Agentic AI Engineer (Defence & Security)

The Role  

We have an opportunity for an engineer in our AI & Algorithms department, working with a particular focus on our defence and security clients. You’ll join a team of talented engineers and scientists designing, building and testing intelligent systems that solve hard, real-world problems. As an Agentic AI Engineer, you’ll take the technical lead on parts of our projects, mentor more junior colleagues, and play an active part in shaping and winning new work. With well-equipped labs and substantial computing resources behind you, you’ll turn state-of-the-art research into systems our clients can depend on. 

Much of our defence and security work requires security clearance, so we ask for it up front. You won’t work exclusively in that sector, but a genuine interest in it matters to us.  

What you’ll be doing  

• Designing and implementing cutting edge AI solutions to our clients’ problems such as systems that can search for, interpret and analyse information as well as plan and act to achieve a goal. 
• Taking technical ownership of significant parts of client projects, delivering quality work to budget and schedule with little supervision. 
• Acting as technical authority or technical lead on smaller projects and contributing to the technical direction of larger ones. 
• Mentoring and supporting less experienced engineers and helping them develop as technical consultants. 
• Working directly with clients to understand their problems, show what’s possible, and build their confidence in our work. 
• Contributing to proposals and helping scope new work, translating client needs into credible technical approaches. 
• Building demonstrators and internal capability that showcase our expertise in defence, security and adjacent markets. 

What you can bring 

• 3+ years’ experience designing and delivering cutting edge AI solutions, including some experience developing agentic AI systems. 
• Strong Python programming skills and a solid grasp of modern software development practice. 
• A strong undergraduate degree in a relevant technical subject, such as AI/machine learning, computer science, mathematics or physics. 
• A track record of delivering quality technical work in a team 
• The ability to lead and mentor others. 
• An interest in working with clients and getting involved in proposals and sales conversations. 
• A genuine affinity for working in the defence and security sector. 

Because of where this role sits, holding (or being able to obtain) UK security clearance is essential. You must be eligible to obtain Security Check (SC) level security clearance (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/united-kingdom-security-vetting-applicant). You must be able to work in the UK without restrictions in accordance with UK National Law and be prepared to successfully undertake an appropriate level of UK National Security Vetting according to UK Government criteria. We offer a flexible approach to hybrid working, although some of the projects you will be working on will require full-time working in the office. 

Why Cambridge Consultants? 

Cambridge Consultants creates exciting and novel breakthroughs in technology and products. Our work on intelligent systems area has helped create world-first and market-changing technologies including real-time AI-enhanced medical imaging, autonomous defence systems against cyberattacks, and