Lead Data Scientist

Data Science Opportunity - Farnborough - Outside IR35 £550 - £650 P/Day - Hybrid

A growing technology organisation operating within highly secure environments is looking to hire a Lead Data Scientist to lead Data Science processes and GenAI deployment across complex programmes.

As a Lead Data Scientist, you'll play a key role in designing, developing, and deploying advanced AI systems, with a particular focus on Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs). You'll work across complex datasets and emerging technologies to create scalable, repeatable, and production-ready solutions.

You'll collaborate with engineering and technical leadership teams to drive AI capability forward, while remaining hands-on with model development, optimisation, and deployment.

Key Responsibilities

Design and build advanced AI/ML solutions for complex data-driven challenges
Develop and optimise Generative AI models and LLM-based applications
Work with transformer architectures, SLMs, convolutional models, and related AI frameworks
Build and optimise graph databases to support intelligent data relationships and retrieval
Design and implement MCP servers and supporting AI infrastructure
Select and apply appropriate machine learning techniques to achieve repeatable and measurable outcomes
Contribute to AI architecture decisions, experimentation strategies, and technical roadmaps
Work closely with engineers, architects, and stakeholders within secure environments
Support optimisation problems and solver-based approaches where requiredExperience Required

Strong hands-on experience building AI models and machine learning solutions
Commercial experience with:
Large Language Models (LLMs)
Small Language Models (SLMs)
Transformer architectures
Convolutional models
Experience designing and optimising graph databases
Experience building MCP servers
Proven ability to apply AI and ML techniques to solve complex data problems
Experience delivering scalable and repeatable AI solutions
Generative AI (GenAI) experience is essential

Due to the nature of the opportunity and business, applicants need active SC Clearance.

Data Science Opportunity - Farnborough - Outside IR35 £550 - £650 P/Day