AI Research Engineer - Reinforcement Learning

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Conference attendance support

Medical and retirement benefits

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in Vereeniging, Gauteng seeks an AI Research Engineer (Reinforcement Learning) to design, implement, and evaluate innovative RL algorithms across robotics, control, and optimization domains. You will work on challenging real‑world problems, develop simulation environments, and publish findings while collaborating with a diverse team.

The role emphasizes strong RL theory, practical application, and a penchant for advancing AI research, with a hybrid work model and opportunities for

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, AI, ML or related field.
• Strong theoretical RL background with practical applications.
• Hands-on experience implementing RL algorithms for real tasks.
• Proficiency in Python and deep learning libraries (TF/PyTorch).
• Familiarity with simulation environments (Gym, MuJoCo, PyBullet).
• Excellent analytical and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Research and develop advanced RL algorithms and models.
• Implement RL solutions using TensorFlow, PyTorch or Ray RLlib.
• Build and test simulation environments for RL agents.
• Apply RL to robotics, control, resource management, etc.
• Analyze results and iterate to improve performance.
• Collaborate with researchers and engineers to integrate RL.
• Publish findings in top conferences/journals.

Skills

Reinforcement Learning

Python

Deep Learning

RL frameworks

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science / AI / ML

Strong RL theory

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

OpenAI Gym

MuJoCo

PyBullet

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge technology firm, is seeking a talented AI Research Engineer specializing in Reinforcement Learning (RL) to join their team in Vereeniging, Gauteng . This role is crucial for pushing the boundaries of intelligent automation and decision‑making systems. You will be involved in designing, implementing, and evaluating novel RL algorithms for complex real‑world problems across various domains, such as robotics, optimization, and game AI. The ideal candidate has a strong theoretical understanding of RL and practical experience in applying it to challenging tasks. This is an exceptional opportunity to work on pioneering research and development in the exciting field of AI from our Vereeniging location.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research and develop advanced Reinforcement Learning algorithms and models.
• Implement and test RL algorithms using frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Ray RLlib.
• Design and build simulation environments for training and evaluating RL agents.
• Apply RL techniques to solve real-world problems in areas such as robotics, control systems, resource management, and more.
• Analyze and interpret experimental results, and iterate on algorithms to improve performance.
• Collaborate with other researchers and engineers to integrate RL solutions into larger systems.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in Reinforcement Learning research and related fields.
• Publish research findings in top-tier conferences and journals.
• Contribute to the intellectual property and innovation within the team.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related quantitative field.
• Strong theoretical background in Reinforcement Learning concepts (e.g., Q-learning, Policy Gradients, Actor-Critic methods).
• Hands‑on experience in implementing and applying RL algorithms to practical problems.
• Proficiency in Python and experience with deep learning libraries (TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Familiarity with simulation tools and environments (e.g., OpenAI Gym, MuJoCo, PyBullet).
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Experience with software engineering best practices.
• Published research in RL or related fields is highly desirable.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive medical and retirement benefits, and opportunities for continuous professional development, including support for attending leading AI conferences and workshops. This role in Vereeniging, Gauteng offers a stimulating work environment where innovation is encouraged, and contributions are recognized. Benefit from a hybrid work arrangement that balances collaboration with flexibility, and join a team dedicated to advancing the frontiers of artificial intelligence.