Lead Machine Learning Engineer (AI Research)

Placements24; Kempton Park; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Performance-based bonuses

Learning opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a visionary Lead Machine Learning Engineer to spearhead AI research in Gauteng. You will drive ML model development from concept to deployment, leading a team of engineers and researchers in a collaborative, results-driven environment.

The ideal candidate combines deep ML expertise with strategic leadership, experience delivering complex AI solutions, and a passion for solving challenging scientific problems.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience leading ML projects/teams.
• Strong knowledge of ML paradigms including deep learning and reinforcement learning.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development and deployment of advanced ML models for scientific applications.
• Oversee ML lifecycle: data collection, preprocessing, feature engineering, training, evaluation and deployment.
• Mentor and guide ML engineers and data scientists.
• Collaborate with researchers and software engineers to translate business needs into technical solutions.
• Research new ML techniques and assess applicability to challenges.
• Develop and maintain robust ML infrastructure and tooling for efficient development.
• Present findings and progress to stakeholders and senior management.
• Ensure scalability, reliability and performance of deployed ML models.
• Champion MLOps best practices, versioning and CI/CD for ML systems.

Skills

Leadership

Python

Machine Learning

Deep Learning

Reinforcement Learning

Communication

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/AI/ML

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

Spark

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

About the Role

Our client is actively seeking a visionary Lead Machine Learning Engineer to spearhead their artificial intelligence research division, located in the vibrant hub of Tembisa, Gauteng . This pivotal role involves driving innovation in ML model development, from conceptualization through to deployment, with a strong emphasis on pushing the boundaries of what's possible in AI-driven scientific discovery. You will lead a team of talented engineers and researchers, fostering a collaborative and results-oriented environment. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of ML algorithms, a proven track record in delivering complex AI solutions, and a passion for solving challenging scientific problems. This position requires hands-on expertise and strategic leadership, contributing significantly to our client's ambitious research and development goals in the heart of Gauteng .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced machine learning models and algorithms for scientific applications.
• Oversee the entire ML lifecycle, including data collection, preprocessing, feature engineering, model training, evaluation, and deployment.
• Mentor and guide a team of machine learning engineers and data scientists, fostering technical growth and project success.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including research scientists and software engineers, to define project requirements and translate business needs into technical solutions.
• Conduct rigorous research into new ML techniques and technologies, assessing their applicability to our client's challenges.
• Develop and maintain robust ML infrastructure and tooling to support efficient model development and deployment.
• Present research findings and project progress to stakeholders, including senior management and technical teams.
• Ensure the scalability, reliability, and performance of deployed ML models.
• Champion best practices in MLOps, model versioning, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) for ML systems.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related quantitative field.
• Extensive experience (7+ years) in machine learning engineering, with a significant portion focused on leading projects and teams.
• Deep expertise in various ML paradigms, including deep learning, reinforcement learning, and classical ML algorithms.
• Proficiency in Python and ML frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or scikit-learn.
• Strong experience with data processing and analysis, including big data technologies (e.g., Spark).
• Demonstrated ability to architect and deploy production-grade ML systems.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes) is highly desirable.
• Publication record in top-tier ML conferences or journals is a significant plus.

Benefits

Our client provides a highly competitive remuneration package, extensive health and wellness benefits, performance-based bonuses, and generous opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement. You will have access to cutting-edge research resources, a stimulating and innovative work environment, and the chance to shape the future of AI in scientific research. The role is based in Tembisa, Gauteng , offering a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of technological innovation.