Lead Machine Learning Engineer 12m FTC

Lead Machine Learning Engineer

UK - remote, 35 hour work week

Up to £95k + bonus

12m FTC (strong view to go permanent)

A professional services firm is looking for a Lead Machine Learning Engineer to join its growing data and AI team. This is a key role focused on building and leading ML engineering capability, delivering scalable AI solutions, and shaping the organisation’s data and AI strategy.

The role

• Lead the development of machine learning engineering capability across the business
• Design, build, and productionise ML models and data products
• Develop and implement MLOps frameworks (CI/CD, model deployment, monitoring, governance)
• Build scalable data and ML pipelines on Azure-based platforms
• Collaborate with data scientists, analysts, and stakeholders to deliver end-to-end AI solutions
• Contribute to data architecture, standards, and best practice across the organisation
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and guidance to engineers and wider teams

What they’re looking for

• Strong experience in ML engineering, MLOps, and data/AI architecture
• Proven track record delivering end-to-end ML solutions in cloud environments (Azure preferred)
• Expertise in Python, Spark/PySpark, and modern data platforms (e.g. Databricks)
• Hands-on experience with NLP and LLMs, including deployment and optimisation
• Experience building scalable pipelines, model governance processes, and production systems
• Ability to translate business requirements into robust technical solutions
• Strong stakeholder management and leadership experience

Why apply

• Opportunity to build and shape ML engineering within a growing data function
• High-impact role with ownership of architecture, tooling, and best practice
• Exposure to modern AI and LLM use cases
• Clear pathway to a permanent role

Please note: sponsorship is not available for this role.