Machine Learning engineer? Why you should consider the UK for your next move

LinkedIn has listed Machine Learning Engineer as second place in this year’s 20 most in-demand job titles in the UK. Top locations for this position include London, Cambridge and Edinburgh, and employers are generally asking for around three years of experience. Interestingly, while Data Engineers and Back End Developer roles are also in demand, London and Manchester are the most popular locations.

If you’re thinking of relocating here, the UK is attractive for many reasons; here are just a few:

• The average base pay for a Machine Learning Engineer is £51,487, and it goes up to a six-figure salary for the right person (Glassdoor[1]).
• The UK is ranked third in the world for private venture capital investment into AI companies; in 2019, investment into the UK reached almost £2.5bn. It’s also home to a third of Europe’s total AI companies.
• More and more Unicorn start-ups[2] are making their presence felt in the UK, with three in four of the UK’s unicorn companies based in London. As this includes all 20 fintech unicorns[3], the demand for a skilled workforce couldn’t be higher.
• The UK offers the most flexible visa for specialists and highly skilled individuals. The traditional Skilled Worker visa route is readily available if you qualify to enter the UK market on a sponsored route.
• Alternatively, the Global Talent Visa offers great flexibility if you’re a highly accomplished ML engineer. A successful application will get you through a fast-track route to permanent residency status after three years and you wouldn’t be bonded to any employer throughout the visa duration.

The UK also offers a fantastic work-life balance for professionals with a family. With excellent commuting routes, you wouldn’t necessarily have to live in London. With access to an exceptional school system and being strategically located geographically, it’s a smooth ride for your family members if they relocate to the UK with you.

At GSC Solicitors LLP, we advise clients on all aspects of Immigration, UK tax, and UK employment law. If you’re considering moving to the UK for work, get in touch with our specialist immigration team to discuss your options. Call our Private & Corporate Immigration expert Shareena Rahman on +44 (0)20 7822 2222 or email [email protected]

[1] https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/machine-learning-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,25.htm

[2] https://startupsoflondon.com/the-complete-list-of-unicorn-startups-in-the-uk-2021/

[3] https://www.beauhurst.com/research/unicorn-companies/

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