Principal Machine Learning Engineer - NLP

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

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based incentives

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Professional development budget

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal ML Engineer specialized in NLP to lead the design, development, and deployment of state-of-the-art NLP models in Durban. You will architect scalable systems and guide projects end-to-end.

The role requires a Masters or PhD in a relevant field, 10+ years of ML experience with NLP focus, and proficiency in Python and frameworks like PyTorch or TensorFlow. Mentoring teammates and shaping AI strategy are key aspects.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in CS/AI with NLP focus.
• 10+ years of machine learning experience with NLP.
• Experience deploying production NLP systems.
• Strong Python and ML framework skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement state-of-the-art NLP models for tasks such as text classification, sentiment analysis, named entity recognition, machine translation, and question answering.
• Lead the end-to-end machine learning lifecycle, including data collection, feature engineering, model training, evaluation, and deployment.
• Architect scalable and robust machine learning systems for NLP applications.
• Collaborate with data scientists, software engineers, and product managers to define project scope and deliver effective solutions.
• Mentor and guide junior machine learning engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning.
• Stay current with the latest research and advancements in NLP and deep learning, identifying opportunities for innovation.

Skills

NLP expertise

Python programming

PyTorch / TensorFlow

Leadership

Mentoring

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in CS/AI/NLP

Tools

NLTK

spaCy

Hugging Face Transformers

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a trailblazer in AI & Emerging Technologies, is actively seeking a highly accomplished Principal Machine Learning Engineer specializing in Natural Language Processing (NLP) to join their esteemed team in Durban. This senior position is designed for an individual who is passionate about leveraging AI to solve intricate language-related problems. You will play a crucial role in architecting, developing, and deploying sophisticated NLP models that power innovative applications. This role demands a deep understanding of NLP techniques, strong coding abilities, and a proven history of delivering impactful solutions. You will work alongside a team of brilliant minds in our Durban office, contributing to projects that redefine industry standards. This is a fantastic opportunity to lead significant initiatives and influence the strategic direction of AI development.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement state-of-the-art NLP models for tasks such as text classification, sentiment analysis, named entity recognition, machine translation, and question answering.
• Lead the end-to-end machine learning lifecycle, including data collection, feature engineering, model training, evaluation, and deployment.
• Architect scalable and robust machine learning systems for NLP applications.
• Collaborate with data scientists, software engineers, and product managers to define project scope and deliver effective solutions.
• Mentor and guide junior machine learning engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning.
• Stay current with the latest research and advancements in NLP and deep learning, identifying opportunities for innovation.
• Contribute to the strategic planning and roadmap for NLP initiatives within the company.
• Optimize model performance and resource utilization for production systems.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Linguistics, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field with a focus on NLP.
• 10+ years of professional experience in machine learning, with a significant focus on NLP.
• Expertise in NLP techniques, including transformers, LSTMs, word embeddings, and language modeling.
• Proficiency in Python and deep learning frameworks like PyTorch, TensorFlow, or Keras.
• Experience with NLP libraries such as NLTK, spaCy, or Hugging Face Transformers.
• Strong understanding of software development best practices, including version control (Git) and testing.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to lead complex technical projects and mentor team members.

Benefits

• Exceptional salary package and performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous professional development budget for conferences, workshops, and certifications.
• Company-sponsored retirement plan.
• Collaborative and intellectually stimulating work environment in Durban.
• Opportunity to shape the future of NLP technologies.
• Paid time off and company holidays.