Principal AI Research Engineer

Placements24; Willows (CA); Hybrid; USD 122,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Our client in Welkom, South Africa, seeks a Principal AI Research Engineer to lead R&D in AI/ML, design and deploy advanced DL models, and publish research findings. You will mentor researchers, collaborate with product teams, and advance AI architectures across NLP, CV, and RL domains.

The role emphasizes leadership, independent remote work, and translating research into scalable systems within a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's in CS/AI or a related field.
• 8+ years in AI/ML R&D with publications or impactful projects.
• Proven expertise in DL models (CNNs, RNNs, Transformers).
• Strong Python and ML library skills (TensorFlow, PyTorch, JAX).
• Solid algorithms, data structures, and software engineering fundamentals.
• Excellent leadership and collaboration skills; remote work experience.
• Ability to translate research into scalable production solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead R&D for state-of-the-art AI/ML algorithms.
• Design, implement, and deploy deep learning models for complex tasks.
• Research NLP, CV, RL; publish findings.
• Collaborate with product teams to integrate AI solutions.
• Mentor junior researchers and engineers.
• Maintain scalable ML pipelines; evaluate new frameworks.
• Stay current with AI literature and conferences.

Skills

PhD/MS in CS/AI

8+ years AI/ML

Deep learning

Python

TensorFlow

PyTorch

JAX

ML systems

Education

PhD in CS/AI or related field

MS in CS/AI or related field

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

JAX

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in artificial intelligence innovation, is actively searching for a visionary Principal AI Research Engineer to join their advanced R&D division. This pivotal role, based in Welkom , will drive the development of groundbreaking AI technologies and machine learning models that will shape the future of various industries. You will be at the forefront of exploring novel AI architectures, deep learning techniques, and reinforcement learning strategies. The ideal candidate possesses a profound understanding of AI theory, exceptional coding skills, and a proven ability to translate complex research into tangible, scalable solutions. Join our team in Welkom and pioneer the next wave of intelligent systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the research and development of state-of-the-art AI and machine learning algorithms.
• Design, implement, and deploy sophisticated deep learning models for complex tasks.
• Conduct cutting-edge research in areas such as natural language processing, computer vision, and reinforcement learning.
• Collaborate with product teams to integrate AI solutions into new and existing platforms.
• Mentor and guide junior researchers and engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in AI research through continuous learning and literature review.
• Publish research findings in top-tier conferences and journals, and contribute to open-source projects.
• Develop and maintain robust ML pipelines, ensuring scalability and efficiency.
• Evaluate and benchmark new AI technologies and frameworks for potential adoption.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant research and development experience in AI/ML.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing and deploying deep learning models (e.g., CNNs, RNNs, Transformers).
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, and ML libraries like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or JAX.
• Strong understanding of algorithms, data structures, and software engineering principles.
• Proven track record of significant contributions to AI research, evidenced by publications or impactful projects.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Experience working remotely and independently is essential.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, innovative research environment.

Benefits

Our client offers an exceptionally competitive compensation package, including a significant annual bonus, performance-based equity, comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, and a generous retirement savings plan. We provide extensive opportunities for professional growth, including funding for conferences, workshops, and access to world-class computational resources.

This role in Welkom presents a unique opportunity to make a profound impact on the future of artificial intelligence.