Senior AI/ML Engineer

Copello; Southampton; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Copello is seeking a Senior AI/ML Engineer to join a defence and security-focused engineering team in Southampton, operating in a hybrid model with two days on site per week.

The role combines hands-on development with technical leadership across AI/ML, computer vision, NLP and RL, with responsibilities spanning R&D delivery, customer collaboration, and bid support.

Qualifications

• Strong AI/ML R&D experience.
• Strong Python development skills.
• Experience with modern AI/ML techniques and frameworks.
• Experience applying research to practical engineering problems.
• Agile software engineering experience.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI/ML R&D projects from concept through to delivery.
• Apply emerging research to real-world engineering challenges.
• Develop innovative AI/ML solutions using Python.
• Provide technical leadership and mentor junior engineers.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams and customers.
• Contribute to technical strategy, solution design and bids.

Skills

AI/ML R&D

Python development

Modern AI/ML frameworks

Research to practical engineering

Agile software engineering

Communication & problem-solving

Job description

Senior AI/ML Engineer

Location: Southampton / Hybrid, 2 days a week.

Salary: Up to £65,000 + benefits

Security: To be eligible, you must be able to obtain or hold UK Security Clearance.

We’re looking for an experienced Senior AI/ML Engineer to join a highly skilled engineering and research environment, delivering innovative solutions across defence, national security, intelligence and commercial sectors.

The role combines hands‑on development with technical leadership, working on complex challenges across AI/ML, Computer Vision, NLP, Reinforcement Learning and LLMs.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead AI/ML R&D projects from concept through to delivery
• Apply emerging research to real-world engineering challenges
• Develop innovative AI/ML solutions using Python
• Provide technical leadership and mentor junior engineers
• Work with multidisciplinary teams and customers
• Contribute to technical strategy, solution design and bids

Key Requirements

• Strong AI/ML R&D experience
• Strong Python development skills
• Experience with modern AI/ML techniques and frameworks
• Experience applying research to practical engineering problems
• Agile software engineering experience
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills