Senior AI/ML Security Engineer

Job summary

Autonomous systems are becoming increasingly important for Defence, but they don’t always behave as designed in the complex and contested environment of the modern battlefield. The Advanced Dependable Autonomy team is multi-disciplinary team applying experience in AI, Resourcing & Recruitment Process software engineering, cyber security and autonomy who are dedicated to making AI and autonomous systems robust and trustworthy. In this role you will be expected is will keep abreast of latest developments in autonomy vulnerabilities and develop robust solutions towards this goal.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

Job description

In this role you will:

• Work as part of a team to Deliver project research objectives across all domains (Air,Land, Maritime, Space and Effectors) deploying maths and machine learning skills to support Dstl Programme outcomes.
• Develop approaches to evaluate, demonstrate, and advise on safety and vulnerabilities in AI-driven and autonomous systems, reducing the risk of accidental or deliberate harm to Defence and Security capability and users.
• Understand the behaviours of autonomous and AI systems to maximise their effectiveness considering safety, security and trustworthiness in benign or contested environments.
• Support the ethical considerations of AI and autonomy-enabled systems.
• Work across MOD, Government, and with our partners in Industry, Academia and abroad across a range of technical areas.
• Be aware of the downstream impact of their actions and the actions of their direct reports on those outside of their immediate control.
• Confidently lead technical tasks, with the ability to adapt quickly to changing direction and priorities. Positively, motivating, inspiring, encouraging and influencing others through effective communication and engagement.
• Maintain and manage strong, effective relationships with peers, role modelling Enterprise Leadership to deliver collaboration on delivery outcomes and strategic direction.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who has:

• Experience of AI, machine learning and associated performance metrics.
• Applying mathematical or statistical rigor. Be able to review machine learning approaches and outputs ensuring that outputs are technically robust.
• Excellent communication skills. Communicating complex concepts and results to a variety of audiences.
• The ability to prepare and deliver technical reports, by written and verbal presentations, with clear and persuasive explanation of complex processes to a non‐ technical audience.
• Ability to break problems / issues into component parts and to provide realistic, holistic solutions. Critical thinking and problem solving applied to a variety of problems.
• A desire to learn about autonomy and AI vulnerabilities, machine learning security and resilience risks to apply your skills within this field.
• A strong interest and broad understanding in the application of all AI and Machine Learning.

Please see full job description at the bottom of this page

Important Information

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

Qualifications

Degree or Higher Degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Robotics or other quantitative field or equivalent experience). With strong skills in one or more of the following areas: Machine Learning, AI, Mathematics, Cyber Security, Software Engineering, Autonomy, Systems Deployment, Modelling and Simulation Development, Robotics.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £41,431, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £12,002 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Benefits

Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:

• Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.

• Flexible working: Options include alternative working patterns such as, job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).

• Working hours: Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.

• Where you work: Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.

• Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.

• Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid

• Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.

• Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our