Principal AI Engineer - Reinforcement Learning

Placements24; Randfontein; Remote; ZAR 2,501,000 - 3,501,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote stipend

Health, dental, vision insurance

Retirement plan

Professional development budget

Flexible working hours

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal AI Engineer to lead RL research and development in a fully remote role. You will design, implement, and deploy cutting-edge RL algorithms, collaborating with a global team of researchers and engineers. The position offers flexibility, strong mentorship, and opportunities to influence AI strategy across projects.

You will guide junior engineers, publish findings, and ensure scalable, efficient RL systems with robust evaluation methods in diverse environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the research and development of advanced Reinforcement Learning algorithms for real-world applications.
• Design, implement, and optimize RL models for simulation and deployment in complex, dynamic environments.
• Develop robust training methodologies and evaluation frameworks for RL agents.
• Collaborate remotely with cross-functional teams to understand requirements and deliver AI-driven solutions.
• Contribute significantly to the company’s technical strategy and intellectual property in RL.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers and researchers in a remote setting.
• Publish technical documentation, research papers, and present findings to internal and external audiences.
• Ensure the scalability, efficiency, and reliability of deployed RL systems.

Job description

About the Role

This is a fully remote, Principal AI Engineer position for our client, a global leader in developing sophisticated AI solutions for complex industrial challenges. The role is focused on Reinforcement Learning (RL) and will involve designing, implementing, and deploying cutting-edge RL algorithms to optimize critical systems. You will work independently and collaboratively with a distributed team of world-class researchers and engineers. This position offers unparalleled flexibility and the opportunity to work from anywhere, contributing to projects that drive significant advancements in automation and efficiency. Our client is dedicated to creating an inclusive and dynamic remote work environment, providing all necessary resources and support for success. As a Principal Engineer, you will be a key technical leader, influencing the direction of RL research and application within the company, and mentoring other engineers remotely. This role is for an individual who thrives on solving challenging problems and is passionate about the potential of AI.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the research and development of advanced Reinforcement Learning algorithms for real-world applications.
• Design, implement, and optimize RL models for simulation and deployment in complex, dynamic environments.
• Develop robust training methodologies and evaluation frameworks for RL agents.
• Collaborate remotely with cross-functional teams to understand requirements and deliver AI-driven solutions.
• Contribute significantly to the company's technical strategy and intellectual property in the field of RL.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers and researchers in a remote setting.
• Author technical documentation, research papers, and present findings to internal and external audiences.
• Ensure the scalability, efficiency, and reliability of deployed RL systems.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or equivalent research experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, or a related field.
• Extensive experience (7+ years) in developing and deploying Reinforcement Learning systems.
• Deep understanding of RL algorithms (e.g., Q-learning, Policy Gradients, Actor-Critic methods) and their theoretical underpinnings.
• Proficiency in Python and relevant ML/RL libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Ray RLlib, OpenAI Gym).
• Experience with simulation environments and multi-agent systems is a strong plus.
• Proven ability to lead complex technical projects and mentor team members remotely.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, adapted for remote collaboration.
• Track record of publications in top-tier AI conferences or journals is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, a comprehensive remote work stipend, and excellent health, dental, and vision insurance.
• A generous retirement savings plan is provided.
• Professional development opportunities are supported through an annual budget for online courses, conferences, and certifications.
• Employees enjoy flexible working hours and the autonomy to manage their workload effectively.
• While this is a remote role, our client fosters a strong virtual community through regular online meetings, social events, and dedicated communication channels.
• You will work with a globally distributed, highly skilled team on challenging and impactful projects in the AI space, offering significant opportunities for professional growth and technical leadership.