AI Automation Engineer

Ovations Technologies; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,004,000 - 1,339,000; Full time

Job summary

Ovations Technologies in Johannesburg is seeking an AI Automation Engineer to join a next-generation AI Payments Engineering Team focused on designing and delivering an AI-native Payments Operating System. This role will transform high-effort financial operations into scalable, auditable, and production-ready AI solutions, with automation spanning reconciliations, audit, reporting and analytics.

You will build production-grade AI workflows using Claude/Anthropic APIs, Spring AI, Java and/or

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience deploying production-grade AI and agentic systems.
• Strong understanding of LLM orchestration and multi-agent systems.
• Understanding of AI failure modes in high-stakes environments.
• Experience with Spring AI and/or Python-based orchestration.
• Experience with n8n or similar workflow engines.
• Experience integrating AI APIs, including Anthropic/Claude or similar.
• Strong API and systems integration experience.
• Ability to deliver across the full lifecycle: Discovery Design Build Deploy Optimise.
• Strong architecture and scalable platform design skills.
• Experience working in fast-paced and ambiguous environments.
• Strong ownership mindset and ability to bridge business, finance and engineering domains.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, test, deploy and maintain production-grade AI automation workflows.
• Build and deploy agentic and multi-agent workflows for reconciliations, audit, reporting and financial analytics.
• Develop solutions using Claude/Anthropic APIs, Spring AI, Java and/or Python.
• Use n8n or equivalent workflow engines and MCP or similar multi-agent coordination layers.
• Integrate internal and external systems through APIs, data pipelines and reporting systems.
• Identify automation opportunities across Payments operations.
• Ensure solutions include appropriate human oversight and approval controls.
• Build reusable AI frameworks, templates and workflows.
• Develop dashboards and metrics to measure efficiency, cost reduction, risk outcomes and ROI.
• Create documentation, standards and training to support adoption.

Skills

Production-grade AI

LLM orchestration

Multi-agent systems

AI failure modes

APIs integration

Stakeholder communication

Tools

n8n

Spring AI

Claude/Anthropic APIs

Java

Python

Job description

WE'RE HIRING: AI Automation Engineer

Contract: 6 Months

Johannesburg-Hybrid- 3days in the office

We are looking for an experienced AI Automation Engineer to join a next-generation AI Payments Engineering Team focused on designing and delivering an AI-native Payments Operating System.

This role will focus on transforming high-effort, high-risk financial operations into scalable, intelligent, auditable and production-ready AI solutions. Key focus areas include automation of Payments processes such as reconciliations, audit, reporting, financial analytics and operational processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, test, deploy and maintain production-grade AI automation workflows.
• Build and deploy agentic and multi-agent workflows for reconciliations, audit, reporting and financial analytics.
• Develop solutions using Claude/Anthropic APIs, Spring AI, Java and/or Python.
• Use n8n or equivalent workflow engines and MCP or similar multi-agent coordination layers.
• Integrate internal and external systems through APIs, data pipelines and reporting systems.
• Identify automation opportunities across Payments operations.
• Ensure solutions include appropriate human oversight and approval controls.
• Build reusable AI frameworks, templates and workflows.
• Develop dashboards and metrics to measure efficiency, cost reduction, risk outcomes and ROI.
• Create documentation, standards and training to support adoption.

AI Governance & Risk

• Classify automation solutions according to risk tiers before development.
• Ensure documented data flows, access controls and full audit logging.
• Design AI automation solutions that maintain control integrity in regulated environments.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Hands-on experience deploying production-grade AI and agentic systems.
• Strong understanding of LLM orchestration and multi-agent systems.
• Understanding of AI failure modes in high-stakes environments.
• Experience with Spring AI and/or Python-based orchestration.
• Experience with n8n or similar workflow engines.
• Experience integrating AI APIs, including Anthropic/Claude or similar.
• Strong API and systems integration experience.
• Ability to deliver across the full lifecycle: Discovery Design Build Deploy Optimise.
• Strong architecture and scalable platform design skills.
• Experience working in fast-paced and ambiguous environments.
• Strong ownership mindset and ability to bridge business, finance and engineering domains.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Stakeholders

You will work closely with:

• Payments Backend Teams
• Infrastructure & Platform Teams
• Compliance & Audit Teams
• AI Centre of Excellence
• If you have strong experience in AI Automation, Agentic AI, LLMs, Python/Java, Workflow Automation and Production AI Systems, we would love to hear from you!