Senior ML Research Engineer

microTECH Global LTD; Egham; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

A technology staffing agency is seeking a contract professional for an AI role in Egham. The position focuses on performance optimization, model deployment, and collaboration with a team of researchers and engineers. Candidates should have strong OS fundamentals, expert proficiency in Python and Rust, and a solid understanding of machine learning. This hybrid role offers flexibility with at least three days onsite each week. Experience in deep learning model optimization and ARM architectures is a plus.

Qualifications

• Strong OS fundamentals including memory management and multithreading.
• Expert proficiency in Python and Rust.
• Solid understanding of machine learning and deep learning fundamentals.

Responsibilities

• Profile and debug performance bottlenecks.
• Work on model conversion and runtime integration of AI models.
• Enhance open-source libraries with new features.

Skills

OS fundamentals

Expert proficiency in Python

Expert proficiency in Rust

Desirable knowledge in C

Desirable knowledge in C++

Strong analytical skills

Excellent communication skills

Collaboration skills

Job description

Contract Type

6 month contract outsourced via agency on an hourly rate

Location

Egham

Hybrid

3 days onsite (minimum) and 2 days working from home

Rate

Very much dependant on level of experience.

Key responsibilities include

• Performance Optimization : Profile and debug performance bottlenecks at the OS, runtime, and model levels.
• Model Deployment : Work across the stack—from model conversion, quantization, and optimization to runtime integration of AI models on-device.
• Toolchain Evaluation : Compare deployment toolchains and runtimes for latency, memory, and accuracy trade-offs.
• Open-Source Contribution : Enhance open-source libraries by adding new features and improving capabilities.
• Experimentation & Analysis : Conduct rigorous experiments and statistical analysis to evaluate algorithms and systems.
• Prototyping : Lead the development of software prototypes and experimental systems with high code quality.
• Collaboration : Work closely with a multidisciplinary team of researchers and engineers to integrate research findings into products.

We not require a PhD holder this time which is unusual for the AI Team.

We're looking for someone with

• Technical Expertise : Strong OS fundamentals (memory management, multithreading, user / kernel mode interaction) and expertise in ARM CPU architectures.
• Programming Skills : Expert proficiency in Python and Rust, with desirable knowledge in C and C++.
• AI Knowledge : Solid understanding of machine learning and deep learning fundamentals, including architectures and evaluation metrics.
• Problem-Solving : Strong analytical skills and the ability to design and conduct rigorous experiments.
• Team Player : Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a results-oriented attitude

Desirable Skills

• Experience with ARM 64-bit architecture and CPU hardware architectures.
• Knowledge of trusted execution environments (confidential computing).
• Hands-on experience with deep learning model optimization (quantization, pruning, distillation).
• Familiarity with lightweight inference runtimes (ExecuTorch, llama.cpp, Candle).