AI/ML Engineer - Reinforcement Learning Specialist

Placements24; Queenstown; Hybrid; NZD 106,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary with performance bonuses

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Hybrid work arrangement

Paid time off

Job summary

WhatJobs Direct seeks an AI/ML Engineer specializing in Reinforcement Learning to join our advanced R&D team in a hybrid role based in Queenstown, ZA. Develop and deploy RL algorithms across robotics, optimization, and autonomous systems, with hands-on work on simulation environments.

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s or PhD in related fields and has hands-on experience with Python, TensorFlow or PyTorch, and RL libraries; strong analytical, collaboration, and communication skills are

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, AI, ML or closely related field with RL specialization.
• Demonstrable experience implementing RL algorithms with portfolio/projects/publications.
• Strong programming in Python with TensorFlow, PyTorch; familiarity with RL libraries.
• Solid understanding of deep learning, probability, stats.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP) is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work in a hybrid team and remote component.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and evaluate advanced RL algorithms (Q-learning, Policy Gradients, Actor-Critic).
• Develop and maintain simulation environments for RL training and testing.
• Apply RL to robotics control, game AI, recommendation, or optimization.
• Process and analyze large-scale datasets to inform model development.
• Collaborate with AI/ML engineers to integrate RL solutions into systems.
• Optimize algorithms for performance and efficiency.
• Stay up-to-date with RL research and document findings clearly.
• Present progress to teams and stakeholders.

Skills

Reinforcement Learning

Python

TensorFlow

PyTorch

OpenAI Gym

Ray RLlib

Deep Learning

Data analysis

Cloud computing

Education

Master's or PhD in Computer Science/AI/ML

Tools

OpenAI Gym

Ray RLlib

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

WhatJobs Direct is seeking a talented AI/ML Engineer with specialized expertise in Reinforcement Learning (RL) to join our advanced research and development team. This role is based in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, ZA, and operates under a hybrid work model, allowing for a blend of remote flexibility and essential in-office collaboration. You will be at the forefront of developing novel RL algorithms and applying them to solve complex problems in areas such as robotics, optimization, and autonomous systems. The ideal candidate possesses a strong theoretical foundation in RL and practical experience in implementing and deploying RL agents. You will work with challenging datasets and cutting-edge simulation environments, pushing the boundaries of what's possible with intelligent agents. Our client is deeply invested in pioneering AI technologies, and this position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking projects and significantly advance your career. We seek individuals who are passionate about research, possess strong analytical skills, and thrive in an innovative environment. The hybrid nature of this role supports both focused individual work and collaborative team efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and evaluate advanced Reinforcement Learning algorithms (e.g., Q-learning, Policy Gradients, Actor-Critic methods).
• Develop and maintain simulation environments for training and testing RL agents.
• Apply RL techniques to solve real-world problems in areas like robotics control, game AI, recommendation systems, or resource optimization.
• Process and analyze large-scale datasets to inform RL model development.
• Collaborate with other AI/ML engineers and researchers to integrate RL solutions into larger systems.
• Optimize RL algorithms and implementations for performance and efficiency.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest research and advancements in Reinforcement Learning and related AI fields.
• Document research, experiments, and findings clearly and comprehensively.
• Present technical findings and project progress to internal teams and stakeholders.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a closely related field with a specialization in Reinforcement Learning.
• Demonstrable experience in developing and implementing RL algorithms, preferably with a portfolio of projects or publications.
• Strong programming skills in Python, with extensive experience in relevant libraries such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, OpenAI Gym, or Ray RLlib.
• Solid understanding of deep learning, probability, and statistics.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a hybrid team setting.
• Ability to work independently and manage tasks efficiently in a remote component of the hybrid model.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package with performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous retirement contribution plan.
• Flexible hybrid work arrangement.
• Ample paid time off and company holidays.
• Opportunities for advanced training, research, and conference attendance.
• Access to cutting-edge research facilities and computational resources.
• A stimulating and collaborative work environment focused on innovation.