{"id":2590027,"url":"https://alion.io/job/microsoft-bing-machine-learning-engineer-defence","title":"Machine Learning Engineer (Defence)","company":{"id":2037,"name":"Microsoft Bing","domain":"bing.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/microsoft-bing","size_band":"51-200","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":null},"role":"AI/ML","role_family":"AI/ML","seniority":null,"employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom"],"countries":["GB"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":true,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Machine Learning","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"PyTorch","optional":false},{"name":"Reinforcement Learning","optional":false},{"name":"TensorFlow","optional":false},{"name":"Time Series Forecasting","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-14T16:39:45Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-14","last_verified_at":"2026-10-15T13:23:16Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":0,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":0},"description":"Location: Newcastle upon Tyne\nSecurity clearance: must be eligible for UK SC-level security clearance (UK national)\nVisa sponsorship: we are not able to sponsor visas for this role\nClosing date: applications reviewed on a rolling basis\nAbout Neptune North\nNeptune North is a high-performing technical consultancy. We build data, AI and software solutions for clients in defence, financial services and private capital, working on demanding problems in challenging environments.\nWe were founded in 2024 as a joint venture between Oliver Wyman and Rokos Capital Management. We’re headquartered in the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne, with a growing international footprint, and we’re recruiting exceptional engineers across every level.\nThe role\nWe’re looking for Machine Learning Engineers to work on models themselves: training them, understanding them, and making them run where they need to run. This is a hands-on engineering role where you will have impact across a wide variety of projects.\nPotential projects might include fully engineered solutions, Proof of Concepts (POCs), and applied research to support future defence-relevant capabilities.\nResponsibilities\nDevelop, train and evaluate machine learning models, working at the algorithmic level rather than treating models as black-box components\nOptimise model performance and inference for the environments our clients operate in\nProvide technical expertise when it is required within the organisation and in client engagements\nDemonstrate flexibility in taking on work aligned to evolving company priorities\nPlay an active role in sharing expertise to raise and re-use capability\nWhat makes a great candidate\nYou don't need to meet every requirement to apply. If this role excites you, we'd like to hear from you.\nMachine Learning Engineer:\nA strong grounding in the maths and statistics behind machine learning\nHands on experience training, evaluating and tuning deep learning models using frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow\nA solid grasp of model evaluation, including choosing the right metrics, diagnosing overfitting, and designing sound validation strategies\nExperience taking models from experimentation into production, including deployment and retraining\nSkill in feature engineering and in handling messy, imbalanced, or limited training data\nDepth in at least one area of machine learning, such as: unstructured data (e.g. image, audio), time series forecasting, reinforcement learning, few shot\nExperience optimising models for constrained hardware: edge, embedded or very low power devices\nKnowledge of model explainability, AI safety, AI security or fairness\nGeneral:\nStrong programming skills, typically in Python, with the flexibility to pick up other modern languages\nA solid grounding in software engineering best practices and a commitment to maintain high engineering standards in all your work\nExcellent verbal and written communication, including the ability to explain technical limits to non-technical colleagues\nAbility to work effectively with ambiguity, while maintaining a disciplined, outcome-focused approach\nExperience working as part of a team, with enthusiasm for sharing knowledge and collaborating\nStrong academic foundations, typically a first-class from a leading university in Computer Science, Mathematics, AI, or a data related discipline\nExperience in defence or national security is a strong plus\nWhat you can achieve\nContribute to data science and machine learning solutions that strengthen UK defence and national security\nBuild a strong foundation in POC and production machine learning systems and engineering best practices that will shape your career\nGain broad experience across interesting machine learning challenges applied to challenging environments \nContribute to meaningful technical decisions as part of a collaborative, low-ego engineering team\nWhy join us\nWork on a wide variety of interesting problems alongside high-calibre colleagues. Our culture is collaborative and supportive. Neptune North is a place where people help each other grow and feel a real sense of belonging\n25 days’ holiday allowance plus bank holidays\nMatching pension contributions up to 6%\nPrivate health insurance through Bupa\nDiscretionary bonus\nTravel\nNeptune North works with clients across the UK’s defence sector. Many engagements involve regular travel and time on client site. This could mean two to three days per week over an entire assignment, or shorter periods of full-time on-site working anywhere in the UK, at sites including Cheltenham, Bristol, Glasgow, Portsmouth or other defence hubs. We support travelling staff with full expenses and hotel arrangements, and we discuss client placements with you in advance. We are looking for engineers who see this variety as part of the appeal of consultancy work rather than a downside.\nInterview process\nOur interview process is rigorous because the standard internally is high. For this role, it has three stages:\nWritten questions, which you complete at a time that suits you\nA first interview covering your CV, experience and career aspirations\nA technical interview with members of our engineering team\nEquity, diversity and inclusion\nAt Neptune North we are committed to a work environment that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion. We believe diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences help us attract, develop and retain the best talent. 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