Applied Machine Learning Engineer, Industry Solutions

The Role

The Applied Machine Learning Engineer will be a member of Terra Quantum's AI Applied Research team. This team builds and delivers end-to-end machine learning solutions for industrial clients across time series forecasting, optimisation, computer vision, natural language processing, and generative AI. The Engineer will own the classical machine learning craftsmanship that makes those solutions work, from data exploration and feature engineering through to model selection, hyperparameter optimisation, training pipelines, evaluation, and client delivery. A subset of the models built by the team incorporate a quantum layer; the Engineer is expected to treat that layer as one architectural component of an otherwise classical pipeline, and to apply the full toolkit of classical ML methods (including tree-based methods, boosting, deep learning, and classical optimisation) to make hybrid solutions perform reliably on real industrial data.

The Applied Machine Learning Engineer plays a role in driving excellence within their team. They are not only detail-oriented but also possess a remarkable capacity for enthusiasm. By demonstrating commitment and passion for the mission, they inspire their team members to contribute to making quantum technologies widely accessible and to effect positive change globally.

The Responsibilities

The Applied Machine Learning Engineer should expect to work in one and supporting in the other areas of the following AI Applied Research Team activities.

• Building and delivering industry machine learning solutions
• Designing end-to-end ML pipelines for client problems in time series, routing and planning, GenAI, natural language processing, computer vision, and predictive modelling
• Choosing the right classical method for the problem (gradient-boosted trees such as XGBoost or LightGBM, random forests, deep neural networks, kernel methods, classical optimisers) based on data characteristics, not framework preference
• Treating the quantum layer (when present) as a constrained component of the model and using classical ML tradecraft (feature engineering, regularisation, training schedules, hyperparameter sweeps) to make the hybrid pipeline work
• Classical machine learning craftsmanship in service of hybrid models
• Doing the unsexy parts of an ML pipeline well: data cleaning, leakage protection, cross-validation design, baseline construction, statistical significance testing
• Designing feature representations that align with the quantum component when one is present, including Fourier-spectrum features and other quantum-aware encodings that classical models can also consume
• Profiling and improving training stability when gradients are noisy or non-standard, in cooperation with the quantum research team
• Contributing to our internal ML libraries and SDK so that future client engagements can re-use what one engagement built
• Supporting research and applied product development
• Translating proposed quantum machine learning algorithms and ansatze from the research team into testable implementations within classical ML pipelines
• Helping evaluate where and why a quantum layer adds measurable benefit on applied tasks, and, just as importantly, where it does not

The Requirements

The Applied Machine Learning Engineer is expected to have several qualifications depending on the area of activity.

• Completed a Master's degree in computer science, applied mathematics, data science, statistics, engineering, physics, or equivalent subject
• Hands-on experience with classical machine learning through coursework, an industrial internship, a research project, or a first junior role, and a clear interest in continuing in applied ML
• Strong command of Python, the standard data science stack (NumPy, pandas, scikit-learn), and at least one deep learning framework (PyTorch or TensorFlow)
• Comfort across the classical ML toolkit beyond deep learning, including tree-based methods (XGBoost, LightGBM, random forests), gradient boosting, and kernel methods, with good judgement about which method fits which problem
• Experience designing rigorous experiments (cross-validation, baseline construction, statistical testing, hold-out evaluation) and reporting the results honestly with appropriate uncertainty
• Software engineering fundamentals: version control with Git, testing, reproducible environments, configuration-driven experiments
• Curiosity about quantum computing and a willingness to pick up the necessary quantum concepts on the job. Formal quantum education is not required, and experience with frameworks such as PennyLane, Qiskit or Cirq is a plus rather than a requirement
• Familiarity with at least one applied ML vertical such as time series forecasting, NLP, computer vision, or industrial optimisation is a plus
• Goal-oriented and analytical, with the ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Proficiency in written and spoken English
• Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in the European Union or Switzerland. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.