AI Engineer (Python, SQL Server & RESTful API) - Johannesburg - up to R900k per annum

ATS Client; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

ATS Client is seeking a highly skilled AI Engineer to design, build, and deploy intelligent systems that integrate ML models with scalable backend services. You will work across data engineering, backend development, and AI model integration to deliver production‑ready AI solutions.

The role requires strong Python development, RESTful API design, and experience with AI/ML tools and concepts, including frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch. This on‑site position is based in Johannesburg.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, AI, or related field.
• 5+ years' experience in Python development.
• Strong experience with Microsoft SQL Server.
• Proven experience designing and building RESTful APIs.
• Solid understanding of AI/ML concepts (supervised, unsupervised learning, deep learning basics).
• Experience with at least one ML framework (TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit‑learn).
• Strong knowledge of data structures, algorithms, and software engineering principles.
• Experience working with JSON, API authentication (OAuth2/JWT), and microservices.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy AI/ML models for real‑world business applications
• Build and maintain scalable Python‑based backend services
• Develop and manage RESTful APIs for integrating AI systems with applications
• Integrate machine learning models into production‑ready services
• Work with Microsoft SQL Server for database design, optimisation, and querying
• Develop and maintain data pipelines to support AI and analytics workflows
• Design end‑to‑end AI system architectures (data, model, API, deployment)
• Implement and support microservices‑based architectures
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams including data scientists and software engineers
• Ensure performance, scalability, and security of AI‑driven systems and APIs
• Work with AI/ML frameworks and tools such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or scikit‑learn
• Participate in testing, debugging, and continuous improvement of deployed solutions

Skills

Python development

AI/ML concepts

RESTful APIs

Data pipelines

Backend services

SQL Server

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, AI, or related field

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

JSON

OAuth2/JWT

Job description

We are seeking a highly skilled AI Engineer with strong expertise in Python development, Microsoft SQL Server, RESTful API design, and modern AI/ML tools and concepts. The ideal candidate will design, build, and deploy intelligent systems that integrate machine learning models, data pipelines, and scalable backend services to support enterprise applications.

You will work across data engineering, backend development, and AI model integration to deliver production‑ready AI solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy AI/ML models for real‑world business applications
• Build and maintain scalable Python‑based backend services
• Develop and manage RESTful APIs for integrating AI systems with applications
• Integrate machine learning models into production‑ready services
• Work with Microsoft SQL Server for database design, optimisation, and querying
• Develop and maintain data pipelines to support AI and analytics workflows
• Design end‑to‑end AI system architectures (data, model, API, deployment)
• Implement and support microservices‑based architectures
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams including data scientists and software engineers
• Ensure performance, scalability, and security of AI‑driven systems and APIs
• Work with AI/ML frameworks and tools such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or scikit‑learn
• Participate in testing, debugging, and continuous improvement of deployed solutions

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, AI, or related field
• 5+ years' experience in Python development
• Strong experience with Microsoft SQL Server
• Proven experience designing and building RESTful APIs
• Solid understanding of AI/ML concepts (supervised, unsupervised learning, deep learning basics)
• Experience with at least one ML framework (TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit‑learn)
• Strong knowledge of data structures, algorithms, and software engineering principles
• Experience working with JSON, API authentication (OAuth2/JWT), and microservices