Principal AI Solutions Architect

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive compensation package

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement savings plan

Professional development opportunities

Durban office with amenities

Career progression to leadership

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal AI Solutions Architect to lead the design and execution of scalable AI/ML solutions from Durban. The role blends deep technical expertise with strong business acumen to translate client needs into robust AI strategies.

You will guide engineering and data science teams, ensure production-grade systems, and contribute to pre-sales with architectural proposals. This senior position requires exceptional leadership and vision in emerging technologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in CS/Engineering or related field; PhD preferred.
• 10+ years in software architecture, 5+ years AI/ML focus.
• Deep understanding of ML algorithms and data science methods.
• Experience with cloud AI/ML services (AWS/Azure/GCP).
• Proficient in Python, Java, or Scala; strong data engineering skills.
• Experience with Spark/Hadoop and data warehousing.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and architecture of end-to-end AI/ML solutions.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define requirements and translate to technical specs.
• Evaluate AI/ML technologies, tools, and platforms.
• Develop proofs-of-concept to demonstrate value of AI solutions.
• Provide technical leadership to engineering and data science teams.
• Ensure scalability, reliability, and performance of AI systems.
• Define best practices for AI model development and MLOps.
• Stay current with AI trends and present designs to stakeholders.
• Contribute to pre-sales with technical proposals.

Skills

AI/ML architecture

Cloud platforms

Programming (Python/Java/Scala)

MLOps

Data privacy & security

Communication & stakeholder mgmt

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

PhD (preferred)

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

Spark

Hadoop

Data warehousing

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a recognized leader in the AI & Emerging Technologies landscape, is seeking a highly accomplished Principal AI Solutions Architect to join their innovative team based in Durban . This senior role is responsible for designing and overseeing the implementation of complex AI-driven solutions for a diverse clientele. You will translate business requirements into robust technical strategies, leveraging cutting-edge AI/ML technologies. This is a strategic position that requires a blend of deep technical expertise, strong business acumen, and exceptional leadership skills. You will work at the intersection of business strategy and advanced technology, driving the adoption of AI to solve critical business challenges and unlock new opportunities. The successful candidate will be a visionary thinker, capable of architecting scalable and efficient AI systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and architecture of end-to-end AI and machine learning solutions.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to understand their needs and define technical requirements.
• Evaluate and select appropriate AI/ML technologies, tools, and platforms.
• Develop proofs-of-concept and prototypes to demonstrate the value of AI solutions.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to engineering and data science teams.
• Ensure the scalability, reliability, and performance of deployed AI solutions.
• Define best practices for AI model development, deployment, and MLOps.
• Stay current with emerging AI technologies and industry trends.
• Present architectural designs and technical strategies to stakeholders at all levels.
• Contribute to pre-sales activities, including technical solution proposals.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; Ph.D. preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in software architecture, with at least 5 years focused on AI/ML solutions.
• Deep understanding of various machine learning algorithms, deep learning architectures, and data science methodologies.
• Extensive experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and their AI/ML services.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or Scala.
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and data warehousing solutions.
• Proven ability to design and implement large-scale, production-grade AI systems.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with MLOps practices and tools is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of data privacy and security principles in AI systems.

Benefits

• Our client offers an executive-level compensation package, including a substantial base salary, performance-based bonuses, and stock options.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance are provided, along with a generous retirement savings plan.
• Employees benefit from extensive professional development opportunities, including support for advanced certifications and conference attendance.
• Enjoy a dynamic and collaborative work environment in our modern Durban office, with access to excellent amenities.
• This role has a clear career progression path to senior leadership positions.
• Join a company that is at the forefront of technological innovation and offers a challenging yet rewarding career.