Lead Generative AI Engineer

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 800,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Medical benefits

Retirement benefits

Training & conferences

Leave & incentives

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA, seeks a Lead Generative AI Engineer to spearhead development and deployment of cutting-edge generative models. Hybrid work blends in-office collaboration with remote flexibility, while you guide a team of AI professionals pushing boundaries in natural language generation and synthetic data creation.

The role emphasizes mentoring, research translation to production, and staying ahead with the latest AI advances.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, AI, Machine Learning, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in AI/ML engineering with a focus on generative models.
• Proven experience with large language models, diffusion models, or GANs.
• Expertise in Python and deep learning frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow).
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and MLOps practices.
• Strong leadership and team management skills with mentoring experience.
• Excellent understanding of machine learning principles, algorithms, and data structures.
• Ability to translate research concepts into production-ready systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of state-of-the-art generative AI models.
• Architect scalable pipelines for training and deploying generative models.
• Collaborate with product teams to identify AI solutions that drive business value.
• Mentor and guide a team of AI engineers and researchers.
• Evaluate and integrate new AI technologies to maintain a competitive edge.
• Oversee fine-tuning of pre-trained models for domain applications.
• Ensure ethical and responsible development of AI systems.
• Conduct rigorous testing and validation of AI models.

Skills

LLMs

Diffusion models

GANs

Python

PyTorch

TensorFlow

MLOps

Cloud platforms

Leadership

Mentoring engineers

Education

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

Kubernetes

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a trailblazer in leveraging advanced AI technologies to revolutionize digital experiences. We are seeking an experienced Lead Generative AI Engineer to spearhead the development and deployment of cutting-edge generative models. This pivotal role is based in Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA, and operates on a hybrid work model, offering a blend of collaborative in-office engagement and flexible remote work. You will be at the forefront of creating novel content, optimizing AI-driven creative processes, and driving innovation in areas like natural language generation and synthetic data creation. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of AI-powered creativity and impact. You will lead a talented team, fostering a culture of experimentation and technical excellence within our advanced AI division.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of state-of-the-art generative AI models (e.g., LLMs, diffusion models, GANs).
• Architect scalable and robust pipelines for training and deploying generative models.
• Collaborate with product teams to identify and implement generative AI solutions that enhance user experience and drive business value.
• Mentor and guide a team of AI engineers and researchers, fostering technical growth and innovation.
• Evaluate and integrate new AI technologies and methodologies to maintain a competitive edge.
• Oversee the fine-tuning and adaptation of pre-trained models for specific domain applications.
• Ensure the ethical and responsible development and deployment of AI systems.
• Conduct rigorous testing and validation of AI models to guarantee performance and reliability.
• Stay current with the latest research trends and advancements in generative AI.
• Contribute to the company's intellectual property through research and patent filings.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, AI, Machine Learning, or a closely related field.
• 5+ years of experience in AI/ML engineering, with a strong focus on generative models.
• Proven experience with large language models (LLMs), diffusion models, or GANs.
• Expertise in Python and deep learning frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow).
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and MLOps practices.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with a track record of mentoring engineers.
• Excellent understanding of machine learning principles, algorithms, and data structures.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex research concepts into production-ready systems.
• Superior problem-solving and analytical abilities.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for cross-functional collaboration.
• Published work in relevant AI conferences or journals is highly desirable.

Benefits

Our client offers a stimulating work environment in the vibrant city of Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA. We provide a highly competitive remuneration package, comprehensive medical and retirement benefits, and significant opportunities for professional growth through training, conferences, and internal knowledge-sharing initiatives. Enjoy the flexibility of our hybrid work model, which balances productive in-office collaboration with the convenience of remote work. We foster a culture of innovation, continuous learning, and work-life balance, offering generous leave policies and performance incentives. Be part of a team that is pushing the boundaries of what's possible with Generative AI.