Remote AI Research Engineer - Reinforcement Learning

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Remote AI Research Engineer specializing in Reinforcement Learning. You will design and evaluate novel RL algorithms, build agents and environments, and push the boundaries of RL in robotics, autonomous systems, and game AI.

This role emphasizes rigorous experimentation and collaboration with a world‑class research team. Requirements include a PhD or Master’s in CS/ML with RL focus, strong Python skills, and experience with TensorFlow or PyTorch, plus RL libraries and

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s in Computer Science, ML, or related quantitative field with a focus on Reinforcement Learning.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing RL algorithms (e.g., Q-learning, Policy Gradients, Actor‑Critic).
• Strong programming skills in Python and DL frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Familiarity with RL libraries (Stable Baselines3, RLlib, TF-Agents) and simulation environments (OpenAI Gym, MuJoCo).

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and development in reinforcement learning algorithms and techniques.
• Design, implement, and test novel RL agents and environments.
• Apply RL to robotics, control, and optimization problems.
• Analyze experimental results and derive insights for algorithm improvement.
• Collaborate with researchers and engineers on joint projects.
• Contribute to publications and presentations at conferences.
• Develop and maintain high‑quality, reproducible code.
• Stay up‑to‑date with RL advancements.
• Mentor junior researchers and interns in RL methodologies.

Skills

Reinforcement Learning

Python programming

Deep Learning frameworks

Math and statistics

Education

PhD in Computer Science / Machine Learning

Master's degree in related field

Tools

Stable Baselines3

RLlib

TF-Agents

OpenAI Gym

MuJoCo

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting‑edge research institution focused on advancing artificial intelligence, is seeking a highly motivated Remote AI Research Engineer specializing in Reinforcement Learning (RL). This is a fully remote position, enabling you to contribute to groundbreaking research from anywhere. You will be responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating novel RL algorithms to solve complex problems in areas such as robotics, autonomous systems, and game AI. This role requires a deep theoretical understanding of RL principles coupled with strong practical engineering skills. You will collaborate closely with a world‑renowned team of researchers and engineers, pushing the frontiers of AI. Your work will involve rigorous experimentation, algorithm design, and contributing to high‑impact publications and projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research and development in reinforcement learning algorithms and techniques.
• Design, implement, and test novel RL agents and environments.
• Apply RL to solve challenging problems in areas like robotics, control systems, and optimization.
• Analyze and interpret experimental results, drawing insights for algorithm improvement.
• Collaborate with other researchers and engineers on joint projects.
• Contribute to scientific publications and presentations at top‑tier conferences.
• Develop and maintain high‑quality, efficient, and reproducible code.
• Stay up‑to‑date with the latest advancements in RL and related fields.
• Mentor junior researchers and interns in RL methodologies.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a related quantitative field with a focus on Reinforcement Learning.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing RL algorithms (e.g., Q-learning, Policy Gradients, Actor-Critic methods).
• Strong programming skills in Python and experience with deep learning frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Familiarity with RL libraries such as Stable Baselines3, RLlib, or TF-Agents.
• Solid understanding of mathematics, statistics, and optimization.
• Experience with simulation environments (e.g., OpenAI Gym, MuJoCo) is highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills suitable for a remote team environment.
• Ability to work independently and manage research projects effectively.

Benefits

This fully remote opportunity offers significant flexibility and work‑life balance. Our client provides a very competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including health, retirement, and wellness programs. You will have access to state‑of‑the‑art research tools and computational resources. Opportunities for professional growth, including attending leading AI conferences and workshops, are readily available. Be part of a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment focused on pushing the boundaries of AI research. Contribute to transformative projects that have a real‑world impact, all while enjoying the freedom of remote work.