Principal Machine Learning Engineer

Placements24; Rustenburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Equity options

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement savings plan

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

Placements24 invites a seasoned Principal Machine Learning Engineer to join a global AI leader based in Rustenburg, North West, South Africa. You will guide the design, development, and deployment of large-scale ML systems that power real-world business outcomes.

You’ll mentor teams, shape ML roadmaps with product and research, and implement best practices for MLOps, monitoring, and scalable inference. This remote-first role offers flexibility while collaborating closely with the Rustenburg team.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in CS/ML/Statistics or related field.
• 10+ years in ML engineering with production systems.
• Proficiency in Python, Java or C++, and ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras).
• Deep understanding of ML algorithms including deep learning, RL, and ensembles.
• Experience with AWS/Azure/GCP and containers (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Strong CS foundations and software engineering practices.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving.
• Experience with MLOps is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture and implementation of large-scale ML systems and infrastructure.
• Design, train, and deploy advanced ML models for various applications.
• Mentor and guide junior ML engineers and data scientists.
• Collaborate with product management, engineering, and research to define ML roadmaps.
• Optimize ML models for performance, scalability, and production efficiency.
• Establish MLOps and model monitoring best practices.
• Evaluate and integrate new ML technologies and tools.
• Conduct rigorous experimentation and A/B testing.

Skills

Python

Java

C++

TensorFlow

PyTorch

MLOps

Leadership

Communication

Education

Master's/PhD

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in artificial intelligence solutions, is actively seeking a highly experienced and visionary Principal Machine Learning Engineer to join their advanced research and development team. This pivotal role is based in Rustenburg, North West , and offers the exciting opportunity to spearhead the design, development, and deployment of sophisticated machine learning models that drive transformative business outcomes. You will be instrumental in shaping the future of our AI capabilities, tackling complex problems with innovative algorithms and cutting-edge technologies. The ideal candidate is a seasoned professional with a deep technical expertise, a proven ability to lead complex projects, and a passion for delivering scalable, high-impact ML solutions. This is a chance to work with a world-class team on challenging projects and make a significant contribution to the advancement of AI. We foster an environment of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and implementation of large-scale machine learning systems and infrastructure.
• Design, train, and deploy advanced ML models for various applications, including predictive modeling, natural language processing, and computer vision.
• Mentor and guide junior machine learning engineers and data scientists.
• Collaborate closely with product management, engineering, and research teams to define ML roadmaps and deliver impactful solutions.
• Optimize ML models for performance, scalability, and efficiency in production environments.
• Establish best practices for ML development, MLOps, and model monitoring.
• Evaluate and integrate new ML technologies and tools to enhance our capabilities.
• Conduct rigorous experimentation and A/B testing to validate model effectiveness.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• 10+ years of experience in machine learning engineering or related roles, with a strong focus on building production-ready systems.
• Expertise in programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++, and extensive experience with ML frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras).
• Deep understanding of various ML algorithms, including deep learning, reinforcement learning, and ensemble methods.
• Proven experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Strong foundation in data structures, algorithms, and software engineering best practices.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with MLOps principles and tools is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Our client offers an industry-leading compensation package, including a substantial base salary, annual bonus, and equity options.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, along with a generous retirement savings plan, are provided.
• We encourage continuous professional development through access to cutting-edge training, conferences, and research opportunities.
• Our client values work-life balance and offers flexible working arrangements.
• This is a remote-first role, allowing you to work from anywhere in South Africa , but collaboration with the team in Rustenburg, North West is key.

Join a team that is building the future of AI and making a real-world impact.