Senior Machine Learning Engineer

SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation
City of London
5 days ago
Create job alert

Machine Learning Engineer


Location: UK (hybrid/on-site as required)

Rate: £550 per day (Outside IR35)

Security Clearance: Must hold UK SC Clearance


Contract Machine Learning Engineer – Defence AI Programmes


We are supporting a specialist AI organisation delivering advanced machine learning capability into the defence sector. They require a Contract ML Engineer to support ongoing high-priority programmes.


This is an outside IR35 engagement at £550 per day, suited to an experienced contractor who can operate independently within secure environments.


The Role


You will work on the development and optimisation of advanced ML models, contributing to applied AI solutions across defence and national security projects.


Key responsibilities include:

  • Designing and implementing deep learning models
  • Developing computer vision and pattern recognition systems
  • Building and refining synthetic data pipelines
  • Supporting modelling and simulation environments
  • Deploying models within secure production systems


Required Experience


  • Demonstrable experience delivering ML solutions within the defence sector
  • Strong Python software engineering background
  • Deep Learning experience (TensorFlow, Keras or equivalent)
  • Experience with DNNs and advanced ML techniques
  • Computer Vision expertise
  • Comfortable working in secure, regulated environments


Engagement Details

  • £550 per day
  • Outside IR35
  • Long-term programme potential
  • High-impact defence projects


This role is ideal for a seasoned ML contractor who is comfortable navigating secure programmes and delivering robust, production-ready AI solutions.

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

How Many AI Tools Do You Need to Know to Get an AI Job?

If you are job hunting in AI right now it can feel like you are drowning in tools. Every week there is a new framework, a new “must-learn” platform or a new productivity app that everyone on LinkedIn seems to be using. The result is predictable: job seekers panic-learn a long list of tools without actually getting better at delivering outcomes. Here is the truth most hiring managers will quietly agree with. They do not hire you because you know 27 tools. They hire you because you can solve a problem, communicate trade-offs, ship something reliable and improve it with feedback. Tools matter, but only in service of outcomes. So how many AI tools do you actually need to know? For most AI job seekers: fewer than you think. You need a tight core toolkit plus a role-specific layer. Everything else is optional. This guide breaks it down clearly, gives you a simple framework to choose what to learn and shows you how to present your toolset on your CV, portfolio and interviews.

What Hiring Managers Look for First in AI Job Applications (UK Guide)

Hiring managers do not start by reading your CV line-by-line. They scan for signals. In AI roles especially, they are looking for proof that you can ship, learn fast, communicate clearly & work safely with data and systems. The best applications make those signals obvious in the first 10–20 seconds. This guide breaks down what hiring managers typically look for first in AI applications in the UK market, how to present it on your CV, LinkedIn & portfolio, and the most common reasons strong candidates get overlooked. Use it as a checklist to tighten your application before you click apply.

The Skills Gap in AI Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept. It is already reshaping how businesses operate, how decisions are made, and how entire industries compete. From finance and healthcare to retail, manufacturing, defence, and climate science, AI is embedded in critical systems across the UK economy. Yet despite unprecedented demand for AI talent, employers continue to report severe recruitment challenges. Vacancies remain open for months. Salaries rise year on year. Candidates with impressive academic credentials often fail technical interviews. At the heart of this disconnect lies a growing and uncomfortable truth: Universities are not fully preparing graduates for real-world AI jobs. This article explores the AI skills gap in depth—what is missing from many university programmes, why the gap persists, what employers actually want, and how jobseekers can bridge the divide to build a successful career in artificial intelligence.