Lead AI Engineer - Reinforcement Learning

Placements24; Centurion; Hybrid; ZAR 2,306,000 - 3,129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Remote setup allowance

Flexible hours

Development budget

Cloud computing resources

Remote culture

Health insurance

Career advancement

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a visionary Lead AI Engineer specializing in Reinforcement Learning to drive ambitious RL projects in a remote-first setting. You will lead a talented team of AI engineers, shaping the lifecycle from conceptualization to deployment and optimization.

The role demands deep RL expertise, strong Python ML skills, and a passion for mentoring. You will collaborate with product managers to align research with business goals, stay at the cutting edge of AI advances, and ensure

Qualifications

• 5+ years of AI/ML engineering experience with a focus on RL.
• Proven leadership of technical teams and AI projects.
• Proficiency in Python and ML libraries (TensorFlow, PyTorch, or JAX).

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of sophisticated Reinforcement Learning algorithms and models.
• Architect scalable RL systems capable of handling large datasets and complex decision-making processes.
• Mentor and guide a team of AI engineers, fostering a collaborative and innovative research environment.
• Conduct thorough research into novel RL techniques and their potential applications.
• Oversee the end-to-end deployment of RL solutions, ensuring robustness, efficiency, and scalability.
• Collaborate closely with product managers and stakeholders to define project requirements and ensure alignment with business goals.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation for RL models and systems.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in AI, machine learning, and RL research, and share knowledge with the team.

Skills

Reinforcement Learning

Team leadership

Python

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/AI with RL focus

Tools

Git

CI/CD

Gym

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for a visionary Lead AI Engineer with a specialization in Reinforcement Learning (RL) to spearhead innovative projects in a fully remote capacity. This role offers a unique opportunity to define and implement advanced RL strategies that will drive the next generation of intelligent systems. You will be responsible for leading a team of talented AI engineers, guiding them through the entire lifecycle of RL model development, from conceptualization and experimentation to deployment and ongoing optimization. The ideal candidate is a thought leader in the RL space, passionate about solving complex real-world problems through algorithmic innovation. As a remote-first organization, we foster a culture of autonomy, collaboration, and continuous learning, leveraging state-of-the‑art tools and platforms to ensure seamless teamwork. This position is crucial for advancing our AI capabilities and requires a candidate who can not only excel technically but also inspire and mentor a high-performing team. Join us in shaping the future of AI from anywhere in the world.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of sophisticated Reinforcement Learning algorithms and models.
• Architect scalable RL systems capable of handling large datasets and complex decision‑making processes.
• Mentor and guide a team of AI engineers, fostering a collaborative and innovative research environment.
• Conduct thorough research into novel RL techniques and their potential applications.
• Oversee the end‑to‑end deployment of RL solutions, ensuring robustness, efficiency, and scalability.
• Collaborate closely with product managers and stakeholders to define project requirements and ensure alignment with business goals.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation for RL models and systems.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in AI, machine learning, and RL research, and share knowledge with the team.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field with a focus on Reinforcement Learning.
• 5+ years of professional experience in AI/ML engineering, with a significant portion dedicated to Reinforcement Learning.
• Proven experience in leading technical teams and managing AI projects from conception to completion.
• Deep understanding of RL concepts, including Q‑learning, Policy Gradients, Actor‑Critic methods, and Deep RL algorithms (e.g., DQN, PPO, SAC).
• Proficiency in Python and experience with ML libraries like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or JAX.
• Experience with simulation environments and deploying RL agents in real‑world applications.
• Strong software engineering skills, including experience with version control (Git) and CI/CD pipelines.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, essential for a remote team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems and drive innovation.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance‑based incentives.
• Comprehensive remote work setup allowance.
• Flexible working hours to accommodate different time zones.
• Generous professional development budget for conferences, courses, and certifications.
• Unlimited access to cutting‑edge cloud computing resources.
• Collaborative and forward‑thinking remote work culture.
• Extended health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Opportunities for career advancement and leadership growth.