Senior Principal ML Engineer – AI Data Centre Networking & Infrastructure
Northwest England | Hybrid | Full-Time
Join a next-generation AI infrastructure organisation building one of the most advanced AI-enabled data centre ecosystems in Europe.
We are seeking a world-class Senior Principal ML Engineer to lead the convergence of AI, networking, automation, and hyperscale infrastructure across a globally connected enterprise environment.
About the Role
As the Senior Principal ML Engineer, you will serve as the highest-level technical authority for AI-augmented networking and intelligent infrastructure strategy across enterprise, cloud, and data centre environments.
You will work directly with executive leadership, infrastructure architects, security teams, and global engineering organisations to define the future-state architecture supporting AI workloads, edge inference, autonomous remediation, predictive operations, and next-generation connectivity platforms.
This role combines deep technical expertise, strategic influence, and industry thought leadership within one of the most demanding and innovative infrastructure environments in the market.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Leadership & Architecture
* Act as the final technical authority on enterprise networking and AI-driven infrastructure architecture.
* Own and govern global networking architecture spanning:
* LAN/WAN
* Datacenter fabrics
* Cloud connectivity
* Wireless networking
* Edge and access networking
* Firewalls and secure remote access
* Carrier interconnects and managed connectivity
* Lead cross-domain architectural decisions and executive-level technical escalations.
* Define enterprise-wide standards, reference architectures, and best practices across all regions and business units.
AI-Augmented Infrastructure & Operations
* Lead the integration of AI and ML across networking and operational domains including:
* AIOps
* Predictive analytics
* Autonomous remediation
* AI-driven anomaly detection
* Threat intelligence
* Capacity forecasting
* Configuration intelligence
* Architect infrastructure capable of supporting large-scale AI training and inference workloads.
* Advance observability strategies using streaming telemetry, eBPF, intelligent monitoring, and automation-first operational models.
Strategic Innovation
* Develop and maintain 3–5 year networking and AI infrastructure roadmaps.
* Evaluate emerging technologies and provide executive-ready recommendations.
* Influence vendor roadmaps and contribute to next-generation infrastructure strategy.
* Partner closely with cloud, security, application, and edge architecture teams to accelerate enterprise-wide modernisation.
Engineering Excellence & Industry Leadership
* Mentor senior and principal engineers across networking, automation, and AI disciplines.
* Lead architecture review boards and technical communities.
* Represent the organisation externally through:
* Industry conferences
* Technical publications
* Standards participation
* Patents and thought leadership
Required Experience
We are looking for an exceptional engineering leader with a proven track record operating at hyperscale.
Essential Qualifications
* Extensive experience in enterprise-scale networking, infrastructure, and security architecture.
* 10+ years operating in senior principal, distinguished engineer, fellow, or equivalent executive-level IC roles.
* Experience managing global multi-site environments supporting:
* 10,000+ endpoints
* Petabit-scale fabrics
* Mission-critical infrastructure
* Prior experience within a Fortune 50, hyperscale cloud, AI, or advanced technology organisation.
Deep Technical Expertise In
* Datacenter and enterprise networking:
* BGP / EVPN
* VXLAN
* Leaf-spine architectures
* SD-WAN
* 400G+ fabrics
* Security architectures:
* Zero Trust
* SASE / SSE
* Microsegmentation
* Next-generation firewalls
* Wireless networking platforms:
* Mist AI
* Meraki
* Carrier and managed connectivity:
* MPLS
* VPLS
* Metro Ethernet
* P2P
* SD-WAN
* Hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructure integration
* Infrastructure automation and performance optimisation
AI & Automation Experience
* Strong experience applying AI/ML to networking operations and infrastructure intelligence.
* Understanding of AI infrastructure requirements including edge inference and high-performance compute networking.
* Hands-on experience with automation and Infrastructure as Code:
* Python
* Ansible
* Terraform
* GitOps workflows
Preferred Qualifications
* MSc or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, AI, or related discipline.
* Active involvement in technical communities or standards bodies:
* IETF
* ONUG
* CNCF Networking SIGs
* Experience operating within regulated or mission-critical sectors such as:
* Finance
* Healthcare
* Critical infrastructure
* Defence
What We Offer
* Opportunity to shape next-generation AI infrastructure strategy at global scale
* Executive-level influence and visibility
* Access to cutting-edge AI, networking, and automation technologies
* Collaborative environment with elite engineering talent
* Competitive executive compensation package
* Flexible hybrid working model in Northwest England