Senior Machine Learning Research Engineer

Cambridge University Press & Assessment; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 62,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Cambridge University Press & Assessment is seeking a Senior Machine Learning Research Engineer to enhance AI-driven learning solutions. This role involves leading the development of scalable AI applications while mentoring junior engineers in a collaborative and innovative environment, offering flexibility with hybrid work arrangements.

Benefits

28 days annual leave with bank holidays

Private medical insurance

Discretionary annual bonus

Group personal pension scheme

Life assurance up to 4x annual salary

Green travel schemes

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in machine learning solution deployment.
• Proven track record in AI-driven product development.
• Ability to supervise and mentor junior engineers.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of AI solutions for Cambridge English products.
• Collaborate with teams to deliver impactful product features.
• Manage technical standards and mentor junior colleagues.

Skills

Machine Learning

AI

Python

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Communication

Agile Methodology

Education

Master's degree or equivalent in machine learning or AI/computer science

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

Job description

Senior Machine Learning Research Engineer

Salary: £62,860 - £84,070

Location: Cambridge - Triangle/Hybrid (2 days per week in the office)

Contracts:

• 1x Permanent, Full Time (35 hours per week)
• 1x Fixed Term (18 months), Full Time (35 hours per week)

Shape the future of AI-powered learning solutions with Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a world-leading academic publisher and assessment organisation, and a proud part of the University of Cambridge.

This is an exciting opportunity for Machine Learning Research Engineers to join our innovative Applied AI team. You'll contribute to developing, deploying, and maintaining cutting-edge AI capabilities that drive the success of Cambridge English's products and services.

About the Role

As a Senior Machine Learning Research Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in driving innovation and advancing AI-powered solutions that enhance Cambridge English products. Your expertise will contribute to the continuous improvement of existing models and the development of cutting-edge technologies that address future business needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Technical lead in designing full-cycle AI solutions, including data collection and pipelines for reusable analysis, and monitoring and maintenance regimes for continuous development.
• Research, develop, deploy, and maintain scalable AI-powered solutions for Cambridge English products.
• Estimate time, cost and outcomes of technical solutions, and manage risks to ensure prompt delivery.
• Collaborate with product, validation, and business teams to transform capabilities into impactful product features, while setting appropriate expectations.
• Plan work and resources, including adoption of new tools, to ensure that the machine learning team stay at the forefront of AI and machine learning trends and position Cambridge as a leader in AI-driven solutions.
• Plan, prioritize and review work of the team to meet business objectives.
• Lead on technical standards for the team, and mentor junior team members.

We are also looking for 2 Junior Machine Learning Research Engineers (permanent) and 1 Machine Learning Research Engineer (permanent). Please visit the linked job postings to apply for these roles.

About You

To thrive in this role, you'll have a passion for AI-driven innovation and the ability to turn ideas into scalable solutions.

Essential Qualifications & Skills:

• Master's degree (or equivalent qualification and experience) in machine learning or AI/computer science with substantial machine learning component.
• Proven hands-on industry experience (minimum 5 years, not including internships) in designing, developing, and deploying machine learning solutions in production environments.
• Strong track record of successfully translating academic research into real-world applications and products.
• Ability to estimate suitability of candidate ML, NLP, LLM, and GenAI technologies for specific scenarios, estimate the time, cost and outcomes of different solutions, and apply effective risk management to ensure prompt delivery.
• Deep experience in Python and PyTorch/TensorFlow.
• Industry experience in building scalable, production-grade AI services and automated data pipelines with tools like Docker, Kubernetes, and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS).
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively in Agile/Scrum teams and contribute to cross-functional projects.
• Exceptional communication skills for articulating complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, translating business requirements into technical solutions.
• Proactiveness in communicating issues and suggesting solutions.
• Stay current with state-of-the-art research and applying emerging AI techniques to solve business problems.
• Ability to supervise sub-teams, lead projects, mentor junior colleagues and lead on technical standards maintenance.

Desirable:

• PhD degree or equivalent qualifications and experience in computer science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or a closely related field.
• Experience in applying Natural Language Processing and/or Speech Technology techniques to solve real-world problems.
• Experience in applying machine learning to educational assessment and learning solutions.
• Experience in leading research initiatives, contributing to patents, or publishing papers in machine learning or related AI fields.

Rewards and benefits

We will support you to be at your best in work and to live well outside of it. In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a world-class, flexible rewards package, featuring family-friendly and planet-friendly benefits including:

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Private medical and Permanent Health Insurance
• Discretionary annual bonus
• Group personal pension scheme
• Life assurance up to 4 x annual salary
• Green travel schemes

We are a hybrid working organisation, and we offer a range of flexible working options from day one. We expect most hybrid-working colleagues to spend 40-60% of their time at their dedicated office or location. We will also consider other work arrangements if you wish to work more flexibly or require adjustments due to a disability.

Application Process

Ready to pursue your potential? Apply now.

To maintain a fair recruitment process, applications will only be accepted via our online careers page. Applications emailed directly to the recruiter may not be received by the hiring team.

We review applications on an ongoing basis, with a closing date for all applications being 28th September, although we may close it earlier if suitable candidates are identified. Interviews are scheduled to take place as deemed appropriate before or after the closing date.

Please note that successful applicants will be subject to satisfactory background checks including DBS due to working in a regulated industry.

Cambridge University Press & Assessment is an approved UK employer for the sponsorship of eligible roles and applicants under the Skilled Worker visa route. Please refer to the gov.uk website for guidance to understand your own eligibility based on the role you are applying for.

Why join us

Joining us is your opportunity to pursue potential. You'll belong to a collaborative team that's exploring new and better ways to serve students, teachers and researchers across the globe - for the benefit of individuals, society and the world. Sharing our mission will inspire your own growth, development and progress, in an environment which embraces difference, change and aspiration.

Cambridge University Press & Assessment is committed to being a place where anyone can enjoy a successful career, where it's safe to speak up, and where we learn continuously to improve together. We welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of demographic characteristics (age, disability, educational attainment, ethnicity, gender, marital status, neurodiversity, religion, sex, gender identity and sexual identity), cultural, or social class/background.

We believe better outcomes come through diversity of thought, background and approach. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and communities, actively seeking to employ people from a wide range of different communities.