Principal Machine Learning Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Unlimited PTO

Professional development budget

Stock options

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Machine Learning Engineer to lead design, development, and deployment of cutting-edge ML models in a fully remote global team. You will shape ML strategy, mentor engineers, and drive production-ready systems across the ML lifecycle.

The role requires a PhD or Master’s in a quantitative field, 8+ years of ML experience, and strong leadership and cloud-based ML deployment skills.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Statistics, or related quantitative field.
• 8+ years of experience in ML engineering or related field with a proven track record of building and deploying ML systems.
• Expertise in ML algorithms, deep learning frameworks, and classical ML techniques.
• Proficiency in Python with ML libraries (Scikit-learn, Pandas, NumPy).
• Strong understanding of software engineering principles including data structures, algorithms, and system design.
• Experience with MLOps tools and CI/CD for ML, model deployment and monitoring.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and their ML services.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and implementation of advanced ML models and algorithms.
• Develop and maintain production-grade ML pipelines for scalability, reliability, and efficiency.
• Collaborate with data scientists and engineers to translate research into production systems.
• Optimize models for performance, accuracy, and resource use.
• Design data collection, feature engineering, and model validation strategies.
• Deploy models to production and establish monitoring/maintenance processes.
• Mentor junior ML engineers and data scientists.
• Stay current with research in ML, DL, and AI and contribute to roadmaps.

Skills

ML algorithms

Deep learning

Python

ML libraries

MLOps

CI/CD for ML

Cloud platforms

Leadership

Communication

Education

Ph.D. or Master’s in CS/AI/ML/Statistics

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Scikit-learn

Pandas

NumPy

CI/CD

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a trailblazer in artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions, is seeking an exceptional Principal Machine Learning Engineer to join their world-class, fully remote team. This is a senior leadership role where you will drive the design, development, and deployment of cutting-edge machine learning models and systems that solve complex real-world problems. You will be instrumental in shaping the ML strategy, mentoring junior engineers, and contributing to the advancement of our AI capabilities. We are looking for a candidate with a profound understanding of ML algorithms, deep learning frameworks, and the entire ML lifecycle, from data preprocessing to production deployment and monitoring. This role offers the unique opportunity to work on transformative projects, collaborate with leading researchers and engineers, and make a significant impact in the rapidly evolving field of AI. This is a fully remote position, offering maximum flexibility and the chance to work with a global team.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced machine learning models and algorithms. Develop and maintain production-grade ML pipelines, ensuring scalability, reliability, and efficiency. Collaborate with data scientists, researchers, and software engineers to translate research into production systems. Optimize ML models for performance, accuracy, and resource utilization. Design and implement strategies for data collection, feature engineering, and model validation. Deploy ML models into production environments and establish robust monitoring and maintenance processes. Mentor and guide junior machine learning engineers and data scientists. Stay current with the latest research and advancements in machine learning, deep learning, and AI. Contribute to the ML technology roadmap and architectural decisions. Champion best practices in MLOps, model governance, and ethical AI development.

Requirements

Ph.D. or Master's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Statistics, or a related quantitative field. 8+ years of experience in machine learning engineering or a related field, with a proven track record of building and deploying ML systems. Expertise in ML algorithms, deep learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch), and classical ML techniques. Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, with extensive experience in ML libraries (e.g., Scikit-learn, Pandas, NumPy). Strong understanding of software engineering principles, including data structures, algorithms, and system design. Experience with MLOps tools and practices, including CI/CD for ML, model deployment, and monitoring. Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and their ML services. Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills. Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration abilities.

Benefits

Our client offers an exceptional compensation package, including a top-tier salary, significant performance bonuses, and lucrative stock options. Benefits include comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, a generous retirement savings plan, and unlimited paid time off. We provide a substantial budget for professional development, including attending leading AI/ML conferences and pursuing advanced certifications. This fully remote position offers unparalleled flexibility and the opportunity to work on groundbreaking AI initiatives with a globally distributed, talented team. Join a company that is at the forefront of AI innovation and offers significant opportunities for career growth and impact.