Staff Machine Learning Engineer

Speechmatics
Cambridge
1 month ago
Create job alert

Join to apply for the Staff Machine Learning Engineer role at Speechmatics.


Posted 1 week ago. Be among the first 25 applicants.


We are hiring a Staff Machine Learning Engineer to work on translating cutting‑edge research into ambitious, customer‑centric speech solutions. As innovators in speech technology, our mission is to Understand Every Voice — a vision that has propelled us to be world leaders of Speech AI. Fuelled by innovation, inclusivity, and a passion for making a global impact through world‑leading Speech AI, we’re looking for an experienced ML Team Lead to accelerate our efforts towards exceptional speech solutions.


Our Modelling Team builds and trains a broad spectrum of models, including large self‑supervised architectures, advancing Speechmatics’ mission to provide the most accurate speech recognition technology worldwide. It also ensures their deployment into production, working with the latest developments in ML, but also with the best practices for software engineering and model serving.


In this role, you will develop and deploy advanced speech systems that power our products, and collaborate with cross‑functional teams to deliver scalable, high‑performance solutions that deliver business impact.


What You’ll Be Doing

  • Develop and deploy ML models, translating research into scalable, user‑centred solutions
  • Optimise ML models for speed, accuracy, and cost efficiency
  • Evaluate and integrate cutting‑edge approaches into our ML stack
  • Collaborate cross‑functionally to align initiatives with business goals
  • Mentor junior engineers and foster a culture of technical excellence
  • Contribute to technical strategy and roadmap to achieve ambitious strategic goals

Who We Are Looking For

  • Deep understanding of the modern Machine Learning stack, including contemporary transformer architectures, related concepts (e.g., GQA, KV‑caching) and best practices
  • Expertise in distributed training techniques
  • Familiarity with optimisation strategies for model inference (e.g., dynamic batching, flash attention, speculative decoding)
  • Proven track record of developing deploying models at scale
  • Proficiency in Python, ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch), and experience with cloud platforms
  • Strong familiarity with software engineering practices and ML testing frameworks
  • User‑centricity, with understanding how ML solutions address customer needs

We encourage you to apply even if you do not feel you match all of the requirements exactly. The list of requirements is intended to show the kinds of experience and qualities we’re looking for, but it is not exhaustive. If you are interested in the role, the team, and our mission, we would love to consider your application. We are always open to conversations and look forward to hearing from you.


Who We Are

Speechmatics is the leading expert in Speech Intelligence, and uses AI and Machine Learning to unlock business value in human speech worldwide. We work with an amazing mix of global companies, and our technology can integrate into our customers’ stack irrespective of their industry or use case – making it the go‑to solution to harness useful information from speech.


Joining us means working with some of the smartest minds around the world, focused on cutting‑edge projects and deploying the latest techniques to disrupt the market. We believe in putting people first; we’ll do all we can to help you develop your skills and give you the tools you need to thrive. Our Focus Fridays give you an undisturbed day of focus, offset with Together Tuesdays when we have our team meetings, so you’ve always got the right balance.


We have structured a hybrid approach that includes 2‑3 designated office days each week. This arrangement ensures that while we embrace the advantages of remote work, we also maintain the vital connection and synergy that only in‑person interactions can foster.


This is only the beginning; we’re looking for amazing people like you to continue our journey…


What We Can Offer You

No matter what stage of your career you’re at – from paid internships and first‑job opportunities through to management and senior positions – we’ll support you with the training and development needed to reach your career aspirations with us. There really is no shortage of opportunities here for you to get involved and collaborate with those around you to deliver your best work.


We offer incredibly flexible working, regular company lunches, and birthday celebrations. But that’s not all. We’ve spoken to our teams to find out what they want. From Private Medical, and Dental for you and your family, through to global working opportunities, a generous holiday allowance and pension/401K matching, we want to make sure our employees and their families are looked after. Every employee will receive a working from home allowance for tech or home office equipment (on top of your choice of laptop and accessories of course). Our approach to parental leave is designed to support employees globally. While this varies by geo, we have support in place for parents (including adoption assistance and reproductive health services) to ensure they have the time and financial resources needed to care for their growing families.


At Speechmatics, our mission is simple: Understand Every Voice out there.

That's not just about our tech – it's the heart and soul of who we are. We welcome different experiences, viewpoints, and identities. For us, it’s not just the right thing to do; it’s our catalyst for sparking innovation and creativity. Our teams thrive in an environment that celebrates and supports everyone – no matter their gender, identity or expression, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, belief, marital status, national origin, veteran status, pregnancy, or maternity status.


But we don’t just open the door to diversity – we actively welcome it. Why? Because we believe every unique voice adds something special to our team, leading us to smarter solutions and a better workplace.


So, come as you are and join our Speechling community. We’re building a place where every voice not only gets heard but is also respected and valued.


We rely on legitimate interest as a legal basis for processing personal information under the GDPR for purposes of recruitment and applications for employment.


Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Speechmatics by 2x.


Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level


Employment type

Full‑time


Job function

  • Engineering and Information Technology
  • Software Development (Industry)


#J-18808-Ljbffr

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Staff Machine Learning Engineer

Staff Machine Learning Engineer

Staff Machine Learning Engineer

Staff Machine Learning Engineer

Staff Machine Learning Engineer

Staff Machine Learning Engineer

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Machine Learning Job Applications (UK Guide)

Whether you’re applying for machine learning engineer, applied scientist, research scientist, ML Ops or data scientist roles, hiring managers scan applications quickly — often making decisions before they’ve read beyond the top third of your CV. In the competitive UK market, it’s not enough to list skills. You must send clear signals of relevance, delivery, impact, reasoning and readiness for production — and do it within the first few lines of your CV or portfolio. This guide walks you through exactly what hiring managers look for first in machine learning applications, how they evaluate CVs and portfolios, and what you can do to improve your chances of getting shortlisted at every stage — from your CV and LinkedIn profile to your cover letter and project portfolio.

MLOps Jobs in the UK: The Complete Career Guide for Machine Learning Professionals

Machine learning has moved from experimentation to production at scale. As a result, MLOps jobs have become some of the most in-demand and best-paid roles in the UK tech market. For job seekers with experience in machine learning, data science, software engineering or cloud infrastructure, MLOps represents a powerful career pivot or progression. This guide is designed to help you understand what MLOps roles involve, which skills employers are hiring for, how to transition into MLOps, salary expectations in the UK, and how to land your next role using specialist platforms like MachineLearningJobs.co.uk.

The Skills Gap in Machine Learning Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

Machine learning has moved from academic research into the core of modern business. From recommendation engines and fraud detection to medical imaging, autonomous systems and language models, machine learning now underpins many of the UK’s most critical technologies. Universities have responded quickly. Machine learning modules are now standard in computer science degrees, specialist MSc programmes have proliferated, and online courses promise to fast-track careers in the field. And yet, despite this growth in education, UK employers consistently report the same problem: Many candidates with machine learning qualifications are not job-ready. Roles remain open for months. Interview processes filter out large numbers of applicants. Graduates with strong theoretical knowledge struggle when faced with practical tasks. The issue is not intelligence or effort. It is a persistent skills gap between university-level machine learning education and real-world machine learning jobs. This article explores that gap in depth: what universities teach well, what they routinely miss, why the gap exists, what employers actually want, and how jobseekers can bridge the divide to build successful careers in machine learning.