Principal NLP Engineer - Large Language Models

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

WhatJobs Direct is seeking a Principal NLP Engineer to lead the design, development, and deployment of cutting-edge NLP solutions that leverage large language models. The role emphasizes technical leadership, mentorship, and strategic influence in a remote-first setting.

You will drive research, build robust ML pipelines, fine-tune LLMs, and collaborate with global teams to deliver impactful language AI solutions across industries.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computational Linguistics, or a related field with a specialization in NLP.
• 7+ years of experience in Natural Language Processing with a focus on Large Language Models (e.g., GPT, BERT, T5).
• Proficiency in Python and deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow).
• Deep understanding of tokenization, embeddings, attention mechanisms, and transformer architectures.
• Experience with NLP libraries such as Hugging Face Transformers, spaCy, or NLTK.
• Proven ability to lead complex projects and mentor technical teams.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain complex technical concepts.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a passion for innovation in AI.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and optimization of NLP models, particularly LLMs, for various applications.
• Conduct research into novel NLP techniques and architectures, staying at the forefront of the field.
• Develop and implement robust pipelines for data preprocessing, model training, and evaluation of NLP systems.
• Fine-tune and adapt pre-trained LLMs for specific downstream tasks and domain requirements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate NLP solutions into products and services.
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior NLP engineers and data scientists.
• Author technical documentation, research papers, and present findings to stakeholders.
• Ensure the ethical and responsible development and deployment of NLP technologies.

Skills

NLP expertise

Python

Deep learning

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/Computational Linguistics with NLP specialization

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Hugging Face Transformers

spaCy

NLTK

Job description

About the Role

WhatJobs Direct is seeking a Principal NLP Engineer with expertise in Large Language Models (LLMs) for a fully remote, impactful role. You will spearhead the research, development, and deployment of cutting-edge natural language processing solutions that leverage the power of LLMs. This position requires a deep understanding of NLP techniques, model architectures, and their practical application in solving complex business problems. As a Principal Engineer, you will provide technical leadership, mentor junior team members, and influence the strategic direction of our NLP initiatives. This is a remote-first opportunity, enabling you to contribute from anywhere while collaborating with a dynamic and talented global team. You will be at the forefront of innovation, shaping how businesses interact with language-based AI, driving significant advancements in text analysis, generation, and understanding, supporting the innovative spirit of places like Pretoria, Gauteng, ZA .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and optimization of NLP models, particularly LLMs, for various applications.
• Conduct research into novel NLP techniques and architectures, staying at the forefront of the field.
• Develop and implement robust pipelines for data preprocessing, model training, and evaluation of NLP systems.
• Fine-tune and adapt pre-trained LLMs for specific downstream tasks and domain requirements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate NLP solutions into products and services.
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior NLP engineers and data scientists.
• Author technical documentation, research papers, and present findings to stakeholders.
• Ensure the ethical and responsible development and deployment of NLP technologies.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. degree in Computer Science, Computational Linguistics, or a related field with a specialization in NLP.
• Extensive experience (7+ years) in Natural Language Processing, with a strong focus on Large Language Models (e.g., GPT, BERT, T5).
• Proficiency in Python and deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow).
• Deep understanding of NLP concepts like tokenization, embeddings, attention mechanisms, and transformer architectures.
• Experience with NLP libraries such as Hugging Face Transformers, spaCy, or NLTK.
• Proven ability to lead complex projects and mentor technical teams.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain complex technical concepts.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a passion for innovation in AI.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary, commensurate with your experience and expertise.
• You will receive a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, along with a generous retirement plan.
• We support continuous learning and professional growth through access to online courses, workshops, and virtual conferences.
• As part of our remote-first culture, you'll enjoy significant flexibility and autonomy in your work.
• Our client values innovation and collaboration, providing a stimulating environment that fosters creativity, echoing the potential for technological advancement in regions like Pretoria, Gauteng, ZA .