Lead Machine Learning Ops (Mlops) Engineer

Absa Group; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior MLOps Engineer to enhance their data science capabilities. This role offers the chance to design and implement cutting-edge machine learning operations solutions on AWS and Databricks, ensuring effective deployment and maintenance of AI models. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, providing technical leadership and fostering best practices in MLOps. Join a dynamic and innovative environment where your contributions will significantly impact the company's success and help shape the future of banking in Africa.

Benefits

Competitive salaries

Comprehensive benefits

Professional growth opportunities

Dynamic work environment

Qualifications

• 7+ years in data engineering or MLOps roles with a focus on AWS.
• Strong understanding of MLOps practices, CI/CD, and model deployment.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain MLOps solutions on AWS/Databricks.
• Implement pipelines for deploying machine learning models.

Skills

Machine Learning

Data Engineering

AWS Cloud Services

Problem-Solving

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology

Tools

AWS Glue

AWS Lambda

Amazon S3

Amazon SageMaker

Databricks

Python

PySpark

Spark

GitHub

Job description

Lead Machine Learning Ops (MLOPs) Engineer

Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together…one story at a time.

With over 100 years of rich history and strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey, to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group.

Job Summary

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Software Development, Engineering, or a related field.

Minimum 7 years of post-graduate experience in a data engineering or MLOps role.

Minimum 4 years’ experience working with AWS cloud services or Databricks.

Minimum AWS Solutions Architect Associate certification.

AWS Machine Learning specialty certification is preferred.

Proficiency in machine learning, data engineering, and cloud-based architectures.

Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Strong communication and leadership skills.

Job Description

About Us:

Absa, a premier financial services provider in Africa, prides itself on innovation and excellence in the banking sector. In our Product Solutions cluster, we are dedicated to creating forward-thinking products and services tailored to the diverse needs of our clients.

We are currently seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior MLOps Engineer to join our data science team. The successful candidate will be an integral part of this cluster, specifically supporting the Vehicle and Asset Finance Data Science and Analytics team.

Role Overview:

As a Senior MLOps Engineer, you will play a crucial role in the deployment and maintenance of machine learning and AI solutions developed by our data science team. This role requires a unique blend of deep technical knowledge and practical experience in data engineering, machine learning operations (MLOps), and AWS cloud services, along with strong interpersonal, problem-solving and leadership skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, implement and maintain MLOPs solutions on cloud (AWS/Databricks).
• Implement and manage MLOps pipelines to streamline the deployment of machine learning models in cloud (AWS/Databricks).
• Develop and maintain reusable feature stores, robust data architectures, and efficient data engineering practices.
• Data science model review, code refactoring and optimization, containerization, deployment, versioning, and monitoring of its quality.
• Work closely with risk and governance teams to ensure compliance and security in cloud environments (AWS/Databricks).
• Establish and enforce best practices and standards for MLOps within the cluster.
• Provide technical leadership and coaching to junior team members.
• Coordinate cross-functionally with various technical teams to facilitate the integration of AI solutions into business processes.
• Continuously monitor and optimize the performance of deployed machine learning solutions.
• Meaningfully contribute to & ensure solutions align to the design & direction of the group architecture, cloud governance, data standards, principles, preferences & practices. Short term deployment must align to strategic long-term delivery.

Technical skills:

• Strong understanding of MLOps practices and principles, including CI/CD pipelines, version control, and model deployment.
• Ability to design and implement MLOps pipelines in cloud (AWS/Databricks).
• Expertise in machine learning algorithms (frameworks such as scikit-learn, Keras, PyTorch, Tensorflow).
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, PySpark, Spark.
• Familiarity with big data technologies and frameworks (e.g., Hadoop, Spark).
• Hands-on experience with AWS services for data processing such as AWS Glue, AWS Lambda, Amazon S3 and Amazon SageMaker.
• Proficiency in AWS management and deployment tools, including AWS CloudFormation, AWS CLI, AWS CodePipeline, AWS CodeBuild, AWS CodeDeploy, Amazon ECS, Amazon EKS, AWS Step Functions and Github.
• Experience in designing and implementing scalable data architectures.
• Familiarity with building and maintaining feature stores.
• Knowledge of database management, SQL, ETL processes and data warehousing principles.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into understandable terms for non-technical stakeholders.
• Understanding of data security, privacy, and compliance standards relevant to the banking industry.
• Experience coordinating with risk and governance teams to ensure secure and compliant solutions.
• Strong communication skills for effectively collaborating with cross-functional teams and mentoring junior staff.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Software Development, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of post-graduate experience in a data engineering or MLOps role.
• Minimum 4 years’ experience working with AWS/Databricks cloud services.
• Minimum AWS Solutions Architect Associate certification.
• AWS Machine Learning specialty certification is preferred.
• Proficiency in machine learning, data engineering, and cloud-based architectures.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.

Why Join Us:

Absa offers a dynamic and innovative work environment where your contributions will directly impact the company's success. We provide competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth and development.

Ensure that all activities and duties are carried out in full compliance with regulatory requirements, Enterprise Wide Risk Management Framework and Absa Policies and Policy Standards.

Understand and manage risks and risk events (incidents) relevant to the role.

Education

Bachelor's Degree: Information Technology

Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank.

Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised.

About the company

Absa Group Limited, and originally Amalgamated Banks of South Africa, is a South African-based financial services group, offering personal and business banking, credit cards, corporate and investment banking, wealth and investment management.