Senior Optimisation Scientist Contract UK

• Deliver production-ready code, implementing optimisation pipelines and services using best-practice software engineering (e.g., modular design, strict typing where applicable, automated testing, documentation).
• Build and maintain robust data ingestion/cleaning pipelines supporting optimisation runs.
• Integrate optimisation services into workflow orchestration layers and the wider product stack (APIs, UI hooks, scheduling/execution).
• Implement reliability features: logging, monitoring/metrics, error handling, retries, fallbacks, and automated regression tests for operational edge cases.
• Contribute to cloud-based deployment practices and CI/CD pipelines; ensure reproducibility, traceability, and safe releases.

• Engage with clients to gather specifications, deeply understand the domain, and define what “value” means (service levels, cost, throughput, resilience, sustainability, etc.).
• Communicate modelling choices and results clearly to audiences with varying technical depth; articulate assumptions, limitations, and validation evidence.
• Quantify adoption and value capture: measure impact post-deployment and iterate based on operational feedback.

• Follow current and contribute to setting future engineering standards for optimisation components.
• Provide code reviews; raise the bar on correctness, performance, readability, testability, and maintainability.
• Mentor and train other team members on optimisation topics and delivery best practices.

Minimum Qualifications / Skills (what you need)

• Relevant PhD or Master’s degree plus experience on applied optimisation problems, including experience in industry.
• Deep expertise in at least one: Mixed Integer linear programming, or Metaheuristics, or Stochastic programming, or Reinforcement learning
• Mixed Integer linear programming, or
• Metaheuristics, or
• Stochastic programming, or
• Reinforcement learning
• Strong ability to structure and implement optimisation solutions in real-world settings.
• Experience working in agile teams and cross-functional delivery environments.
• Demonstrate technical leadership and/or team leadership.
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English.
• Reliability, accountability, collaborative mindset, and ability to give constructive feedback while supporting team wellbeing.
• Deep programming expertise in at least one: Python, Java and/or Rust.
• Familiarity with modern delivery tooling such as: cloud platforms, Git workflows, CI/CD, containerisation (Docker/ECS-style), experiment tracking/model/data versioning, and workflow orchestration patterns.

Behaviours and Mindset

• Systems Thinker: detail-oriented while holding the big picture.
• Curious, proactive, pragmatic, and data-driven.
• Collaborative, resilient, and adaptable to changing priorities.
• A technologist who keeps up with advances in optimisation, software development, and AI/ML.
• Committed to delivering real operational value—not just mathematically elegant or over engineered models.

What we Offer

• Benefits - enhanced pension, life assurance, income protection, private healthcare;
• Remote working - café, bedroom, beach - wherever works;
• Truly flexible working hours - school pick up, volunteering, gym;
• Generous Leave - 27 days holiday plus bank holidays and enhanced family leave;
• Annual bonus - when Satalia does well, we all do well;
• Impactful projects - focus on bringing meaningful social and environmental change;
• People oriented culture - wellbeing is a priority, as is being a nice person;
• Transparent and open culture - you will be heard;
• Development - focus on bringing the best out of each other;

If you feel like you don’t tick all our boxes but know you’d make a fantastic Senior Optimisation Scientist at Satalia, please do apply—transferable skills and experiences matter.

Satalia is home to some of the brightest minds in AI and if you’re looking to join a company who not only values autonomy and freedom, but embraces a culture of inclusion and warmth, we’d love to hear from you.

We aim to respond to all applications within 2 weeks.

If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks this means your application has been unsuccessful.

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Good luck!