AI Research Engineer - Reinforcement Learning

Placements24; Queenstown; Hybrid; NZD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hours

Remote work from anywhere

Groundbreaking AI research

World-class team

Contract extensions possible

Research resources access

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a talented AI Research Engineer specializing in Reinforcement Learning to design, implement, and evaluate novel RL algorithms for complex decision problems in a remote-first setting.

You will collaborate with leading researchers, publish findings, and contribute to scalable RL systems, using Python, PyTorch or TensorFlow, and modern RL libraries. This role offers flexible hours and the chance to push AI boundaries.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field with a specialization in Reinforcement Learning.
• Strong theoretical understanding and practical experience with RL algorithms (e.g., Q-learning, Policy Gradients, Actor-Critic).
• Proficiency in Python and ML/RL libraries (NumPy, SciPy, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Stable Baselines3, RLlib).
• Experience in designing and conducting simulations and experiments.

Responsibilities

• Research and develop state-of-the-art Reinforcement Learning algorithms.
• Implement and test RL algorithms using frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Ray RLlib.
• Design simulation environments and benchmark experiments for evaluating RL agents.
• Analyze experimental results, identify key insights, and propose improvements.
• Collaborate with other researchers and engineers to integrate RL solutions into larger systems.
• Contribute to research papers and present findings at academic conferences.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in RL and related fields.

Skills

Reinforcement Learning

Python programming

Research skills

Experiment design

Academic writing

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/AI with RL specialization

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Stable Baselines3

RLlib

NumPy

SciPy

Job description

About the Role Our client is seeking a talented and motivated AI Research Engineer with expertise in Reinforcement Learning (RL) to join their innovative team. This role will focus on designing, implementing, and evaluating novel RL algorithms for complex decision‑making problems. You will work on challenging research projects, contribute to publications, and collaborate with a team of leading AI researchers and engineers. This position offers a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of AI research and development in a flexible, remote-first environment. You'll be instrumental in advancing the capabilities of AI systems through sophisticated RL techniques, contributing to impactful applications. This **remote** role allows for a broad reach beyond geographical constraints.

Key Responsibilities

• Research and develop state‑of‑the‑art Reinforcement Learning algorithms.
• Implement and test RL algorithms using frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Ray RLlib.
• Design simulation environments and benchmark experiments for evaluating RL agents.
• Analyze experimental results, identify key insights, and propose improvements.
• Collaborate with other researchers and engineers to integrate RL solutions into larger systems.
• Contribute to research papers and present findings at academic conferences.
• Stay up‑to‑date with the latest advancements in RL and related fields.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field with a specialization in Reinforcement Learning.
• Strong theoretical understanding and practical experience with various RL algorithms (e.g., Q-learning, Policy Gradients, Actor-Critic methods).
• Proficiency in Python and ML/RL libraries (e.g., NumPy, SciPy, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Stable Baselines3, RLlib).
• Experience in designing and conducting simulations and experiments.
• Good understanding of machine learning fundamentals and deep learning.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, enabling effective collaboration in a **remote** setting.

Benefits

• Competitive contract rate commensurate with experience.
• Flexible work hours and the ability to work from anywhere.
• Opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking AI research.
• Collaboration with a world‑class team of AI experts.
• Potential for extended contract based on performance and project needs.
• Direct impact on the advancement of AI technology.
• Access to research resources and computational infrastructure.