Machine Learning Engineer
Also advertised as: AI Engineer, Applied Machine Learning Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, machine packaging inspector, machine packaging supervisor, machine packing engineer
Builds and deploys machine learning models into production systems.
What the job involves
Machine learning engineers take models built by data scientists and turn them into reliable, production-ready systems. You write software to train, deploy and monitor models at scale, working closely with data engineers and software teams. The role sits at the intersection of software engineering and applied data science.
Typical responsibilities
- Build and deploy machine learning models into production
- Design training and inference pipelines
- Monitor model performance and drift
- Optimise models for speed and cost
- Collaborate with data scientists and engineers
Common employers
- Technology companies
- Banks
- Retailers
- Autonomous vehicle companies
- Consultancies
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£35,000 – £45,000 a year
With experience
£60,000 – £95,000 a year
Typical hours
37.5 hours
Working environment
Office or remote
Remote working
remote
Demand for this work
high
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Python
- Machine learning frameworks
- Software engineering
- Cloud platforms
- MLOps tools
- Data pipelines
Transferable skills you may already have
- Software development experience
- Mathematical reasoning
- Systems thinking
Requirements employers ask for
- Python
- Machine learning frameworks
- Software engineering
- Cloud platforms
- MLOps tools
- Data pipelines
- A computer science or maths degree is common; strong project portfolios can substitute
- CAD software
- approve engineering design
- use technical drawing software
- engineering principles
- mechanics
- mathematics
- plan new packaging designs
- adjust engineering designs
- packaging engineering
- industrial engineering
- read engineering drawings
- technical drawings
Useful but not essential
- Software development experience
- Mathematical reasoning
- Systems thinking
- AWS Certified Machine Learning - Specialty
- Master's in machine learning
- Level 6 Data Scientist apprenticeship
- provide cost benefit analysis reports
- estimate duration of work
- blueprints
- set up the controller of a machine
- use CAM software
- material mechanics
- plan manufacturing processes
- CAE software
Helpful qualifications
- AWS Certified Machine Learning - Specialty
- Master's in machine learning
- Level 6 Data Scientist apprenticeship
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Apprenticeships and work-based routes
- Data Scientist (Level 6)
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: Computer science
- Related subject: Maths
- Related subject: Physics
Where this career can lead
next
Senior ML Engineer
next
ML Architect
next
Head of AI
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- High demand and among the strongest salaries in tech
- Cutting-edge, fast-moving field
- Strong crossover with software engineering careers
What people find hard
- Requires deep technical knowledge across two disciplines
- Models can fail unpredictably once in production
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a machine learning engineer?
- No. As well as degree routes, this career can be entered through an apprenticeship or by building experience and qualifications on the job. preferred
- How much does a machine learning engineer earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £35,000 to £45,000 a year, rising towards £95,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Software development experience, Mathematical reasoning, Systems thinking.
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Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 15 September 2026.
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