Machine Learning Scientist - Reinforcement Learning

Placements24; Willows (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remote salary

Healthcare coverage

Professional development

Flexible working hours

Remote-first environment

Home office stipend

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Machine Learning Scientist specializing in Reinforcement Learning to work remotely from South Africa. You will design, train, and evaluate advanced RL agents for a variety of applications including robotics and games, collaborating with distributed teams to push the boundaries of AI capabilities.

The role emphasizes deep RL theory and practical deployment, with opportunities for professional development, cloud resources, and a remote-first working environment.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, or a related field with a strong focus on Reinforcement Learning.
• Minimum of 4 years of hands-on experience in applying RL algorithms to solve complex problems.
• Proficiency in Python and experience with machine learning libraries (TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn).
• In-depth knowledge of RL concepts, including Q-learning, policy gradients, actor-critic methods, and deep RL architectures.
• Experience with RL simulation environments (OpenAI Gym, MuJoCo) is highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with strong written and verbal communication for remote work.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate with remote teams.
• Experience with parallel computing and distributed systems is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and evaluate state-of-the-art reinforcement learning algorithms.
• Develop and train RL agents for robotics, games, optimization, and control systems.
• Research novel RL methodologies and assess their real-world impact.
• Collaborate with engineers to integrate RL solutions into platforms and products.
• Analyze results, interpret data, and identify key performance metrics.
• Stay current with latest RL research papers and advancements.
• Contribute to team knowledge through documentation, presentations, and code reviews.
• Address ethical considerations and safety in RL systems.

Skills

Reinforcement Learning

Python

Communication skills

Education

PhD or Master’s in CS/AI/Robotics with RL focus

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a leader in the AI and Emerging Technologies domain, renowned for its innovative approach to complex problem-solving. We are seeking a talented Machine Learning Scientist specializing in Reinforcement Learning (RL) to join our dynamic team. This role, based remotely, offers an exceptional opportunity to work on groundbreaking projects that push the boundaries of AI capabilities. You will be instrumental in developing intelligent agents and decision-making systems that operate in complex environments. The position is perfect for an individual passionate about RL theory and its practical applications, eager to contribute to significant advancements in the field. Join us and help shape the future of autonomous systems and intelligent automation from anywhere in South Africa.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and evaluate state-of-the-art reinforcement learning algorithms.
• Develop and train RL agents for various applications, including robotics, game playing, optimization, and control systems.
• Conduct research into novel RL methodologies and explore their potential for real-world impact.
• Collaborate with software engineers and domain experts to integrate RL solutions into existing platforms and products.
• Analyze experimental results, interpret complex data, and identify key performance metrics.
• Stay current with the latest research papers, publications, and advancements in reinforcement learning and related fields.
• Contribute to the team's knowledge base through documentation, presentations, and code reviews.
• Ensure the ethical considerations and safety aspects of RL systems are addressed.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, or a related field with a strong focus on Reinforcement Learning.
• Minimum of 4 years of hands-on experience in applying RL algorithms to solve complex problems.
• Proficiency in Python and experience with machine learning libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn).
• In-depth knowledge of RL concepts, including Q-learning, policy gradients, actor-critic methods, and deep RL architectures.
• Experience with RL simulation environments (e.g., OpenAI Gym, MuJoCo) is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think abstractly and conceptually.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, suitable for a remote working environment.
• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and collaborate with remote teams.
• Experience with parallel computing and distributed systems is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive remote salary and potential for performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive healthcare coverage.
• Professional development opportunities, including online courses and conference attendance.
• Flexible working hours and a remote-first work environment.
• Access to cutting-edge research tools and cloud computing resources.
• Opportunity to work on impactful and challenging AI projects.
• Collaborative virtual team culture fostering innovation and knowledge sharing.
• Company-provided equipment and home office setup stipend.