{"id":141864,"url":"https://alion.io/job/cambridge-consultants-principal-ai-algorithms-engineer-defence-security","title":"Principal AI & Algorithms Engineer (Defence & Security)","company":{"id":51557,"name":"Cambridge Consultants","domain":"cambridgeconsultants.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/cambridge-consultants","size_band":null,"is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":85,"open_postings":41,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.39,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":78,"computed_at":"2026-10-29T05:49:05Z"}},"role":"AI/ML","role_family":"AI/ML","seniority":"lead","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["United Kingdom"],"countries":["GB"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":103000,"max_usd":198000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":28},"experience_years_min":5,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Diffusion Models","optional":false},{"name":"Machine Learning","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"Reinforcement Learning","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-06-24T10:20:21Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-01","last_verified_at":"2026-10-29T15:59:11Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":127,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":0,"flags":[],"days_open":126},"description":"The Role \nWe 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.\nAs 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.\nMuch 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. \nWe 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.\nWhat you’ll be doing \nApplying 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. \nActing as technical lead and architect on our larger, more complex projects, owning the technical solution and the value it delivers to the client. \nSetting technical direction and acting as technical reviewer across the department, with your opinion sought by colleagues. \nLeading the development of proposals and costed work programmes, turning client problems into work we can win and deliver. \nDriving internal capability and demonstrators that keep us at the leading edge and open up new conversations with clients. \nMentoring engineers and conducting technical interviews to help us recruit and grow strong people. \nContributing to how the department works, improving our processes and technical standards. \nWhat you can bring\n5+ years’ experience designing and delivering cutting edge algorithms for intelligent systems, including working on defence or security projects. \nTechnical skills in one or more of: transformer models, diffusion models, reinforcement learning, machine vision and perception. \nA 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. \nStrong Python and software engineering judgement.\nThe ability to architect the technical approach on complex projects and to review the work of others, including working autonomously as the technical authority. \nExperience mentoring and developing engineers. \nExperience working with non-technical stakeholders for your work. \nInterest in working directly with clients and contributing to proposals and sales conversations. \nA genuine affinity for working in the defence and security sector. \nWhile not essential requirements, we would also be very interested if you have experience with any of the following: \nTechnical experience with any of: signal processing, edge computing, statistical modelling, numerical optimisation, or simulation. \nA track record of building client relationships and leading the technical side of sales campaigns and proposals. \nSome projects at Cambridge Consultants are subject to security restrictions. This role requires you to obtain a Security Check (SC) level security clearance ( 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 National Security Vetting criteria.\nPlease be aware that, for roles requiring Security Check clearance, applicants will typically need to have been a continuous resident in the UK for a minimum of 5 years immediately prior to applying for this role in order to meet the requirements for Security Check (SC) clearance.\nWhy Cambridge Consultants? \nCambridge 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. \nAt 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. \nWe 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.\nBy submitting an application to Cambridge Consultants, you confirm that the information provided in this application, together with any supporting documentation, is true, complete, and accurate to the best of your knowledge and belief. You understand that any false statement, misleading information, or material omission may render you liable to disqualification from the recruitment process, withdrawal of any offer of employment, or dismissal without notice if discovered following appointment. 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