AI Solutions Architect - Data Science Focus

Placements24; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced AI Solutions Architect with a strong Data Science background to join the team in Queenstown, Eastern Cape. You will bridge business needs and technical execution, designing AI/ML architectures and guiding deployment across complex projects.

The role requires cloud fluency (AWS/Azure/GCP), expertise in ML algorithms, data pipelines, and MLOps, with strong communication to stakeholder groups.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in CS/DS/Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years in Data Science / ML / AI Engineering roles.
• 3+ years designing and architecting AI/ML solutions.
• Experience with cloud platforms and their AI services.
• Strong knowledge of ML algorithms, statistics, and data mining.
• Proficiency in Python or R.
• Experience with Spark/Hadoop and data warehousing.
• Solid software architecture and MLOps understanding.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Design end-to-end AI/ML solutions from data ingestion to deployment and monitoring.
• Evaluate and recommend AI technologies, frameworks, and platforms.
• Collaborate with data scientists and engineers to translate business problems into technical solutions.
• Define data strategy, governance, and data quality standards for AI projects.
• Oversee development and deployment of machine learning models and algorithms.
• Ensure solutions are scalable, reliable, and cost-effective.
• Provide technical leadership to project teams.
• Develop architectural blueprints and documentation for AI systems.
• Assess and mitigate technical risks of AI implementations.
• Stay updated on emerging AI technologies and best practices.

Skills

Data science leadership

Cloud platform experience

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

MLOps knowledge

Big data (Spark/Hadoop)

Python/R programming

Software architecture

Education

Master's degree or PhD in CS/DS/Engineering

Tools

Spark

Hadoop

Python

R

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic player in the AI & Emerging Technologies sector, is seeking an experienced AI Solutions Architect with a strong Data Science background to join their team in Queenstown, Eastern Cape. This role involves designing and overseeing the implementation of complex AI and machine learning solutions for diverse business needs. You will bridge the gap between business requirements and technical execution, translating strategic goals into actionable AI architectures. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of various AI/ML methodologies, data pipelines, cloud infrastructure, and deployment strategies. You will work closely with data scientists, engineers, and business stakeholders to ensure successful delivery of AI-powered projects. This is a fantastic opportunity to lead the architectural vision for AI initiatives in a growing market.

Key Responsibilities

• Design end-to-end AI/ML solutions, from data ingestion to model deployment and monitoring.
• Evaluate and recommend appropriate AI technologies, frameworks, and platforms.
• Collaborate with data scientists and engineers to translate business problems into technical solutions.
• Define data strategy, data governance, and data quality standards for AI projects.
• Oversee the development and implementation of machine learning models and algorithms.
• Ensure solutions are scalable, reliable, and cost-effective.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to project teams.
• Develop architectural blueprints and documentation for AI systems.
• Assess and mitigate technical risks associated with AI implementations.
• Stay abreast of emerging AI technologies and industry best practices.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in Data Science, Machine Learning, or AI Engineering roles.
• 3+ years of experience in designing and architecting AI/ML solutions.
• Proven experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and their AI/ML services.
• Strong understanding of various ML algorithms, statistical modeling, and data mining techniques.
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and data warehousing concepts.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R.
• Excellent understanding of software architecture principles and MLOps.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Experience in stakeholder management and leading technical teams.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and a retirement fund, and opportunities for career advancement. Professional development support, including training and conference attendance, is provided. This role is based in Queenstown, Eastern Cape , offering a rewarding career in a developing region.