Lead AI Research Engineer - Defence Technology

Lead AI Research Engineer – Defence Technology | Machine Learning | Robotics | London

The Opportunity

As Lead AI Research Engineer, you’ll take ownership of designing and delivering cutting-edge AI and machine learning solutions that power real-world autonomous systems. You’ll lead a small, high-performing team of AI engineers while remaining hands-on, tackling some of the toughest technical challenges in computer vision, multi-modal sensing, control systems, deep learning, and real-time inference.

You’ll play a key role in shaping both the technical direction and the AI strategy — from research and model development to deployment on drones, ground robots, and edge devices.

Key Responsibilities

• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing AI and Machine Learning engineering team.
• Design, implement, and optimise AI/ML models for perception, decision-making, and control.
• Integrate AI algorithms into both enterprise-scale and edge-deployed systems.
• Work with customers to translate complex problems into AI-powered solutions.
• Lead on data strategy, from collection and simulation to training and validation.
• Ensure AI safety, ethics, explainability, and compliance with defence standards.
• Define best practices in MLOps, model evaluation, and continuous integration.

Essential Skills & Experience

• MSc (or PhD) in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Robotics, or related engineering field.
• 5+ years of experience in AI/ML research and production-level deployment.
• Proven ability to manage or mentor other engineers.
• Strong coding skills in Python, C++, Rust, or Java.
• Practical experience with deep learning, reinforcement learning, computer vision, or sensor fusion.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

Desirable Extras

• Publications in leading AI/ML or robotics conferences (e.g. NeurIPS, CVPR, ICLR, ICRA).
• Experience with MLOps pipelines, synthetic data, and model optimisation for edge devices.
• Understanding of sensor fusion, perception pipelines, and AI safety principles.

What’s on Offer

• Highly competitive base salary.
• Generous equity/share options in a fast-growing defence AI company.
• 7% employer pension contribution.
• Private medical and dental insurance.
• Free breakfast and lunch daily, plus weekly social events.
• Relocation support available.
• Work alongside world-class AI, robotics, and software engineers solving high-impact, mission-critical problems.

Eligibility

• Must have existing Right to Work in the UK.
• Willingness to undergo UK Security Clearance (SC) – typically requires 5 years of UK residency.

Why Apply

This is a rare opportunity to join a well-funded AI defence startup at the forefront of autonomous systems and military technology innovation. You’ll have the freedom, resources, and backing to shape products that truly matter — building technology that safeguards the future.

Apply now to help lead the AI revolution in defence and autonomy.