Staff Engineer (Defence)

We are looking for a Staff Engineer to lead the technical delivery of complex software, data, and AI projects, focusing on the Defence sector. This role combines deep technical expertise with project leadership and client engagement. You will quickly grasp new problem spaces, work with domain experts, and deliver robust, production-ready solutions to complex challenges across software engineering and specialised domains.

If this sounds like you, we can't wait to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership and Engineering:

• Own the technical direction and architecture of projects, making sound engineering decisions.
• Oversee the delivery of high-quality, maintainable and production-ready code.
• Design and develop backend services, APIs, data pipelines and integrations.
• Build AI systems, including solutions using Large Language Models and machine learning.
• Review code and technical designs
• Apply software engineering best practice including Git, Docker, CI/CD and cloud deployment.

Defence and Domain Expertise:

• Rapidly understand unfamiliar and complex scientific, engineering, mathematical, operational and business domains to solve difficult client problems.
• Develop sufficient domain understanding to challenge assumptions, identify the underlying problem and make informed technical decisions.
• Work effectively with Defence clients and subject matter experts, understanding the importance of operational context, technical constraints and real-world application.
• Apply strong analytical and first-principles thinking to problems involving complex systems, data and physical or operational environments.
• Bring relevant experience and understanding of the Defence sector to help shape credible and practical technical solutions.

Project and Client Delivery:

• Lead project delivery teams, providing technical direction and removing blockers.
• Build strong client relationships and lead client meetings, workshops and technical discussions.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand operational and business needs and translate these into appropriate technical strategies.
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Wider Contribution:

• Contribute to technical discovery, project scoping, bids and proposal writing.
• Contribute to technical standards, reusable approaches and engineering best practice.
• Actively seek out new opportunities to learn and develop.

Key Requirements:

• Degree in a quantitative or technical field such as computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, statistics or data science
• Experience of successfully leading complex software or AI projects from design to deployment
• Experience working within the Defence sector, or in closely related technical, engineering or national security environments
• Experience of rapidly developing an understanding of complex domain-specific problems and using this knowledge to inform technical solutions
• Experience of leading client meetings and presenting technical concepts to senior stakeholders and subject matter experts
• Experience of developing high-quality software in Python.
• Experience of developing backend services, APIs and data engineering pipelines.
• Experience of using cloud platforms such as AWS or Azure, Docker, Git and CI/CD.
• Experience of designing or developing machine learning and AI systems, including Large Language Models.
• Experience of completing code and technical design reviews and applying software engineering best practices.
• Extensive knowledge of software engineering concepts, architecture and best practice.
• Strong understanding of backend development, APIs, databases and data engineering.
• Practical knowledge and experience of developing AI solutions, including Large Language Models and machine learning.
• Ability to rapidly understand complex scientific, engineering, mathematical and business domains.
• Ability to think strategically, solve complex technical problems and make sound engineering decisions.
• Ability to successfully lead technical project teams.
• Ability to work effectively with external stakeholders, understand business goals and manage expectations.
• Ability to mentor and provide technical guidance to other engineers and data scientists.
• Excellent organisational skills, including project planning and time management.
• Effective problem-solving and analytical skills, with high attention to detail

Interview Process:

Stage 1: 20 min video call with a member of the hiring team

Stage 2: 45 mins live coding task in Python

Stage 3: 90 min F2F interview in our London office

Our Benefits:

At ADSP, we believe in rewarding talent and supporting your growth. Here’s what you can look forward to as part of our team:

• Competitive compensation package including annual performance bonus and equity
• 26 days of annual leave, 8 bank holidays plus your birthday off
• BUPA Private Healthcare
• Enhanced family leave
• £1,000 annual development budget
• Flexible hybrid working (1 day a week in our modern Shoreditch office)
• Remote working from anywhere in the world for up to 4 weeks each year
• Latest tech that suits your needs: high-spec Windows machine or a MacBook
• Free snacks and drinks, and regular team socials
• Supportive entrepreneurial environment offering a ton of autonomy and opportunity to work on a variety of projects, technologies and industries

Join us and realise your full potential in a collaborative, forward-thinking team, where your work will help shape the future.

Our Committment To Dei:

At ADSP, we are committed to fostering an inclusive hiring process and believe in creating an environment where all candidates have equal opportunities to succeed. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]