Job Description

This role is available full-time for 37 hours per week Monday to Friday or part-time with a minimum coverage of 30 hours


Flexible or compressed working patterns available


This role is based in the office with opportunities to work from home, typically one day per week

Do you have data science experience? Are you interested in working on diverse and interesting Artificial Intelligence problems? Want to work where you can make a difference? Why not join our AI team working on unique engineering challenges to help protect national security in the UK and overseas?

As a data scientist, you'll work closely with other technical specialists across the full range of engineering domains, such as software engineers, hardware specialists and solutions architects. You will be looking to understand and prioritise problems where data science can add value and develop solutions tailored to the organisation's needs. You will support the broader adoption of AI; maximising the opportunities, and minimises the risks, that AI poses to our unique work. You will use dedicated research time to focus on experimenting; using state-of-the-art techniques to understand and maximise the value of potential solutions.


Working in the AI team, you will draw upon your knowledge and experience of data science to provide AI advice to other engineering teams, for example identifying where AI could add value to a particular product or capability in development. You will ensure your knowledge is up-to-date by researching and testing new, relevant AI tools and techniques. Working closely with other engineers and teams across the organisation, you will use your data science skills and experience to develop AI capability to be integrated within products and services. Whether this is a highly specialised product, or a multi-purpose capability; you will be responsible for researching, developing, validating and integrating the AI components.


Given the broad range of products and services that we develop, you will have the opportunity to work across a range of specialist data science domains, such as natural language processing and computer vision. You'll receive support and investment in your continued professional development through technical training, professional accreditation, mentoring, and on the job training. As you progress through your career, there are also opportunities for overseas travel for training and conferences.


We use the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework (formerly the Digital Data and Technology profession capability framework) to provide guidance and tools to support your development, recognise and reward your specialist expertise.

More About You

To apply for this role, you will already have experience in and be able to show evidence in your application of:

Researching and validating appropriate data science tools and techniques for a range of problems/requirements. Deriving insights from, or manipulating a range of data types, through the application of data science. Using programming experience to build scalable and robust data science products/services. Knowledge and experience in one of the following areas: artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital signal processing, computer vision, graph theory.

It would be beneficial if you also have experience in and be able to show evidence in your application of:

Researching and developing different machine learning architectures, e.g. CNNs, GANs, Reinforcement Learning. Software engineering experience in machine learning, e.g. MLOps.

Your Personal Skills

You will be the type of person who:

Is technically and intellectually curious. Has the ability to adapt to unplanned changes and overcome obstacles. Feels confident with uncertainty, helping others to reduce and manage ambiguity around potential ways forward. Enjoys seeing tasks through to completion. Is open minded. Uses creativity in problem-solving. Considers different individual needs, views and ideas, championing inclusion and equality of opportunity for all. Enjoys continuously promoting personal development by expanding Data Science knowledge and sharing best practice across departments/industry.

Putting your skills to use:

Using your diverse range of skills within the team, you will:

Identify efficient and effective ways to use data science to tackle business and organisational challenges, applying innovative AI techniques. Enjoy working in multidisciplinary teams, to understand where Data Science can add value to support engineering processes and capability development, in order to create positive impact. Build credible data science capabilities and use best coding practices to generate robust and reproducible work. Proactively use an evolving range of data science / AI tools and techniques, and have the ability to adapt to unplanned changes, overcome obstacles, and see tasks through to completion. Enjoy working with a range of experts, knowing when to draw on their expertise to help deliver requirements.

What we Offer

Now that we've explained a bit about what you will we be doing, here's what we can offer you:

A positive, collaborative and inclusive work environment. 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 after 5 years' service. 8 Bank Holiday days off in addition to your annual leave. 2 additional days leave (set dates through the year). Pension. Our Pension scheme is Alpha. It's competitive. Opportunities for development. Paid overtime or time off in lieu. Your salary is for your contracted hours. If you work more, we believe you should be recognised for that. Flexible or compressed hours to support you to balance your life with your work. Paid parental and adoption leave and neonatal policy. Affinity groups - whether you are a person with a disability, part of the LGBTQIA+ community and/or from an ethnic minority background, we provide an inclusive environment, support and a variety of networks for everyone. Training. Lots and lots of training. This can be anything from a day internal course to a distant learning degree. If it's relevant to your career, we will aim to support you. Opportunities for mentoring and coaching. Free secure parking and allocated parking for car shares. Free onsite gym, open 24 hours a day. Bike to work scheme. Multi-faith Prayer room. This is a quiet contemplation room for staff to use for prayer or reflection. 3 days paid leave a year to support a registered charity of your choice. Sports & Social Society. Whether its classic cars or baking, golf or crafting, we have a society for you. We offer regular subsidised theatre tickets and on-site activities. On site cafe and restaurant. On site nursery (subject to availability). Relocation Loan.

About HMGCC

We are HMGCC, the engineering specialists at the heart of the UK's national security.


We work with the national security community, UK government, academia, private sector partners and international allies to bring engineering ingenuity to the national security mission, creating tools and technologies that drive us ahead and help to protect the nation.


We invest in our people, not only with training but also support throughout your career with us; to allow you to reach your full potential at work, as well as enjoy the work/life balance many aspire to.


To find out more about us and if we're right for you, please visit our website.

Equal Opportunities

Inclusion and diversity really matters to us. It's not just about hitting targets or visible differences.


HMGCC are committed to providing equal opportunities and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and those with disabilities or who are neurodiverse.


We're not looking for any one type of person. We're looking for talent from all different backgrounds to join our organisation, where we genuinely respect and value each other's differences, as well as our similarities. It makes us even better at what we do.


We are proud to offer candidates the opportunity to apply through the Offer Of Interview Scheme. The scheme ensures eligible candidates are selected for an interview as long as their application meets the minimum criteria for the role. To find out more and how you can apply under this scheme, please see the inclusion and diversity information on our website.

Apply now

Discover more by clicking 'apply'.


Our recruitment team will process your application once the role has closed and everyone will get a response.


Please note dependent on the recruitment requirements, we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date.

* If you are relocating to the area then we can discuss the possibility of a relocation package.