Machine Learning Engineer (Forward Deployed)
Job Summary
Were looking for a Machine Learning Engineer (Forward Deployed) to join a supportive multidisciplinary team delivering real-world AI/ML systems into operational this role youll lead software deployments working closely with users and stakeholders to translate their problems into robust production-ready machine learning solutions. Youll rapidly explore prototype and deploy ML approaches both within and beyond our core product offerings taking ownership from initial concept through to live operation. Working at the forefront of applied AI alongside experts across multiple disciplines youll help users defend against Defence and National Security threats directly contributing to safer more resilient systems deployed where they matter most.
Mind Foundry works on some of the most complex and urgent challenges in Defence and National Security. We specialise in supporting customers across the community to make sense at the speed of relevance from the ever-increasing volumes of data collected by sensors and systems. We often find ourselves working at the edge in complex environments where power compute and bandwidth are in short supply. The work is challenging the customer needs products and applications they can trust and the sense of achievement is therefore substantial.
This is an opportunity to innovate at the forefront of applied machine learning tackle high-impact real-world problems grow your technical skills and shape the way AI/ML solutions are delivered to critical operational environments.
Because of the nature of this work:
- You will be required to travel to and work from client sites and partner locations. When not working onsite this role can be office-based or hybrid from our Summertown Oxford office.
- You will need toholdexistingorbe eligible for UK Developed Vetting (DV) details of which can be found on theGov UKwebsite.
Key day-to-day activities
- Moving models from research/prototype to live high-impact production environments adapting those solutions to client-specific data systems and interfaces.
- Resolving unforeseen edge-cases and challenges providing on-site fixes or relaying them back to the product team.
- Troubleshooting integration issues with existing systems.
- Working directly with product teams to maintain deep technical expertise in Mind Foundrys products capabilities and workflows.
- Engaging directly with defence customers to translate their needs and goals into technical requirements.
- Providing hands on support to end users.
- Extending and improving internal ML platforms tooling and best practices incorporating learnings from deployments back into shared frameworks.
Core Skills & Experience
- A Degree in Computer Science Applied Mathematics Statistics Physics or a related STEM field (or equivalent practical experience)
- Strong engineer with demonstrated proficiency in programming languages such as Python producing clean reproducible well-tested and well-documented code suitable for long-term ownership and handover.
- Hands-on experience with production infrastructure including Docker Linux CI/CD MLOps cloud platforms and model serving architectures.
- Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Exceptional problem-solving skills and
- Comfortable solving technical problems with limited internet access.
Nice to Have
- Prior experience working with government customers defence contractors or in military environments.
- Experience in areas of model development data processing and streaming (Spark Kafka) microservices in python (Flask or FastAPI) and interactive visualisations and User Interfaces (Streamlit Plotly Gradio etc).
- Broader software engineering experience (e.g. Java React PostgreSQL system architecture DevOps).
While we think the above experience is important were keen to hear from people that believe they have valuable skills ideas or perspectives that will make an impact in this role. If our team and mission resonate with you but you do not necessarily meet all of our requirements we still encourage you to apply.
What do we offer
We believe in investing in our people by encouraging career and personal development that aligns with your goals and ambitions. We make sure all staff have the tools time and support they need to shape their own professional development. We want to help you excel at what you do and support your growth within the company.
Youll enjoy a competitive compensation package and great benefits such as:
- Hybrid working
- Flexible hours
- Professional and personal development
- 25 days of annual leave (plus Bank Holidays and a company-wide break over Christmas)
- Salary Sacrifice Pension scheme with a 5% employer contribution (5% employee contribution)
- Private Healthcare (including dental and optical cover)
- Group Life Cover at three times your annual salary once you pass your probation period
- Enhanced Parental and Sickness Leave
- Workplace Nursery Scheme
- Dog-friendly office!
For more information please visit our website or email
Interview Process:
- Initialdiscussion with the People team
- TestDome coding exercise
- 1 hour interview with two members of the Science & Engineering Team
- 90 minute technical interview including a 10 minute presentation and live coding exercise
- In person meet the team at our Summertown office
Required Experience:
IC
Key Skills
About Company
Mind Foundry is an Oxford University company that combines innovation, research, and usability to empower teams with AI for high-stakes applications.