Remote Lead Software Engineer - AI/ML

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Highly competitive salary

Stock options or equity

Fully remote with flexible hours

Global health insurance

Generous vacation policy

Professional development budget

Home office setup allowance

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a visionary Lead Software Engineer to spearhead remote AI/ML software initiatives. You will guide design, development and deployment, mentoring engineers across a distributed team to deliver scalable AI products.

Ideal candidates bring 8+ years in software with AI/ML focus, deep systems understanding, and strong leadership. This fully remote role offers flexible hours and global collaboration opportunities.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in software engineering with leadership/management exp.
• Strong AI/ML understanding and distributed systems experience.
• Proficiency in Python, Java, or C++.
• Experience with TensorFlow or PyTorch and cloud platforms.
• Familiarity with Docker/Kubernetes and DevOps practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development and deployment of AI/ML software solutions.
• Architect scalable systems with focus on performance and maintainability.
• Mentor and manage a remote team of engineers.
• Oversee SDLC from requirements to deployment and monitoring.
• Collaborate with data scientists and product managers on strategy.
• Promote best practices, code reviews, testing, CI/CD.
• Ensure quality, reliability and security of AI systems.
• Drive technical roadmap and stakeholder communication.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Strategic thinking

Problem-solving

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/AI

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

AWS

Azure

GCP

Docker

Kubernetes

Python

Java

C++

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge technology firm specializing in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning solutions, is seeking a highly experienced and visionary Lead Software Engineer to spearhead their remote development efforts. This is a critical leadership role responsible for guiding the design, development, and deployment of complex AI/ML-powered products and platforms. You will lead a team of talented software engineers, fostering a culture of innovation, technical excellence, and rapid iteration within a distributed environment. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of software architecture, AI/ML algorithms, and distributed systems, coupled with strong leadership and communication skills. This is a fully remote position, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere while contributing to groundbreaking advancements in AI. We are looking for a strategic thinker who can translate complex business requirements into scalable technical solutions and mentor engineers to achieve their full potential. The Lead Software Engineer will be instrumental in shaping the technical roadmap and ensuring the successful delivery of high-impact AI products.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of scalable AI/ML software solutions.
• Architect robust and efficient software systems, considering performance, scalability, and maintainability.
• Mentor, coach, and manage a team of software engineers, fostering technical growth and collaboration.
• Oversee the entire software development lifecycle, from requirements gathering to deployment and monitoring.
• Collaborate closely with data scientists, researchers, and product managers to define product vision and technical strategy.
• Drive the adoption of best practices in software engineering, including code reviews, testing, and CI/CD.
• Ensure the quality, reliability, and security of AI/ML systems.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical challenges in distributed systems.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in AI/ML, software engineering, and cloud technologies.
• Contribute to strategic technical planning and roadmap development.
• Facilitate effective communication within the remote engineering team and with other stakeholders.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

Requirements

• Minimum of 8 years of professional software engineering experience, with at least 3 years in a technical leadership or management role.
• Extensive experience in designing and building complex software systems, preferably with an AI/ML focus.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++.
• Strong understanding of machine learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch) and algorithms.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Expertise in software architecture patterns and distributed systems.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor engineering teams effectively.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and strategic thinking skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, adept at working in a remote setting.
• Experience with Agile methodologies and DevOps practices.
• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, AI, or a related field is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to drive technical projects to successful completion.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Significant stock options or equity package.
• Opportunity to lead projects at the forefront of AI/ML innovation.
• Fully remote work arrangement with flexible hours.
• Comprehensive global health insurance coverage.
• Generous vacation policy and paid holidays.
• Annual budget for professional development, conferences, and learning resources.
• Home office setup allowance.
• Collaborative and intellectually stimulating work environment.
• Influence on the company's technological direction and strategy.