Senior AI Engineer - Agricultural Robotics (Remote)

Placements24; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Fully remote

International health insurance

Significant equity options

Professional development budget

Innovative work culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Senior AI Engineer for our remote farming robotics team. You will design and deploy AI for autonomous farming systems, including navigation, weed detection, crop health, and yield estimation, leveraging CV and deep learning.

Bring a strong foundation in robotics, perception, and embedded AI, plus collaboration across cross‑functional teams to deliver high‑impact automated agricultural solutions from anywhere.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, AI or related field.
• 6+ years in AI/ML engineering with emphasis on computer vision and deep learning.
• Strong Python and/or C++ programming with AI/ML framework experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and optimize AI algorithms for agricultural robots using computer vision, sensor fusion and ML.
• Train deep learning models for weed detection, crop health, fruit ripeness and autonomous navigation.
• Integrate AI modules into robotic platforms and ensure robustness in field conditions.
• Create and maintain simulation environments to validate AI before deployment.
• Collaborate with robotics engineers, software developers, and domain experts to define requirements.
• Optimize models for real-time performance on embedded systems.
• Test, validate, and iterate AI systems using performance metrics.
• Stay current with AI, ML, CV, and robotics advances and apply innovations.

Skills

AI/ML engineering

Computer vision

Software engineering

Python / C++

ROS

TensorFlow / PyTorch / Keras

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/EE/Robotics/AI or related

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Keras

ROS

OpenCV

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering AgTech firm specializing in agricultural robotics and automation, is seeking a highly experienced Senior AI Engineer to join their fully remote development team. This role is instrumental in advancing the capabilities of our autonomous farming systems through cutting-edge artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques. You will be responsible for designing, developing, and deploying AI algorithms for tasks such as robotic navigation, object detection (crops, weeds, pests), precision spraying, and yield estimation. The ideal candidate possesses a strong foundation in computer vision, deep learning, robotics, and software engineering, with a demonstrated ability to apply these skills to real-world agricultural challenges. We are looking for a creative problem-solver passionate about shaping the future of sustainable and efficient farming through intelligent automation, all from their chosen location.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and optimize AI algorithms and models for agricultural robots, focusing on computer vision, sensor fusion, and machine learning.
• Develop and train deep learning models for tasks such as weed detection, crop health assessment, fruit ripeness identification, and autonomous navigation.
• Integrate AI modules into robotic platforms, ensuring robust performance in diverse and challenging field conditions.
• Develop and maintain simulation environments for testing and validating AI algorithms before deployment on physical robots.
• Collaborate closely with robotics engineers, software developers, and domain experts to define system requirements and drive product development.
• Optimize AI models for real-time performance and efficiency on embedded systems.
• Conduct rigorous testing and validation of AI systems, analyzing performance metrics and iterating on solutions.
• Stay current with advancements in AI, machine learning, computer vision, and robotics, and apply relevant innovations to the company's products.
• Contribute to the overall system architecture and technical strategy for AI-driven agricultural solutions.
• Document AI algorithms, model architectures, and implementation details thoroughly.

Requirements

• A Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field.
• A minimum of 6 years of professional experience in AI/ML engineering, with a significant focus on computer vision and deep learning applications.
• Strong programming skills in Python and/or C++, with extensive experience using AI/ML frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Keras.
• Proven experience in developing and deploying computer vision algorithms (e.g., object detection, segmentation, image classification) using deep learning techniques.
• Familiarity with robotics concepts, including perception, navigation, and control systems (e.g., ROS).
• Experience with sensor data processing (e.g., cameras, LiDAR, GPS) and sensor fusion.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with a track record of tackling complex technical challenges.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, essential for working effectively in a remote, cross-functional team.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage projects, and deliver high-quality results.
• Passion for agricultural technology and its potential to address global food security and sustainability challenges.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary package, commensurate with the seniority and specialized skills required.
• This role is fully remote, providing unparalleled work-life flexibility.
• comprehensive international health insurance
• significant equity options
• a generous budget for professional development, including conferences and advanced training
• We offer a dynamic, innovative work culture where your contributions directly impact the future of farming. Join a team of passionate experts pushing the boundaries of what's possible in agricultural robotics and AI.