Technical Lead - AI/ML & Computer Vision

SR2; City Of London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

SR2 is seeking an experienced Technical Lead for AI/ML and computer vision within a UK defence technology programme. You will lead the engineering delivery, architect solutions, and guide deployment of cutting-edge AI into operational use.

You will mentor engineers, drive production-grade ML pipelines, and align with stakeholders to integrate AI into existing infrastructure. This hands-on leadership role requires DV-friendly SC clearance and strong Python/PyTorch expertise.

Qualifications

• Active SC clearance – client can sponsor DV.
• Proven experience delivering production‑grade AI/ML systems.
• Strong hands-on Python and PyTorch development.
• Expertise in CNNs, Vision Transformers and neural network architectures.
• Proven technical leadership or principal engineering experience.
• Strong understanding of MLOps, CI/CD, model deployment and scalable infrastructure.
• Excellent stakeholder management and technical communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership to a team of AI/ML and MLOps Engineers.
• Lead the design, optimisation and deployment of advanced computer vision and deep learning systems.
• Oversee scalable ML training, inference and deployment pipelines.
• Guide technical architecture, engineering standards and best practices.
• Work closely with stakeholders to integrate AI solutions into existing infrastructure.
• Mentor engineers, resolve technical challenges and ensure successful delivery.

Skills

SC clearance

Machine Learning

Deep Learning

Computer Vision

Python

PyTorch

CNNs

Vision Transformers

MLOps

CI/CD

Stakeholder communication

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

MLflow

Kubeflow

Job description

Technical Lead - AI/ML & Computer Vision Defence Technology

We are seeking an experienced AI/ML Technical Lead to lead the engineering delivery of an advanced computer vision and machine learning platform for a high-profile UK defence technology programme.

Working with a specialist AI organisation, you'll play a key role in taking established, cutting-edge AI technology into full-scale operational deployment.

This is a hands-on technical leadership position, combining advanced machine learning engineering, architecture and delivery oversight.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership to a team of AI/ML and MLOps Engineers.
• Lead the design, optimisation and deployment of advanced computer vision and deep learning systems.
• Oversee scalable ML training, inference and deployment pipelines.
• Guide technical architecture, engineering standards and best practices.
• Work closely with stakeholders to integrate AI solutions into existing infrastructure.
• Mentor engineers, resolve technical challenges and ensure successful delivery.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Active SC clearance - client can sponsor DV
• Extensive experience in Machine Learning, Deep Learning and Computer Vision.
• Strong hands-on Python and PyTorch development skills.
• Expertise in CNNs, Vision Transformers and neural network architectures.
• Proven experience delivering production-grade AI/ML systems.
• Previous technical leadership or principal engineering experience.
• Strong understanding of MLOps, CI/CD, model deployment and scalable infrastructure.
• Excellent stakeholder management and technical communication skills.

Desirable Experience

• GPU optimisation, distributed training and inference acceleration.
• Docker, Kubernetes, MLflow or Kubeflow.
• Object detection, segmentation and large-scale imagery processing.
• Edge AI and NVIDIA technologies.
• Defence, aerospace or national security projects.