Machine Learning Operations Engineer

As a Machine Learning Operations Engineer with XPS you will:

• Model development. Work collaboratively with actuarial analysts to develop machine learning and statistical models to predict outcomes, related to pension schemes, such as life expectancy, default risk, or investment returns. Identify appropriate machine learning algorithms and apply them to enhance predictions, automate decision-making processes, and improve client offerings.
• Machine Learning Operations. Responsible for designing, deploying, maintaining and refining statistical and machine learning models using Azure ML. Optimize model performance and computational efficiency. Ensure that applications run smoothly and handle large-scare data efficiently. Implement and maintain monitoring of model drifts, data-quality alerts, scheduled r-training pipelines.
• Data Management and Preprocessing. Collect, clean and preprocess large datasets to facilitate analysis and model training. Implement data pipelines and ETL processes to ensure data availability and quality.
• Software Development. Write clean, efficient and scalable code in Python. Utilize CI/CD practices for version control, testing and code review.
• Work closely with actuarial analysts, actuarial modelling team (AMT) and other colleagues in XPS to integrate data science findings into practical advice and strategies.
• Stay abreast of new trends and technologies in Data Science technologies and pensions to identify opportunities for innovation.
• Provide training and support to other team members on using machine learning tools and understanding analytical techniques.
• Interpret and explain machine learning concepts and findings to other members of the analytics team and non-technical stakeholders within XPS., Please note we reserve the right to close our vacancies early and we only accept CVs direct from candidates or our preferred supplier list. XPS try wherever possible to respond to all applicants if for any reason you have not heard from us within 28 days of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

• Previous experience in designing, building, optimising, deploying and managing business-critical machine learning models using Azure ML in Production environments.
• Experience in data wrangling using Python, SQL and ADF.
• Experience in CI/CD and DevOps/MLOps and version control.
• Familiarity with data visualization and reporting tools, ideally PowerBI.
• Good written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to convey technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience in the pensions or similar regulated financial services industry is highly desirable.
• Experience in working within a multidisciplinary team would be beneficial., * DBS Disclosure check
• Employment or educational references covering five years
• Satisfactory credit check

We offer an attractive reward package, typical benefits can include:

• Competitive salary
• Participation in annual discretionary Bonus Scheme
• 25 days holiday plus flexibility to buy or sell holiday
• Flexible Bank holidays
• Pension scheme, matching contribution structure
• Healthcare cash plan
• Flexible Benefits Scheme to support you in and out of work, helping you look after you and your family covering Security & Protection, Health & Wellbeing, Lifestyle
• Life Assurance cover, four times basic salary
• XPS Rewards (offers High Street discounts and savings from retailers and services providers as well as offers available via phone)
• Employee Assistance Programme for you and your household
• Access to a digital GP service
• Paid volunteering day when participating in Company organised events
• Staff referral scheme when you introduce a friend to XPS, We want our people to know they matter so we offer a range of perks and benefits:
• Holiday entitlement
• Pension
• Life assurance
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• SAYE scheme
• Season ticket loans
• Sight tests
• Employee assistance programme
• Opportunities for hybrid working
• Generous annual flex allowance
• My XPS, My Benefits - flexible benefits you choose to suit you personally, including the option to buy additional holiday, bikes for work, private health care, travel insurance and dental insurance
• XPS Rewards - designed to offer you access to a wide range of discounts, saving you money on your shopping

Employee networks

Our seven Employee networks - XPS Women's Network, XPS LGBTQ+ Network, XPS Menopause Network, XPS Disability Network XPS Multicultural Network, Planet network and Mental health allies network - play an important role in our culture.

Some of them lead our inclusion and diversity programme of events, campaigns and workshops, such as celebrating International Women's and Men's Days, Pride Month and Black History Month, our Be Yourself at Work campaign and our workshops on LGBTQ+ Allyship, the importance of self-promotion for women's careers, menopause awareness and confidence when speaking up.

XPS Group is a leading UK consulting and administration business specialising in the pensions and insurance sectors. At XPS, our vision is to create a vibrant place to work where difference is recognised as a strength and where talented people can flourish and achieve their highest potential . Our Data Analytics business continues to grow and we are now looking for an experienced and technical Machine Learning (ML) Operations Engineer to join our vibrant London office with hybrid working. This is an exciting role and would most likely suit someone with previous experience in a similar role where they have gained knowledge and experience of designing, building, optimising, deploying and managing business-critical machine learning models using Azure ML in Production environments. You must have good technical knowledge of Phyton, SQL, CI/CD and familiar with Power BI. A FTSE 250 company, XPS combines expertise and insight with advanced technology and analytics to address the needs of over 1,400 pension schemes and their sponsoring employers on an ongoing and project basis. We undertake pensions administration for over one million members and provide advisory services to schemes and corporate sponsors in respect of schemes of all sizes, including 88 with assets over £1bn. We also provide wider ranging support to insurance companies in the life and bulk annuities sector. Our people drive our success and as an XPS employee you can bring your whole self to work - Everyone is treated equally and with respect. We will provide you with the support and training you need to grow and be at your very best. It's about inclusion and diversity, ensuring all our people feel included, that they belong to XPS and that they're happy. Above all, it's about ensuring everyone has a voice and feels valued. Because they are. The Team XPS Analytics is a specialist and multi-disciplinary team consisting of actuaries, data scientist and developers. Our role in this mission is to pioneer advancements in the field of pensions and beyond, leveraging state-of-the-art technology to extract valuable and timely insights from data. This enables the consultant to better advise Trustees and Corporate clients on a wide range of actuarial-related areas., We are a forward-looking, ambitious business. We are a leading independent pensions consulting and administration services firm and want to be the best provider of services to the UK pensions market. XPS combines expertise, insight and technology to address the needs of over 1,500+ pension schemes and their sponsoring employers on an ongoing and project basis. We undertake pensions administration for over one million members and provide advisory services to schemes and corporate sponsors in respect of schemes of all sizes, including 81+ with assets over £1bn. Getting it right for our clients and our people In 2023 XPS was awarded Third-Party Administrator of the Year and Fiduciary Evaluator of the Year at the UK Pensions Awards. For our business culture in 2023 we were awarded Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Award at the UK Pension Awards and was also listed in The Sunday Times's Best Places to Work 2023 (Big Company) for the first time. Being a responsible business has always been important to us. Doing the right thing is at the core of our strategy and how we operate across the business. So much so, it is embedded within our corporate purpose, mission, vision and values. As well as advancing sustainability across our business, we are working with our clients, communities, suppliers and colleagues to do the right thing., XPS is a fast-moving, exciting business, with an incredible team of people achieving a wide variety of different things, in all kinds of different roles. But wherever you are and whatever you're doing, it's the way you do it that makes you XPS. This is what makes our Corporate Values so important. They're at the heart of everything we do and define our interactions with everyone, not just colleagues, but clients, suppliers and the communities and environment in which we operate. They act as our guiding light