Principal AI Engineer - Deep Learning

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 4,399,000 - 6,430,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive-level compensation

Bonuses/Stock options

Health, dental, vision insurance

Generous paid time off

Budget for development and conferences

Fully remote with strong support

Retirement savings plan

Wellness programs

Global collaboration

Impact on AI advancements

Dedicated remote employee support

Research opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Principal AI Engineer (Deep Learning) to lead design and deployment of cutting-edge DL models in a fully remote team. The ideal candidate has a PhD or equivalent, 10+ years in AI/ML, and a track record of research and production-ready systems.

You will mentor engineers, drive architectural decisions, and collaborate with research scientists to push AI innovations globally. Strong communication and leadership are essential for a remote-first environment.

Qualifications

• PhD or MSc in CS/AI/ML or related quantitative field.
• 10+ years in AI/ML engineering with emphasis on deep learning.
• Proven ability to design and implement complex models (CNNs, RNNs, Transformers, GANs).
• Proficiency in Python and frameworks like TF, PyTorch, or JAX.
• Experience with distributed training and large-scale deployment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of advanced deep learning models and systems.
• Architect scalable DL solutions for large-scale data problems.
• Research and experiment with novel DL architectures and algorithms.
• Optimize models for performance, accuracy, and efficiency.
• Mentor junior AI engineers and researchers.

Skills

Deep learning

Python

TensorFlow

PyTorch

JAX

Distributed training

Model deployment

Mentoring

Cloud platforms

Education

PhD in CS/AI/ML

Master’s in a related field

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

JAX

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a world-renowned leader in AI research and development, is seeking an exceptional Principal AI Engineer focusing on Deep Learning to join their pioneering, fully remote team. This senior role is pivotal in driving the innovation and implementation of advanced deep learning models and architectures that address some of the most complex challenges in the field. You will be responsible for leading the design, development, and optimization of cutting-edge deep learning solutions, pushing the boundaries of performance and scalability. The ideal candidate will possess a Ph.D. or equivalent experience, a stellar publication record, and extensive hands-on expertise in state-of-the-art deep learning techniques. This is a unique opportunity to work alongside industry-leading experts in a highly collaborative and intellectually stimulating remote environment. We are looking for a technical leader with a proven ability to mentor teams, architect complex systems, and deliver impactful AI innovations. Your work will directly influence the future direction of AI products and research. The role requires a deep theoretical understanding combined with exceptional practical engineering skills to translate novel research into robust, production-ready systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced deep learning models and systems.
• Architect scalable and efficient deep learning solutions for large-scale data problems.
• Conduct research and experimentation on novel deep learning architectures and algorithms.
• Optimize deep learning models for performance, accuracy, and computational efficiency.
• Collaborate with research scientists and engineers to translate research into production-ready solutions.
• Mentor and guide junior AI engineers and researchers.
• Stay at the forefront of deep learning research and advancements, identifying opportunities for innovation.
• Contribute to the overall technical strategy and roadmap for AI development.
• Develop and maintain best practices for deep learning development and deployment.
• Present technical findings and recommendations to senior leadership and stakeholders.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in AI/ML engineering, with a strong emphasis on deep learning.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing complex deep learning models (e.g., CNNs, RNNs, Transformers, GANs).
• Proficiency in Python and deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or JAX.
• Experience with distributed training and large-scale model deployment.
• Strong understanding of relevant mathematical and statistical concepts.
• Proven ability to lead technical projects and mentor teams.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and algorithmic thinking skills.
• Outstanding communication and collaboration skills, essential for a remote-first environment.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and MLOps practices is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Executive-level compensation package, including base salary and significant bonuses/stock options.
• Top-tier comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Abundant paid time off and flexible holiday policies.
• Substantial budget for professional development, conferences, and research.
• Fully remote work arrangement with excellent support and resources.
• Opportunity to work on groundbreaking AI research and development.
• Highly collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment.
• Generous retirement savings plan with maximum employer contribution.
• Wellness programs and dedicated support for remote employees.
• Influence on cutting-edge AI advancements with global impact.