Lead AI Engineer - Computer Vision

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

PTO (paid time off)

Conference funding

Modern office in Durban

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban seeks a Lead AI Engineer specializing in Computer Vision to drive development of production CV systems and lead a team of engineers and researchers from concept to deployment. You will shape the technical strategy, oversee model development, and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure robust, scalable solutions that meet business needs.

This is a senior, high-impact role in a fast-evolving AI and emerging technologies environment.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in CV-related field required.
• 5+ years of production CV systems experience.
• Proven leadership of AI teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and deployment of computer vision models.
• Mentor AI engineers and researchers.
• Define technical roadmap for CV projects.
• Oversee data collection and preprocessing pipelines.
• Implement and optimize deep learning algorithms.
• Collaborate with product managers to define requirements.
• Validate AI models for performance and reliability.
• Stay updated with CV/AI advancements.

Skills

Python

C++

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Computer Vision

Deep Learning

Leadership

Team management

Cloud platforms

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science / Electrical Engineering with CV focus

Tools

AWS

Azure

ML Ops

Docker

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in the AI & Emerging Technologies space, is actively seeking a highly experienced Lead AI Engineer specializing in Computer Vision to join their innovative team in Durban . This role is critical in driving the development and implementation of advanced computer vision systems that power next-generation applications. You will lead a team of talented engineers and researchers, overseeing the entire lifecycle of AI projects from conception to deployment. The ideal candidate will possess a deep technical expertise in computer vision algorithms, a proven ability to lead teams, and a passion for creating impactful AI solutions. This is a significant opportunity to make a substantial contribution to the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence and shape the future of our client's technological landscape. You will be instrumental in defining the technical strategy and ensuring the successful delivery of complex AI projects, working within a dynamic and collaborative setting in Durban .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of state-of-the-art computer vision models and systems.
• Manage and mentor a team of AI engineers and researchers, fostering technical excellence and collaboration.
• Define the technical roadmap and architecture for computer vision projects, aligning with business objectives.
• Oversee the data collection, annotation, and preprocessing pipelines for training computer vision models.
• Implement and optimize deep learning frameworks and algorithms for image and video analysis.
• Collaborate with product managers and stakeholders to define project requirements and deliverables.
• Conduct rigorous testing and validation of AI models to ensure performance, accuracy, and reliability.
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in computer vision and AI research, and evaluate their potential application.
• Ensure that AI solutions adhere to ethical guidelines and best practices for responsible AI development.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field with a focus on Computer Vision.
• Extensive experience (5+ years) in developing and deploying production-level computer vision systems.
• Strong programming skills in Python, C++, and familiarity with ML libraries like TensorFlow or PyTorch.
• Deep understanding of computer vision fundamentals, including image processing, object detection, segmentation, and tracking.
• Proven experience in leading and managing technical teams.
• Expertise in deep learning architectures for computer vision (CNNs, RNNs, Transformers).
• Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) and MLOps practices.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into actionable plans.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary and bonus structure, commensurate with experience.
• A comprehensive benefits package includes health, dental, and vision insurance, a robust retirement plan, and generous paid time off.
• Opportunities for professional growth are abundant, including funding for conferences, workshops, and advanced training.
• This role provides significant exposure to challenging and impactful projects within the AI & Emerging Technologies domain.
• Employees will enjoy working in a modern office environment in Durban , supporting a culture of innovation and technical excellence.
• Join a team dedicated to advancing the field of computer vision.