Lead AI Engineer

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus structure

Health benefits

Stock options

Career growth

Relocation assistance

Pension plan

Extended PTO

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a visionary Lead AI Engineer in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, to drive the company's AI strategy and product roadmap. You will lead a team of AI engineers, architect scalable systems, and own end-to-end delivery from concept to production.

We look for a seasoned leader with 8+ years in AI/ML, strong Python skills, and hands-on experience with TensorFlow or PyTorch, cloud platforms, and MLOps.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in CS/AI/ML; PhD preferred.
• 8+ years in AI/ML with leadership experience.
• Proven track record deploying large-scale AI systems.
• Strong Python and ML framework expertise.
• Experience with cloud and MLOps.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of AI engineers.
• Architect, design, and implement robust AI/ML systems.
• Oversee AI project lifecycles from concept to production.
• Collaborate with product, data science, and engineering teams to define strategy.
• Set technical standards for AI development, testing, and deployment.
• Evaluate new AI technologies, tools, and frameworks.
• Drive innovation with novel AI approaches.
• Ensure performance, reliability, and security of AI systems.
• Communicate technical vision and project status to leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Strategic thinking

Python proficiency

Education

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

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)

MLOps

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly growing tech innovator, is seeking an experienced and visionary Lead AI Engineer to spearhead their AI initiatives in Stellenbosch, Western Cape . This senior role requires a blend of deep technical expertise in AI and machine learning, strong leadership capabilities, and a strategic mindset.

You will be responsible for guiding a team of talented AI engineers, architecting scalable AI systems, and driving the development of cutting-edge AI products.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of successfully delivering complex AI projects and a passion for leveraging artificial intelligence to solve challenging business problems.

This is a critical leadership position offering the opportunity to shape the direction of AI within a dynamic and forward-thinking organization.

Join us and make a significant impact in the heart of the Western Cape's tech hub.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of AI engineers, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.
• Architect, design, and implement robust, scalable, and production-ready AI/ML systems and pipelines.
• Oversee the entire lifecycle of AI projects, from conceptualization and development to deployment and ongoing optimization.
• Collaborate closely with product management, data science, and other engineering teams to define AI strategy and roadmaps.
• Set technical standards and best practices for AI development, including code quality, testing, and deployment.
• Evaluate and integrate new AI technologies, tools, and frameworks.
• Drive innovation by exploring novel AI approaches and solutions.
• Ensure the performance, reliability, and security of AI systems.
• Communicate technical vision and project status to senior management and stakeholders.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in AI/ML engineering, with at least 3 years in a leadership or senior role.
• Proven experience in building and deploying large-scale AI/ML systems in production.
• Expertise in programming languages such as Python, and familiarity with C++ or Java.
• Deep knowledge of machine learning algorithms, deep learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch), and MLOps principles.
• Strong understanding of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and distributed systems.
• Excellent leadership, team management, and communication skills.
• Ability to define technical vision and drive execution.
• Experience with data engineering and pipeline management.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits.
• Generous stock options or equity.
• Significant opportunities for career advancement and professional development.
• A stimulating and innovative work environment in Stellenbosch, Western Cape .
• Relocation assistance may be available.
• Retirement savings plan with company match.
• Extended paid time off.