Principal AI & Algorithms Engineer (Defence & Security)

The Role  

We have an opportunity for a Principal Engineer in our AI & Algorithms department, working with a particular focus on our defence and security clients. You’ll join a team of talented engineers and scientists designing, building and testing intelligent systems that require cutting edge algorithms.

As one of the senior technical voices in the team, you’ll be architecting the algorithmic approach on our projects, setting the technical bar for others, and helping shape the work we deliver. As well as hands-on engineering, you’ll spend time with clients, using your expertise to win new projects as well as deliver them. You’ll work in multidisciplinary teams that use our labs and computing resources to enable us to deliver ambitious projects.

Much of our defence and security work requires security clearance, so we ask for it up front. You won’t work exclusively in that sector, but a genuine interest in it matters to us. 

We offer a flexible approach to hybrid working, although some of the projects you will be working on will require full-time working in the office.

What you’ll be doing  

• Applying data-driven software development in machine learning/AI, applied statistics, and sensor processing, alongside mathematical computing techniques such as digital signal processing, simulation, and numerical optimisation. 

• Acting as technical lead and architect on our larger, more complex projects, owning the technical solution and the value it delivers to the client. 

• Setting technical direction and acting as technical reviewer across the department, with your opinion sought by colleagues. 

• Leading the development of proposals and costed work programmes, turning client problems into work we can win and deliver. 

• Driving internal capability and demonstrators that keep us at the leading edge and open up new conversations with clients. 

• Mentoring engineers and conducting technical interviews to help us recruit and grow strong people. 


• Contributing to how the department works, improving our processes and technical standards. 

What you can bring

We are looking for an experienced engineer, with the breadth to lead the algorithmic component of multidisciplinary work and the ability to work with our commercial teams to help create and win new work.

• 5+ years’ experience designing and delivering cutting edge algorithms for intelligent systems, including working on defence or security projects. 

• Technical skills in one or more of: transformer models, diffusion models, reinforcement learning, machine vision and perception. 

• A strong undergraduate degree in a relevant technical subject, such as AI/machine learning, computer science, mathematics or, physics. A PhD in a relevant subject is welcome but not required; deep, demonstrable industrial expertise is what matters. 

• Strong Python and software engineering judgement.


• The ability to architect the technical approach on complex projects and to review the work of others, including working autonomously as the technical authority. 

• Experience mentoring and developing engineers. 

• Experience working with non-technical stakeholders for your work. 

• Interest in working directly with clients and contributing to proposals and sales conversations. 

• A genuine affinity for working in the defence and security sector.  

Because of where this role sits, holding (or being able to obtain) UK security clearance is essential. You must be eligible to obtain Security Check (SC) level security clearance (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/united-kingdom-security-vetting-applicant). You must be able to work in the UK without restrictions in accordance with UK National Law and be prepared to successfully undertake an appropriate level of UK National Security Vetting according to UK Government criteria. 

While not essential requirements, we would also be very interested if you have experience with any of the following: 

• Technical experience with any of: signal processing, edge computing, statistical modelling, numerical optimisation, or simulation. 

• A track record of building client relationships and leading the technical side of sales campaigns and proposals. 

• An established external profile: publications, conference talks or shareable project credentials 

• A PhD or published research in a data-driven field  

Why Cambridge Consultants? 

Cambridge Consultants creates exciting and novel breakthroughs in technology and products. Our work on intelligent systems area has helped create world-first and market-changing technologies including real-time AI-enhanced medical imaging, autonomous defence systems against cyberattacks, and edge algorithms to help visually impaired people navigate indoor spaces. We combine our research output with engineering rigour to create innovative and robust solutions to solve complex problems presented to us by our clients. We help clients across a diverse range of markets, including defence/security, healthcare, biotech, industrial and energy, so there is no shortage of variety. 

At the heart of what we do are talented and motivated multi-disciplinary teams empowered to create cutting edge technologies and systems to solve difficult problems for our clients. We offer a diverse, fun, and challenging work environment where you'll have the chance to work on a wide variety of projects that deliver real value using technology.  

We recognise and celebrate individual talent and we understand the importance of letting individuals be just that. Our people are here to do the best work of their lives and our job is to provide the platform for them to do it.