Lead Machine Learning Engineer (AI Solutions)

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus program

Medical aid and retirement fund

Professional development budget

Conference opportunities

State-of-the-art computing resources

Relocation assistance may be offered

Job summary

WhatJobs Direct in Cape Town seeks a Lead Machine Learning Engineer to spearhead AI initiatives, guide a team of ML engineers and data scientists, and drive the design, development, and deployment of advanced ML models.

The role requires strategic thinking, hands-on expertise, and the ability to translate business requirements into actionable ML strategies, ensuring ethical AI deployment and scalable infrastructure in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in CS/AI or related quantitative field.
• Extensive experience in developing and deploying production-grade ML models.
• Proficiency in Python and core ML libraries (TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn).
• Strong understanding of ML algorithms: supervised, unsupervised, reinforcement learning.
• Experience with MLOps tools and practices (MLflow, Kubeflow, Docker, Kubernetes).
• Proven experience leading technical teams and managing complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end development lifecycle of ML models from data preprocessing to deployment.
• Design and implement robust MLOps pipelines for CI/CD and monitoring in production.
• Mentor and guide ML engineers and data scientists.
• Collaborate with product, engineering and business units to identify AI opportunities.
• Stay updated on latest ML research and apply innovative solutions.
• Develop and maintain scalable ML infrastructure and platforms.

Skills

Team leadership

ML model deployment

Python

TensorFlow

PyTorch

MLOps

Data analysis

Stakeholder comms

Cloud platforms

Education

PhD in CS/AI

Tools

MLflow

Kubeflow

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

About the Role

Our client, WhatJobs Direct, is seeking an accomplished Lead Machine Learning Engineer to spearhead AI initiatives from their prestigious **Cape Town, Western Cape** office. This senior position involves leading the design, development, and deployment of sophisticated machine learning models and AI-driven solutions that address complex business challenges. You will be at the forefront of innovation, guiding a team of talented engineers and data scientists to push the boundaries of artificial intelligence. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of ML algorithms, a passion for solving real-world problems with data, and proven leadership capabilities. This role demands strategic thinking, hands-on technical expertise, and the ability to translate business requirements into actionable ML strategies. You will play a critical role in shaping our client's AI roadmap, ensuring the successful integration of ML solutions into their product suite and operational processes. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team where cutting-edge research meets practical application.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end development lifecycle of machine learning models, from data preprocessing and feature engineering to model training, evaluation, and deployment.
• Design and implement robust MLOps pipelines for continuous integration, delivery, and monitoring of ML models in production.
• Mentor and guide a team of ML engineers and data scientists, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across product, engineering, and business units to identify opportunities for AI and ML integration.
• Research and stay abreast of the latest advancements in machine learning, deep learning, and AI to identify and implement innovative solutions.
• Develop and maintain scalable ML infrastructure and platforms.
• Ensure the ethical and responsible development and deployment of AI systems.
• Conduct rigorous testing and validation of models to ensure accuracy, reliability, and performance.
• Present findings, progress, and technical recommendations to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Champion best practices in ML development, reproducibility, and documentation within the **Cape Town, Western Cape** team.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• Extensive experience in developing and deploying production-grade machine learning models.
• Proficiency in Python and core ML libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn, Keras).
• Strong understanding of various ML algorithms, including supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning.
• Experience with MLOps tools and practices (e.g., MLflow, Kubeflow, Docker, Kubernetes).
• Proven experience in leading technical teams and managing complex projects.
• Excellent data manipulation and analysis skills.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and their ML services.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund.
• Generous professional development budget.
• Opportunities to present at conferences.
• Collaborative work environment with industry leaders.
• Focus on work-life balance.
• On-site amenities and social events.
• Relocation assistance may be considered for exceptional candidates.
• Access to state-of-the-art computing resources.