AI/ML Tech Lead

Vodafone Group; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Vodafone Group is seeking an experienced AI/ML Engineer to lead the development and operations of AI/ML models on a unified cloud data platform. Located at Vodacom Campus in Midrand, the ideal candidate will leverage extensive software engineering and cloud expertise to streamline data processes and enhance business strategies. This pivotal role offers competitive benefits and values diversity in hiring.

Benefits

Enticing incentive programs

Competitive benefit packages

Retirement funds and medical aid

Cell phone and data benefits

Exclusive staff discounts

Qualifications

• 8+ years in Data, AI and Analytics or related software engineering experience.
• Experience in delivering GenAI applications.
• Agile exposure, Kanban or Scrum.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of AI/ML systems.
• Drive Cloud Big Data architecture and solution design.
• Automate AI/ML predictive model software.

Skills

Software engineering

DevOps engineering

AI/ML engineering

Communication skills

Collaboration skills

Education

Advanced degree in Computer Science/Math/Statistics/Engineering

Relevant cloud certification

Tools

AWS services

Big Data frameworks (Hadoop, Spark, etc.)

Distributed ML frameworks (H2O, TensorFlow)

Containerization services (Docker, Kubernetes)

NoSQL databases and streaming technologies

Job description

When it comes to putting people first, we're number 1.

The number 1 Top Employer in South Africa.
Certified by the Top Employer Institute 2025.

Role Purpose/Business Unit:

• Use their knowledge of ML/AI and combine it with programming and software engineering skills to enable easier use of and access to the Group unified datalake, AI and ML technology stack to enable the development, deployment and operation of AI/ML models and related data & analytics.
• Work closely with the Group International Markets Data Science team, local markets IT and commercial stakeholders to enable Cloud Data Lakehouse capabilities that enable and ease the AI/ML model and analytics development, deployment, and operations.
• Lead and shape the team of Software Engineers, ML Engineers, and DevOps Engineers in the Group AI / ML and Big data cloud capability design, development, deployment and operations.
• Enable and support the Group International Business (IB) Data Science Team, IB markets and Group functions in deriving business value from the Group AI / ML and Big Data cloud big data unified platform.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Lead and shape the design and develop AI / ML systems and capabilities.
• Lead and shape the Cloud Big Data application and infrastructure DevOps design, development, and deployment of standardised and repeatable patterns.
• Drive the automation of AI / ML predictive model software, including model training.
• Enable the automation and production of data science prototypes through configure driven capabilities and develop ML apps according to data science requirements.
• Ensure streamline, secure and digitised flow of data in the Group unified lake house to enable effective AI / ML model execution and delivery, and secure ML outcomes in real-time or batch to the IB markets systems of engagement.
• Drive the overall Cloud Big Data architecture and solution design to evolve the Group cloud big data capabilities (reusable assets/patterns) and components to support the business requirements/objectives.
• Stay abreast with latest trends and research of AI / ML and cloud big data technologies and methods to improve delivery and sustainability of big data, AI / ML applications and services.
• Make contributions to the process of defining best practice for the agile development of applications to run on the Group cloud big data platform.

Core competencies, knowledge, and experience:

• Experience managing the development life cycle for agile software development projects.
• Robust software engineering, DevOps engineering and AI/ML engineering skills and expertise.
• Experience in using a wide range for data tools such as AWS services – S3, SFTP, Glue, EMR (Spark), Step Functions, Athena, CloudWatch, CloudTrail, KMS, SageMaker, Kinesis, OpenSearch, etc.
• Knowledge of Big Data frameworks like Hadoop, Spark, Hive, Yarn, Airflow, etc.
• Experience in working with distributed ML frameworks like H2O and/or TensorFlow
• Experience in working with various ML libraries with key focus on AWS Sagemaker
• Programming experience in Java, Python is essential
• Experience working containerisation services such as Docker/Kubernetes or cloud alternatives would be an advantage
• Experience with AWS big data lakehouse architecture & analytics is essential, while working knowledge of GCP would be desirable.
• Experience with other distributed technologies, NoSQL databases and streaming technologies would be desirable.
• Strong written and verbal communications
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills.

The ideal candidate for this role will have:

• Advanced degree in Computer Science/Math/Statistics/Engineering or a related discipline would be an advantage
• Relevant cloud certification at professional or associate level
• 8+ years in Data, AI and Analytics or related software engineering experience
• Exposure and experience with delivery of GenAI applications.
• Agile exposure, Kanban or Scrum

We make an impact by offering:

• Enticing incentive programs and competitive benefit packages
• Retirement funds, risk benefits, and medical aid benefits
• Cell phone and data benefits, advantages fibre connection discounts, and exclusive staff discounts offered in collaboration with partner companies

Closing date for Applications: 25 June 2025.

The base location for this role is Midrand, Vodacom Campus.

The company's approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.
Vodacom is committed to an organisational culture that recognises, appreciates, and values diversity & inclusion.