Principal AI Engineer - Generative AI Research

Placements24; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Industry-leading salary

Stock options

Research funding

Health, dental, vision insurance

On-site facilities

Job summary

Placements24 in Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa, seeks a Distinguished Principal AI Engineer with a PhD and a strong generative AI research background to lead our in-person AI team.

You will drive research initiatives in LLMs, diffusion models, and related generative techniques, publish findings, mentor researchers, and translate breakthroughs into production-ready AI solutions within a state-of-the-art facility.

Qualifications

• PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or related field.
• Extensive (8+ years) research experience in AI/ML, with focus on generative models.
• Track record of publications, patents, or open-source contributions.
• Strong knowledge of DL frameworks and Python scientific stack.

Responsibilities

• Lead research in generative AI (LLMs, diffusion, GANs) and related architectures.
• Publish findings at top conferences and journals; present at events.
• Mentor junior researchers and guide engineers on research projects.
• Translate research breakthroughs into production-ready AI systems.

Skills

Research leadership

Mentorship

Problem solving

Communication

Education

PhD in CS/AI/ML

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in applied AI, is seeking a distinguished Principal AI Engineer with a strong background in Generative AI Research to join their esteemed team in Randburg, Gauteng, ZA. This role is based in our state-of-the-art facility, offering an unparalleled opportunity to conduct advanced research and development in a collaborative, in-person environment. You will be responsible for pioneering new approaches in generative models, leading research initiatives, and translating cutting-edge discoveries into impactful AI solutions. This position is ideal for a visionary leader passionate about shaping the future of artificial intelligence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead research and development efforts in generative AI, focusing on large language models (LLMs), diffusion models, GANs, and other advanced generative techniques.
• Design and implement novel algorithms and architectures for creating diverse and high-quality AI-generated content (text, images, code, etc.).
• Conduct rigorous theoretical and empirical studies to advance the state-of-the-art in generative AI.
• Collaborate with a team of world-class researchers and engineers to drive innovation and deliver production-ready AI systems.
• Publish findings in top-tier academic conferences and journals, and represent the company at industry events.
• Mentor and guide junior researchers and engineers, fostering a culture of scientific excellence.
• Evaluate and integrate cutting-edge AI research into the company's product roadmap.
• Stay ahead of the curve on emerging trends and technologies in AI and machine learning.
• Contribute to the strategic vision and technical direction of the AI research group.

Requirements

• PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a closely related field.
• Extensive (8+ years) research experience in AI/ML, with a significant focus on generative models.
• Demonstrated track record of impactful research through publications, patents, or significant open-source contributions.
• Expert-level knowledge of deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow) and their application to generative models.
• Proficiency in Python and relevant scientific computing libraries.
• Deep understanding of mathematical concepts underlying modern AI, including probability, statistics, and optimization.
• Experience leading research projects and mentoring team members.
• Exceptional problem-solving abilities and a creative approach to research challenges.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas effectively.

Benefits

• Industry-leading salary and comprehensive bonus structure.
• Executive-level health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous stock options and long-term incentive plans.
• Significant budget for professional development, conferences, and research activities.
• Access to unparalleled computing resources and proprietary datasets.
• Vibrant and collaborative office environment in Randburg, Gauteng, ZA.
• Opportunities for high-impact research and significant career growth.
• On-site cafeteria, fitness center, and other amenities.