AI/ML Engineer - Reinforcement Learning

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Hybrid work model

Learning opportunities

Powerful computing resources

Generous annual leave

Retirement savings plan

Office in Nelspruit

Job summary

Placements24 in Nelspruit seeks an innovative AI/ML Engineer specializing in reinforcement learning. You will design, implement, and optimize RL algorithms, train agents, and work with simulation data to solve complex decision tasks in a hybrid role.

You’ll collaborate with software engineers to deploy RL solutions, stay abreast of advances, and contribute to reusable libraries while delivering robust, scalable AI systems for real-world challenges.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a quantitative field.
• Proven experience developing and implementing RL algorithms.
• Strong RL theory, concepts and algorithms understanding.
• Proficiency in Python and ML libraries (TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Experience with simulation tools is a plus.
• Familiar with deep learning in RL and strong problem-solving.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.
• Hybrid work in Nelspruit and ability to work with office-based team.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and evaluate RL algorithms (Q-learning, Policy Gradients, Actor-Critic).
• Develop and train intelligent agents for complex tasks.
• Work with simulation environments and real-world data.
• Optimize RL algorithms for performance and sample efficiency.
• Collaborate with engineers to integrate RL into production systems.
• Stay current with RL and AI research; conduct experiments.
• Contribute to reusable RL libraries and tools.
• Document algorithms, experiments, and findings; participate in code reviews.

Skills

Python

TensorFlow

PyTorch

RL theory

Q-learning

Policy gradients

Actor-Critic

Simulation tools

Analytical skills

Education

BSc/MSc in CS/Engineering/Math

Tools

RLlib

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in AI & Emerging Technologies, is seeking an innovative AI/ML Engineer with expertise in Reinforcement Learning (RL) to join their hybrid team in **Nelspruit**. This role is central to developing intelligent agents and systems that can learn and adapt through trial and error, tackling complex decision‑making problems. You will work on designing, implementing, and optimizing RL algorithms for various applications, contributing to state-of-the‑art AI solutions. The hybrid nature of this role allows for close collaboration with your colleagues in our **Nelspruit** office while benefiting from some remote work flexibility. If you are passionate about pushing the boundaries of machine intelligence and applying RL to real‑world challenges, this is an exceptional opportunity. You will be instrumental in creating systems that learn optimally in dynamic environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and evaluate reinforcement learning algorithms (e.g., Q-learning, Policy Gradients, Actor-Critic methods).
• Develop and train intelligent agents for complex decision‑making tasks.
• Work with simulation environments and real‑world data to train and test RL models.
• Optimize RL algorithms for performance, stability, and sample efficiency.
• Collaborate with software engineers to integrate RL solutions into production systems.
• Stay current with the latest research and advancements in reinforcement learning and AI.
• Conduct experiments and analyze results to validate approaches and identify improvements.
• Contribute to the development of reusable RL libraries and tools.
• Document algorithms, experiments, and findings thoroughly.
• Participate in code reviews and contribute to a culture of technical excellence.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing reinforcement learning algorithms.
• Strong understanding of RL concepts, theory, and common algorithms.
• Proficiency in Python and relevant ML libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, RLlib).
• Experience with simulation tools and environments is a plus.
• Familiarity with deep learning techniques and their application in RL.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid setting within the **Nelspruit** office.
• Experience in game AI, robotics, or control systems is advantageous.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance‑based incentives.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits.
• Hybrid work model to support work‑life balance.
• Opportunities for professional growth and learning in cutting‑edge AI fields.
• Access to powerful computing resources for AI research and development.
• Collaborative and innovative team environment.
• Generous annual leave and company holidays.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Convenient office location in **Nelspruit**.