Principal Machine Learning Engineer (Computer Vision)

Placements24; George; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Generous leave policy

Job summary

Placements24 in George, Western Cape, seeks a Principal Machine Learning Engineer (Computer Vision) to lead, design and deploy state‑of‑the‑art ML models. You will architect robust pipelines for data processing, training and deployment while mentoring senior and junior engineers and shaping the AI direction of the company.

The role requires a Ph.D./M.S. in CS/ML/AI, 8+ years of hands‑on CV ML experience, and a proven production track record.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s in Computer Science, ML, AI or related field.
• 8+ years hands-on ML engineering experience with CV focus.
• Proven track record in production‑grade ML models.
• Expertise with TF, PyTorch or Keras.
• Python proficiency with OpenCV and scikit‑learn.
• Cloud platforms and MLOps experience.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Publications in top ML/CV venues are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development and implementation of advanced ML models for computer vision.
• Architect scalable ML pipelines for data processing, training and deployment.
• Research new ML algorithms to drive innovation and improvement.
• Mentor and guide a team of ML engineers toward project success.
• Collaborate with product managers and engineers to define requirements.
• Optimize model performance for production speed and accuracy.
• Stay updated on CV/ML advances and share findings with the team.
• Contribute to AI strategy and the division’s technical roadmap.
• Uphold best practices in code quality, testing and MLOps.

Skills

ML engineering experience

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Experience mentoring

8+ years

Education

Ph.D./Master's in CS/ML/AI

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Keras

OpenCV

Scikit-learn

Job description

About the Role

Join a pioneering technology firm in George, Western Cape , as a Principal Machine Learning Engineer specializing in Computer Vision. Our client is at the vanguard of developing AI-powered solutions for complex real-world problems. This senior position offers an exceptional opportunity to lead innovative projects, mentor junior engineers, and drive the technical direction of our computer vision initiatives. You will be responsible for designing, developing, and deploying state-of-the‑art machine learning models that push the boundaries of what's possible. The role demands a deep technical expertise, a passion for cutting‑edge research, and the ability to translate theoretical concepts into practical, scalable applications. As a Principal Engineer, you will play a crucial role in shaping our AI strategy, fostering a culture of technical excellence, and contributing to the company's growth and success. If you are driven by innovation and possess a strong track record in machine learning and computer vision, this is the ideal opportunity for you to make a significant impact in a challenging and rewarding environment. The role is based in our modern facilities in George, Western Cape .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced machine learning models for computer vision tasks, including object detection, image segmentation, and facial recognition.
• Architect and build robust, scalable, and efficient ML pipelines for data processing, model training, and deployment.
• Conduct thorough research into new ML algorithms and techniques to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement.
• Mentor and guide a team of talented ML engineers, fostering their technical growth and project success.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including product managers and software engineers, to define project requirements and deliver high‑quality solutions.
• Optimize model performance, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and scalability for production environments.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in computer vision and machine learning research, publishing findings and presenting at conferences where appropriate.
• Contribute to the technical roadmap and strategic direction of the AI division.
• Ensure best practices in code quality, testing, and MLOps are followed throughout the development locus.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, or a related quantitative field.
• 8+ years of hands‑on experience in machine learning engineering, with a strong specialization in computer vision.
• Proven track record of successfully designing, developing, and deploying production‑grade ML models.
• Expertise in deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Keras.
• Proficiency in programming languages like Python and experience with ML libraries (e.g., OpenCV, Scikit‑learn).
• Strong understanding of computer vision algorithms, image processing techniques, and their practical applications.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and MLOps practices.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and lead complex technical projects.
• Publications in top‑tier ML/CV conferences are a significant advantage.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, performance‑based bonuses, and comprehensive benefits including medical aid, a provident fund, and a generous leave policy. Employees have access to state‑of‑the‑art research facilities, opportunities for continuous professional development, and the chance to work on groundbreaking projects. The role is based in George, Western Cape , providing a unique work‑life balance in a beautiful region.