Research Scientist: Image Analysis Team

BAE Systems; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A technology and defense company is seeking a Research Scientist to advance AI/ML research within a hybrid working environment. Candidates should possess a PhD or equivalent experience with a strong background in machine learning and statistical signal processing, along with programming skills in Python. This role involves supporting technical projects, developing prototypes, and collaborating with academic partners on innovative research topics across various sectors.

Benefits

Referral Bonus of £5,000

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent industry experience in a relevant discipline.
• Experience in the application of AI/ML and/or statistical signal processing to sequential data.
• Experience in software development for proof of concept in Python.

Responsibilities

• Support technical delivery of projects and prepare technical reports.
• Support novel research in topic areas in partnership with suppliers and UK Universities.
• Develop prototypes and proof of concept demonstrators.
• Take ownership of tasks in projects and deliver to challenging standards.
• Work effectively on self-directed projects and as part of a team.
• Effectively present results to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Patent and/or publish novel concepts and research findings.

Skills

Machine Learning

Statistical Signal Processing

Python Programming

TensorFlow

Pytorch

scikit-learn

Education

PhD or equivalent industry experience

Job description

Location(s): UK, Europe & Africa – UK : Great Baddow

BAE Systems Digital Intelligence is home to 4,500 digital, cyber and intelligence experts. We work collaboratively across 10 countries to collect, connect and understand complex data, so that governments, nation states, armed forces and commercial businesses can unlock digital advantage in the most demanding environments.

Job Title:

Research Scientist

Requisition ID:

122564

Location:

Great Baddow Hybrid working

Grade:

GG09 - GG10

Referral Bonus:

£5,000

About the role

BAE Systems Digital Intelligence Innovation and Technology is seeking to recruit a researcher to join our rapidly expanding Data and Decision Support Capability.

You should have a background in Machine Learning (ML) and/or statistical signal processing combined with programming skills in Python and experience in the use of libraries and toolboxes to support efficient development.

The right candidate will join our Advanced Information Processing (AIP) group, specialising in developing novel inference algorithms and the application of AI/ML to sequential (time‑series) data and decision making.

The candidate will have the opportunity to deliver a wide range of AI/ML research topics for customers across the space, defence, security and commercial sectors as well as into our internal BAE Systems programmes. You will also have the opportunity to maintain strong links with Academic partners and to grow technical research areas of interest to you.

The Data and Decision Support Capability has a diverse range of teams/groups working across various AI/ML areas such as AI/ML for RF, EW, radar, sonar, distributed sensing‑processing, data fusion, reinforcement learning, agent‑based ML, autonomy, ML for signal processing, edge ML, image analysis and computer vision, generative AI, deep fake, LLMs, knowledge graphs, NLP, graph ML and others. You will have the opportunity to work with these colleagues in multi‑disciplinary teams.

Typical Responsibilities:

• Support technical delivery of projects. Prepare and deliver technical reports, technical proposals and supporting material
• Support novel research in given topic areas; this can be in partnership with other (internal or external) suppliers and/or leading UK Universities
• Develop prototypes and proof of concept demonstrators
• Take ownership of tasks in projects and deliver to challenging standards
• Work effectively both on self‑directed projects and as part of a project team
• Effectively present results to both technical and non‑technical audiences
• Patent and/or publish (e.g. in academic conference and journal articles) novel concepts and research findings, where appropriate.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• PhD or equivalent industry experience in a relevant discipline
• Experience in the application of AI/ML and/or statistical signal processing to sequential (e.g. sensor time‑series) data and decision‑making post PhD.
• Experience in software development for proof of concept in Python.
• Experience with machine and deep learning frameworks: TensorFlow, Pytorch, scikit‑learn, etc.

Domains of particular interest:

• RF communications and CEMA
• Electronic or Electromagnetic Warfare (EW)
• Tracking and sensor data fusion
• Radar signal processing
• Acoustic data processing (including sonar)
• Distributed sensing and processing
• Autonomy
• Human machine teaming
• Space‑domain Awareness (SDA)
• Positioning, navigation, and timing
• Pattern of life analytics

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must at a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Life at BAE Systems Digital Intelligence

We are embracing Hybrid Working. This means you and your colleagues may be working in different locations, such as from home, another BAE Systems office or client site, some or all of the time, and work might be going on at different times of the day.

By embracing technology, we can interact, collaborate and create together, even when we’re working remotely from one another. Hybrid Working allows for increased flexibility in when and where we work, helping us to balance our work and personal life more effectively, and enhance well‑being.

Diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of BAE Systems Digital Intelligence. We are proud to have an organisational culture where employees with varying perspectives, skills, life experiences and backgrounds - the best and brightest minds - can work together to achieve excellence and realise individual and organisational potential.

Division overview: Government

At BAE Systems Digital Intelligence, we pride ourselves in being a leader in the cyber defence industry, and Government contracts are an area we have many decades of experience in. Government and key infrastructure networks are critical targets to defend as the effects of these networks being breached can be devastating.

As a member of the Government business unit, you will defend the connected world and ensure the protection of nations. We all have a role to play in defending our clients, and this is yours.

Application process

When applying for this role you will be redirected to BAE systems careers site where you will be required to:

• Register an account (this is optional, you can apply as a guest)
• Provide contact information
• Upload your CV
• Complete a short diversity & inclusion questionnaire

When asked source type, please select “job board advertisement” then “the IET / E+T Jobs”.