Staff Machine Learning Engineer Cambridge, England, United Kingdom

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:

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• 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:

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• Deep understanding of the modern Machine Learning stack, for example:
  
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  • Knowledge of 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 and 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.

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.

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Demographic Questions (Europe)

We want to make Speechmatics a place where everyone can do their best work, by bringing together diversity of thought and experience and creating an inclusive environment where our people can thrive. Therefore, we would like you to complete these optional questions. Answers are anonymous and not linked to you or your application in anyway. The information you decide to submit will not affect your application but will help us to understand how we are doing when attracting talent. We are an equal opportunity employer and value people of all identities and backgrounds at our company.

By checking this box, I consent to Speechmatics collecting, storing, and processing my responses to the demographic data surveys above.