ML / MLOps Research Engineer – National Security
Locations: Manchester, London, or Cheltenham (Hybrid)
Security Clearance: Minimum SC required
About the Role
Gravitas is proud to be partnering with a fast-growing, specialist technology consultancy that is at the forefront of MLOps and machine learning innovation.
Our client works across the full ML lifecycle combining cutting‑edge research with production-ready engineering to deliver secure, scalable solutions. With strong growth in recent years, they are expanding their team to support high‑impact national security programmes.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a company shaping the future of ML systems in critical environments.
The Opportunity
We’re looking for an ML / MLOps Research Engineer to work across research, prototyping, and production ML systems for national security customers.
This is a hands‑on, end‑to‑end role where you’ll take ideas from research literature and turn them into robust, real‑world solutions, working closely with both internal teams and external stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
* Work closely with clients to understand requirements and deliver impactful ML solutions
* Design, build, and deploy production‑grade ML systems with strong engineering standards
* Translate cutting‑edge ML research into repeatable, scalable implementations
* Contribute to agile ceremonies including sprint planning, retrospectives, and code reviews
* Deliver demos, workshops, and training sessions to stakeholders
* Maintain high standards of documentation, testing, and code quality
* Stay up to date with emerging technologies and share knowledge with the wider team
You will also have dedicated time to R&D and thought leadership, contributing to blogs, videos, and open‑source initiatives, helping shape your presence in the wider MLOps community.
What We’re Looking For
* Active SC clearance (minimum) with experience in secure/high‑side government environments
* Degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
* Proven experience in ML research engineering, applying theory to real‑world problems
* Experience working in agile environments and directly with customers
* Strong grounding in Git, Linux/Unix, and Docker
* Passion for machine learning, MLOps, and open‑source ecosystems
* Ability to work in fast‑paced environments and adapt to changing requirements
* Knowledge of ML security and safety considerations
* Understanding of ML model internals
* Exposure to modern ML tooling (e.g. LLMs, vector databases, retrieval systems)
* 25 days holiday, rising to 30 with service
* Enhanced family leave (maternity, paternity, adoption)
* £500 annual learning & development budget + AI tooling allowance
* Equity scheme – giving you a stake in the company’s success
* Cycle to Work schemeRegular company socials and events
Location & Working Pattern
* Hybrid working model (typically 3 days in‑office)
* Roles available in Manchester, London, or Cheltenham
Due to the nature of the work, you may be required to:
* Work on secure customer sites
* Spend extended periods on‑site (potentially up to 5 days/week depending on project demands)
Why Apply?
This is a unique opportunity to:
* Work on mission‑critical national security projects
* Join a high‑growth, specialist consultancy
* Develop at the cutting edge of machine learning and MLOps
* Build both your technical expertise and personal brand within the industry
If you’re an SC‑cleared ML engineer looking to work at the intersection of research and real‑world impact, we’d love to hear from you.
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