Principal Data Scientist and ML Researcher

Robert Half
Gloucester, United Kingdom
Today
Seniority
Lead
Posted
21 Sep 2026 (Today)

Robert Half has partnered with an established engineering firm to recruit for a newly created role of Principal Data Scientist and Machine Learning Researcher. This is a permanent role, based in Gloucester or Manchester, with competitive salary and benefits.

As you will be working within a highly secure technology environment, the successful candidate will need to be able to obtain eDV and SC clearance.

The Role

  • Supporting the Head of Data Science & Machine Learning to shape group strategy and engage stakeholders
  • Generating ideas for novel research that create competitive advantage across the customer community
  • Working autonomously to develop complex, novel data science solutions
  • Helping triage and respond to new opportunities, aligned to group and wider business strategy
  • Designing and delivering data-centric solutions in collaboration with colleagues across disciplines
  • Leading the technical delivery of research and applied AI/ML work on both customer and internal projects
  • Providing technical leadership across multiple projects
  • Managing and developing more junior members of the SRG team
  • Delivering AI, ML and data science solutions to a broad range of defence problems

About You

  • Several years' experience delivering novel ML solutions to customers and internal stakeholders
  • Proven experience as a Senior/Principal Data Scientist with ability to guide and coach the team
  • Excellent Python coding practice, including ML libraries such as HuggingFace, TensorFlow and PyTorch
  • Experience building robust ML pipelines with MLOps tools for model training, monitoring and deployment
  • Experience with version control and environment management (e.g. venvs, Docker)
  • Expert knowledge of AI/ML algorithms across different data types and tasks, including Generative AI, NLP and computer vision, sufficient to propose research beyond the existing literature
  • Hands-on experience training and developing AI models, including Large Language Models

This is a permanent opportunity with a competitive salary package, additional clearance-related allowance and the chance to work on technically challenging, security-focused programmes. Due to the nature of the work, suitability and eligibility requirements will apply.

If you have the relevant background and would be open to a confidential conversation, please get in touch.

Robert Half Ltd acts as an employment business for temporary positions and an employment agency for permanent positions. Robert Half is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Suitable candidates with equivalent qualifications and more or less experience can apply. Rates of pay and salary ranges are dependent upon your experience, qualifications and training. If you wish to apply, please read our Privacy Notice describing how we may process, disclose and store your personal data:

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