Principal Machine Learning Engineer

Job Title: Principal Machine Learning Engineer Location: London (Hybrid) | Company: Leading applied AI consultancy About the Company Founded almost 20 years ago, on the belief that AI would be the most important technology of our time, this applied AI consultancy has worked with 350+ global clients, spanning government, finance, retail, energy, life sciences, and defence. Delivering human-centric AI that moves the needle, not chases hype. About the Role As Principal Machine Learning Engineer, you'll be the definitive technical authority on ML engineering across the organisation. You'll own the architectural vision for the most complex, highest-stakes programmes, shape engineering strategy at an organisational level, and act as a trusted technical partner to senior leadership and executive clients. This isn't just project leadership, you'll be a force multiplier, shaping engineering culture, elevating the people around you, and building technical foundations designed to last. What You'll Do * Define and own the organisation-wide technical vision for ML engineering * Lead delivery on flagship, business-critical ML programmes across multiple teams and clients * Drive strategic adoption of new tools, platforms, and ways of working * Coach and develop senior engineers and engineering managers * Act as principal technical voice in C-suite and executive client engagements * Provide technical authority on high-value sales and pre-sales opportunities * Partner with Data Science, Commercial, and Infrastructure leadership on strategy What You'll Bring * Recognised authority in ML engineering, with deep expertise across multiple domains * Expert-level Python and a proven record building production-grade ML systems at scale * Expertise across multiple major cloud providers, with experience architecting complex, full-stack AI platforms * Deep MLOps, containerisation, and orchestration expertise at scale * A track record developing senior engineering talent * A visible external profile, publications, conference talks, open-source leadership, or industry recognition * Comfort operating at executive level, translating technical decisions into commercial outcomes Interview Process Five stages Benefits * Unlimited annual leave * Private healthcare \& dental * Enhanced parental leave * Flexible \& hybrid working * External coaching support Don't meet every requirement? Apply anyway if you're excited about the role and bring key strengths.