Lead Machine Learning Engineer

Placements24; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 1,100,000 - 1,700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical and dental cover

Generous leave and holidays

Professional development opportunities

State-of-the-art tools

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Machine Learning Engineer in Midrand to spearhead advanced ML initiatives. You will guide a team through the full ML lifecycle—from data prep to deployment—aligning with product goals and platform architecture.

The ideal candidate has a strong hands-on background, 6+ years in ML, and proven leadership. Expect a competitive, performance-driven environment with access to leading tools and cloud services.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related field.
• 6+ years of hands-on machine learning engineering experience.
• Experience leading technical teams and ML projects.
• Expertise in Python and ML libraries such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras and scikit-learn.
• Experience with cloud ML services (AWS, Azure, GCP) and MLOps.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced machine learning models and algorithms.
• Manage and mentor a team of machine learning engineers, fostering technical excellence.
• Oversee the data pipeline for quality and efficient model training.
• Implement and optimize MLOps for deployment, monitoring, and lifecycle management.
• Collaborate with product managers to define ML roadmaps and deliverables.
• Conduct model evaluation and validation to ensure performance and reliability.
• Research and evaluate new ML technologies, tools, and methodologies.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex ML and infrastructure issues.
• Contribute to architectural design of AI systems and platforms.
• Champion best practices in ML engineering and software development.

Skills

Team leadership

Mentor engineers

Strategic thinking

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Master's degree in CS/Statistics/Math

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Keras

scikit-learn

MLflow

Kubeflow

AWS

Azure

GCP

CI/CD for ML

Job description

About the Role

Our client is at the forefront of AI and Emerging Technologies, and they are looking for an experienced Lead Machine Learning Engineer to spearhead their advanced development initiatives. Based in Midrand, Gauteng , this role is crucial for driving the innovation and implementation of sophisticated machine learning models that power our client's next-generation products and services. You will lead a team of talented engineers, guiding them through the entire machine learning lifecycle, from conceptualization and data preparation to model training, evaluation, and deployment. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with a deep technical background in machine learning, a passion for solving complex problems, and a proven ability to lead and mentor engineering teams. This position offers an exciting career path for an ambitious professional looking to make a significant impact in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced machine learning models and algorithms.
• Manage and mentor a team of machine learning engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and collaboration.
• Oversee the data pipeline, ensuring data quality, integrity, and efficient processing for model training.
• Implement and optimize MLOps practices for robust model deployment, monitoring, and lifecycle management.
• Collaborate with product managers and other engineering teams to define ML project roadmaps and deliverables.
• Conduct rigorous model evaluation and validation to ensure performance and reliability.
• Research and evaluate new machine learning technologies, tools, and methodologies.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues related to ML models and infrastructure.
• Contribute to the architectural design of AI systems and platforms.
• Champion best practices in machine learning engineering and software development.

Requirements

• Master's degree or equivalent in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related field.
• At least 6 years of hands-on experience in machine learning engineering.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical teams and managing ML projects.
• Expertise in Python and common ML libraries/frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras, and scikit-learn.
• Strong understanding of statistical modeling, data mining, and predictive analytics.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and their ML services.
• Proficiency in MLOps tools and methodologies (e.g., MLflow, Kubeflow, CI/CD for ML).
• Excellent programming skills and experience with software development best practices.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication and leadership skills.
• Experience with big data technologies is a plus.

Benefits

• Attractive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous annual leave and public holidays.
• Professional development opportunities, including conferences and training.
• Access to state-of-the-art technology and tools.
• A dynamic and supportive team environment.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Company-sponsored social events.