Senior Machine Learning Engineer - National Security (TIRE)

The Alan Turing Institute; Warmley; On-site; GBP 57,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The Alan Turing Institute is seeking an experienced ML Engineer to join the TIRE team in Cheltenham. You will develop production-ready AI and ML solutions, lead projects, and mentor colleagues while engaging with national security stakeholders.

Eligibility for Developed Vetting (DV) clearance is essential, with preferred current or recent DV clearance. This is a fixed-term role offering a competitive salary and flexible benefits.

Qualifications

• Production-ready ML experience.
• Cloud deployment experience.
• DV clearance eligibility required.
• Mentoring and leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical projects within the team.
• Develop partner-focused ML capabilities.
• Mentor colleagues and share knowledge.
• Translate research into deployable systems.
• Collaborate with national security stakeholders.

Skills

ML engineering

Machine learning

Cloud technologies

Software engineering

Leadership

Stakeholder comms

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Math/Engineering

Tools

Python

TensorFlow/PyTorch

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS/Azure/GCP

Job description

HOURS: 36

THE ROLE

This position is working within the Turing Integrated Research Engineering (TIRE) team to support the Turing's national security partners by developing and deploying advanced machine learning, AI and data-driven capabilities. You'll work across a highly collaborative, cross-disciplinary team, delivering innovative technical solutions that bridge cutting-edge research and real-world impact. The role involves leading technical projects, developing new partner-focused capabilities, authoring research proposals and helping to shape the future direction of TIRE's work with national security stakeholders. You'll also play a key role in sharing technical knowledge, representing the team internally and externally, and supporting the development of colleagues through mentoring and leadership opportunities.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

• Understand the problems of the Turing’s National Security partners and develop appropriate approaches to solving these problems.
• Take ownership of a particular domain challenge area or methodology for the group.
• Perform experiments and develop capabilities, which might include: training and deploying machine learning models; applying data science, statistical and algorithmic techniques to data; building and deploying microservices, data processing/engineering systems and platforms, user interfaces and/or visualisations.
• Work at pace, using industry standard tooling for testing, version control and collaboration to create software artefacts that can be shared with Turing’s partners.
• Present, disseminate and explain our work including: Documenting capabilities, processes, and systems for effective and efficient reuse across multiple domains
• Provide technical leadership for research strands, ensuring successful outcomes aligned with the overall project goals.
• Line-manage other staff within the group, supporting their career development aspirations.

ABOUT YOU

We're looking for an experienced ML Engineer with a strong background in developing production-ready AI and machine learning solutions. You'll bring expertise in modern programming languages, software engineering, cloud technologies and scalable deployment approaches, alongside experience applying advanced analytical and ML techniques to real-world challenges. You'll enjoy solving complex problems and be comfortable engaging with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. This is a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of national security, developing innovative AI capabilities that help address some of the UK's most complex challenges. Eligibility for DV security clearance is essential, with current or recent DV clearance highly desirable.

Terms and Conditions

This post is offered on a fixed term basis, at an annual salary of £57,000-£62,000 plus excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies, Employee-only benefits guide | The Alan Turing Institute

This role will be based at the Hub8 MX working space in Cheltenham.

Eligibility for Developed Vetting (DV) clearance is a requirement for this role. Eligibility criteria and further information on the process can be found on the UK Government security vetting website. Applicants should check if they are eligible for DV clearance before applying to this role.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion

We value diversity of background, experience, and perspective, and are proud to be an inclusive employer. We warmly encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from groups currently under-represented in our sector. If you feel passionate about this role but don’t meet every single requirement, please apply – we recognise that great candidates may bring strengths beyond the criteria listed.