosity about how data, models, and system components interact.

About The MTC

The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) is an internationally renowned and respected research and development organisation, bridging the gap between academia and manufacturing, and is home to some of the brightest minds in engineering from around the globe.

The MTC's engineers, scientists and technicians work with some of the most advanced manufacturing equipment in the world in a supportive and collegiate environment for the development and demonstration of new technologies on an industrial scale, helping manufacturers of all sizes develop new and innovative processes and technologies.

Established to prove cutting edge manufacturing advances in an agile environment in partnership with industry, academia and other institutions, the MTC works with hundreds of industrial clients across a range of sectors including automotive, aerospace, rail, informatics, food and drink, infrastructure, construction and civil engineering, electronics, oil and gas and defence. The MTC helps businesses thrive by advancing their technological and engineering capabilities to improve their business efficiency, capability and competitiveness.

Supported by one of the largest public sector investments in UK Manufacturing, the MTC's engineering capabilities cover research and development, advanced manufacturing management, factory design and training for the skills of the future.

The MTC has world‑class facilities in Coventry, Liverpool and Oxford, and is part of the UK's High Value Manufacturing Catapult, supported by Innovate UK.

Reference Checks and Security Checks (where applicable)

Due to the nature of our business, all employment is subject to satisfactory references being obtained alongside a level of security clearance checks.