Lead Machine Learning Engineer (LLMs / RAG / Python / GCP) | UK/EU Remote, B2C Start-up | £500-650/day | Outside IR35 | Initial 6-month contract, likely extension
Posted 1 day ago by Owen Thomas | Pending B Corp™
£650 Per day
Outside
Remote
United Kingdom
Summary: The Lead Machine Learning Engineer will play a pivotal role in a stealth-mode, venture-backed startup, focusing on the design, implementation, and deployment of machine learning models, particularly in Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and LLM-powered features. This position requires a hands-on leader who can tackle complex problems, guide junior engineers, and collaborate closely with the founding team. The role is remote, targeting candidates based in the EU, and offers a competitive daily rate. The contract is initially for six months with a likelihood of extension.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the design and implementation of ML models, focusing on RAG and LLM-powered features.
- Take ownership of ambiguous problems, making decisions and driving solutions forward.
- Build and scale robust backend infrastructure & APIs using Python and GCP.
- Debug and optimize the ML stack, understanding the underlying mechanics.
- Collaborate with the founding team to iterate on product direction and integrate ML into a mobile-first environment.
- Support and guide junior engineers, setting the pace and standard for the team.
Key Skills:
- Strong theoretical and practical ML skills, with experience training models from scratch.
- Hands-on experience applying LLMs in production, including fine-tuning & RAG pipelines.
- Backend engineering expertise in Python (FastAPI, Pydantic, etc.) and experience deploying on GCP.
- Proactive, resilient startup mindset comfortable with ambiguity.
- Leadership skills to guide junior team members and make tough decisions.
Salary (Rate): £650 daily
City: undetermined
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: remote
IR35 Status: outside IR35
Seniority Level: undetermined
Industry: IT
Lead Machine Learning Engineer (LLMs / RAG / Python / GCP) | UK/EU Remote, B2C Start-up | £500-650/day | Outside IR35 | Initial 6-month contract, likely extension
We’re supporting a stealth-mode, venture-backed startup with a world-class founding team (ex-Google) and a clear mission: applying modern ML techniques to solve real-world challenges in creative, impactful ways. They’re looking for a Lead Machine Learning Engineer (Contract) to help design, build, and deploy core ML components of their product - and to set the technical direction and lead others by example. If you thrive on solving complex problems under pressure, enjoy working hands-on with the latest ML and RAG techniques, and can confidently lead a small team while staying close to the code, this could be a great fit.
What You’ll Do as Lead Machine Learning Engineer (LLMs / RAG / Python / GCP) | UK/EU Remote, B2C Start-up | £500-650/day | Outside IR35 | Initial 6-month contract, likely extension
- Lead the design and implementation of ML models, with a focus on Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and LLM-powered features
- Take ownership of tricky, ambiguous problems - reasoning out loud, making decisions, and driving solutions forward without waiting for perfect specs
- Build and scale robust backend infrastructure & APIs (Python, GCP, etc.)
- Debug and optimise the state of the ML stack; know what’s going on under the hood, not just at the surface
- Collaborate directly with the founding team to iterate quickly on product direction and integrate ML into a mobile-first environment
- Support and guide more junior engineers, setting the pace and standard for the team
What We’re Looking For as Lead Machine Learning Engineer (LLMs / RAG / Python / GCP) | UK/EU Remote, B2C Start-up | £500-650/day | Outside IR35 | Initial 6-month contract, likely extension
- Strong theoretical and practical ML skills, with experience training models from scratch
- Hands-on experience applying LLMs in production, including fine-tuning & RAG pipelines
- Confident, fast-thinking problem solver who can reason clearly under pressure
- Backend engineering expertise in Python (FastAPI, Pydantic, etc.) and experience deploying on GCP
- Startup mindset: proactive, resilient, and comfortable with ambiguity
- A leader who can take charge when needed, guide junior team members, and make tough decisions
Contract Details
- Contract: LTD company (UK/EU) / B2B
- Location: Remote (must be EU-based for timezone reasons)
- Duration: 6 months, with potential to extend
- Start: ASAP
If you’re an experienced ML engineer who’s technically sharp, enjoys leading from the front, and thrives in fast-moving environments, we’d love to hear from you. Apply here, and we’ll be in touch if it’s a strong match.