AI and Automation Engineer

Excellerate; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 540,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Excellerate is seeking an AI & Automation Engineer in Hyde Park, Johannesburg. You will design, build, test and support AI-enabled tools, automation solutions and system integrations to reduce manual work and improve accuracy across client services.

This role requires 4-7 years of software/automation experience, proficiency in Python, APIs and low-code platforms, and a strong focus on secure, auditable development with governance and stakeholder collaboration.

Qualifications

• 4–7 years in software development or automation engineering.
• Hands-on Python, APIs and automation frameworks.
• Experience delivering end-to-end solutions from requirements through testing, deployment and support.
• Understanding of cybersecurity, data privacy and secure development principles.
• Experience with AI/ML and document AI is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• AI Solution Design & Development: build AI agents and AI-enabled workflows for approved use cases.
• Automation Engineering: design workflow automations, scripts, APIs, integrations and low-code automations.
• Data, Integration & Technical Enablement: structure data flows and develop system integrations.
• Responsible AI & Governance: maintain use-case documentation and risk assessments.
• Benefits Realisation & Support: measure time savings and provide technical support for deployed tools.

Skills

Python

APIs

Automation

System integration

Low-code

Education

Bachelor's degree or diploma in Computer Science / Software Engineering / Data Science

Tools

Power Platform

Azure AI / Azure OpenAI

UiPath

Make / n8n

Job description

AI & Automation Engineer

Hyde Park, Johannesburg

Position Purpose

The AI & Automation Engineer will design, build, test and support AI-enabled tools, automation solutions, internal copilots, workflow automations and system integrations. The role will translate business problems into secure, scalable and measurable automation solutions that reduce manual effort, improve accuracy, strengthen controls and support client-facing technology-enabled service innovation.

Key Responsibilities

1. AI Solution Design & Development

• Build AI agents, internal copilots, intelligent assistants and AI-enabled workflows for approved use cases.
• Develop solutions for document processing, service desk triage, knowledge retrieval, data extraction, reporting support and operational automation.
• Apply human-in-the-loop design principles for high-risk, financial, client-facing or operationally material outputs.
• Maintain technical documentation, user guidance and solution design records.

2. Automation Engineering

• Design and develop workflow automations, scripts, APIs, integrations and low-code-enabled automations.
• Identify opportunities to reduce manual work, rework, repetitive tasks and spreadsheet-based workarounds.
• Support automation of processes across Operations, Finance, Procurement, QHSE, HR, Portfolio Services and Business Development.
• Ensure automations are secure, maintainable, monitored and aligned to agreed standards.

3. Data, Integration & Technical Enablement

• Work with the Data Scientist / Analytics Lead to structure data flows required for AI and automation use cases.
• Develop integrations between approved systems where appropriate, using APIs, data connectors or controlled data exchange methods.
• Support secure on-premise or controlled AI development environments and development tooling.
• Ensure appropriate testing, logging, version control and release management.

4. Responsible AI & Governance

• Maintain AI use-case documentation, technical risk assessments and control evidence.
• Support AI testing for accuracy, reliability, bias, privacy and security considerations.
• Ensure compliance with AI governance, cybersecurity, data classification and acceptable-use requirements.
• Escalate risks or limitations before production deployment.

5. Benefits Realisation & Support

• Measure time savings, error reduction, productivity gains and adoption for automation initiatives.
• Provide technical support for deployed AI and automation tools.
• Train users and business champions on effective and responsible use of solutions.
• Continuously improve deployed solutions based on usage data and feedback.

Qualifications & Experience

1. Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or diploma in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, Information Systems, Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 4-7 years of experience in software development, automation engineering, AI/ML solution development, systems integration or workflow automation.
• Hands-on experience with Python or similar programming languages, APIs, data processing and automation frameworks.
• Experience developing practical business solutions from requirements through to testing, deployment and support.
• Understanding of cybersecurity, data privacy and secure development principles.

2. Preferred

• Experience with LLMs, prompt engineering, retrieval augmented generation, vector databases, OCR, document AI or agentic workflows.
• Experience with Microsoft Power Platform, Azure AI, Azure OpenAI, UiPath, Power Automate, Make, n8n or similar platforms.
• Knowledge of CAFM, ERP, procurement, QHSE or facilities management systems.
• Experience with DevOps, Git, testing frameworks, MLOps or model monitoring.

Preferred Skills & Competencies

• AI and automation sokution development
• Python, APIs and system integration
• Problem solving and technical analysis
• Secure development and data handling
• Process automation and workflow thinking
• Testing and quality assurance
• Documentation and user enablement
• Stakeholder engagement
• Ability to translate business probleems into working solutions

Working Relationships & Stakeholder Interfaces

Internal: CDTO, Automation / Low-Code Developer, Data Scientist / Analytics Lead, Business Analyst, Application Support Leads, IT, Cyber, Finance, Operations, QHSE and business process owners.

External: Technology vendors, specialist developers, implementation partners and selected client innovation stakeholders.