Lead AI Engineer - Remote First

Placements24; United States; Remote; USD 73,000 - 127,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health benefits

Home office budget

Professional development budget

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead AI Engineer to architect and deliver scalable AI systems in a fully remote-first setup. You will guide engineers and researchers, drive end-to-end ML lifecycle, and collaborate with product teams to shape AI features and roadmaps.

The role emphasizes asynchronous communication, strong documentation, and leadership in a distributed team. Remote work from SA with occasional virtual meetups, contributing to high-impact products used by millions.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 8+ years of experience in software engineering, with at least 5 years focused on AI/ML engineering.
• Proven experience leading engineering teams, preferably in a remote setting.
• Expertise in Python and AI/ML libraries (TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn).
• Strong understanding of distributed systems, cloud computing and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Experience with MLOps tools (MLflow, Kubeflow).
• Excellent communication skills for asynchronous interaction.
• Ability to manage complex projects and deliver high-quality results remotely.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of scalable AI/ML platforms and services.
• Mentor and guide a team of AI engineers and data scientists in a remote setting.
• Oversee the end-to-end machine learning lifecycle, including data preparation, model training, evaluation, and deployment.
• Collaborate with product management to define AI features and roadmap.
• Establish best practices for MLOps, CI/CD, and code quality in AI projects.
• Architect robust and efficient data pipelines for AI model training and inference.
• Troubleshoot and optimize AI models and systems for performance and scalability.
• Foster a collaborative and productive remote working environment.
• Contribute to technical strategy and decision-making for AI initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Remote collaboration

Communication

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/Engineering

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

MLflow

Kubeflow

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a rapidly expanding tech firm at the forefront of AI innovation, seeking an exceptional Lead AI Engineer to join their fully remote-first team. This position, based remotely but with occasional team meetups planned virtually, is crucial for architecting and implementing scalable AI solutions. You will guide a talented team of engineers and researchers in developing and deploying state-of-the-art artificial intelligence systems. The ideal candidate possesses a deep technical understanding of AI/ML principles and a proven ability to lead projects from conception to production. As a remote-first organization, we emphasize asynchronous communication, robust documentation, and empowering our team members to thrive in a distributed work environment. This role offers the chance to make a significant impact on products used by millions worldwide, working from the comfort of your home in or near **Tembisa, Gauteng**. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture where all voices are heard and valued.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of scalable AI/ML platforms and services.
• Mentor and guide a team of AI engineers and data scientists in a remote setting.
• Oversee the end-to-end machine learning lifecycle, including data preparation, model training, evaluation, and deployment.
• Collaborate with product management to define AI features and roadmap.
• Establish best practices for MLOps, CI/CD, and code quality in AI projects.
• Architect robust and efficient data pipelines for AI model training and inference.
• Troubleshoot and optimize AI models and systems for performance and scalability.
• Foster a collaborative and productive remote working environment.
• Contribute to technical strategy and decision-making for AI initiatives.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 8+ years of experience in software engineering, with at least 5 years focused on AI/ML engineering.
• Proven experience leading engineering teams, preferably in a remote setting.
• Expertise in Python and common AI/ML libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn).
• Strong understanding of distributed systems, cloud computing (AWS, Azure, or GCP), and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Experience with MLOps tools and practices (e.g., MLflow, Kubeflow).
• Excellent communication skills, with a talent for clear, concise asynchronous interaction.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and deliver high-quality results in a remote environment.
• Experience with big data technologies is a plus.
• A passion for building intelligent systems and driving innovation.

Benefits

This remote-first position offers a highly competitive salary of ZAR per annum, extensive paid time off, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, and a generous budget for professional development and home office setup.

As a fully remote role, you have the freedom to work from anywhere within South Africa, while being part of a vibrant and collaborative team based near **Tembisa, Gauteng**. We provide opportunities for career advancement, access to cutting-edge technology, and a culture that prioritizes work-life balance and employee well-being. Join us and help shape the future of AI from your own home office.