Lead Data Scientist (Defence)

TL;DR

Lead Data Scientist (Defence): Leading complex, business-critical AI projects within the defence sector, focusing on setting technical direction, designing and implementing reliable production-grade solutions. Focus on driving innovation, defining project roadmaps, and mentoring cross-functional teams to deliver high-impact outcomes.

Location: Hybrid (UK). This role requires working 2 to 4 days per week on-site with customers throughout the UK. When not on client sites, you will have the flexibility to work from the London office or remotely from elsewhere within the UK.

Company

hirify.global is an AI company established in 2014, transforming performance for over 350 global customers across government, finance, retail, energy, life sciences, and defence through human-centric AI solutions.

What you will do

• Set the technical direction for complex, business-critical projects, balancing trade-offs between speed, innovation, and reliability.
• Design and implement reliable, production-grade technical solutions, ensuring comprehensive documentation.
• Define project problems, develop clear roadmaps, and oversee end-to-end delivery across multi-disciplinary workstreams.
• Lead technical scoping and feasibility studies for high-value sales opportunities and strategic customer engagements.
• Manage relationships and communications with demanding clients, fostering trust and aligning technical solutions with long-term commercial goals.
• Drive the adoption of best practices and robust technical processes, and mentor other data scientists and team members.

Requirements

• Depth of expertise in at least one machine learning domain and strong technical breadth across data science.
• Skilled technical leader, proficient in mentoring individuals and managing teams.
• Proven project management expertise, capable of dividing complex, ill-defined problems into actionable workstreams.
• Adept at managing ill-defined, high-risk tasks, consistently delivering innovative and practical outcomes.
• Strong customer leadership skills, able to act as a trusted technical advisor.
• Excellent cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Commercial, and Infrastructure teams.
• Eligibility for UK Security Clearance (SC) is required.

Culture & Benefits

• Unlimited Annual Leave Policy
• Private healthcare and dental
• Enhanced parental leave and family-friendly flexibility
• Sanctus Coaching
• Hybrid working (2 days in our Old Street office, London, when not on client sites).

Hiring process

• Talent Team Screen (30 minutes)
• Introduction to the team (30 minutes)
• Take Home Technical Assessment
• Technical Interview (90 minutes)
• Commercial Interview (60 minutes)