Senior Data Scientist (Defence Sector) – Permanent Role
Location: UK-based (Hybrid) – Regular on-site presence required with travel as needed
Clearance: Eligibility for UK Security Clearance (SC/DV) required
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Senior Data Scientist to join a high-impact team supporting critical programmes within the defence sector. This is a permanent position offering the opportunity to apply advanced analytics, machine learning, and data engineering techniques to real-world operational challenges in a secure and mission-driven environment.
The successful candidate will work across multidisciplinary teams, delivering insight-driven solutions that enhance decision-making, operational efficiency, and strategic capability.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the development and deployment of advanced machine learning and statistical models to solve complex defence-related problems
* Work closely with stakeholders to translate operational requirements into analytical solutions
* Design and implement scalable data pipelines and robust data products
* Conduct exploratory data analysis and present actionable insights to technical and non-technical audiences
* Support the integration of AI/ML solutions into secure and regulated environments
* Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to best practice across the team
* Ensure all work complies with relevant security, governance, and ethical standards
Required Experience & Skills
* Proven experience as a Data Scientist in a complex or regulated environment (defence, government, aerospace, or similar preferred)
* Strong proficiency in Python or R, with solid experience in SQL
* Demonstrated experience with machine learning frameworks (e.g. scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch)
* Experience deploying models into production environments
* Strong understanding of statistics, data modelling, and experimental design
* Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to stakeholders
* Experience working with large, structured and unstructured datasets
Desirable Skills
* Experience within the UK defence or national security environment
* Knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) in secure environments
* Familiarity with MLOps practices and tools
* Experience with geospatial, time-series, or signal data
* Active Security Clearance (SC or DV)
What We Offer
* Permanent position in a highly specialised and impactful sector
* Exposure to cutting-edge analytics and AI/ML applications in defence
* Structured career development and training opportunities
* Collaborative and mission-focused working environment