Senior AI Engineer - Reinforcement Learning

Placements24; Klerksdorp; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work

Competitive salary package

Growth opportunities (conference +研究)

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior AI Engineer specializing in reinforcement learning to design, implement, and deploy advanced RL models. This remote-first role targets real-world problems across robotics, games, and optimization, with autonomy and collaboration at its core.

You will train and evaluate RL agents in simulations, publish findings, and contribute to scalable AI solutions while working in a distributed, highly skilled team.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years hands-on experience in AI/ML, with a strong specialization in Reinforcement Learning.
• Proven track record of implementing and deploying RL algorithms in practical applications.
• Strong programming skills in Python and experience with ML frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or JAX.
• Deep understanding of RL concepts, including Markov Decision Processes, value functions, and policy optimization.
• Experience with simulation environments (e.g., OpenAI Gym, MuJoCo) is highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and research skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, enabling effective remote teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Develop, train, and optimize state-of-the-art reinforcement learning models for applications such as robotics, game playing, and optimization.
• Design and implement RL algorithms, including Q-learning, policy gradients, and actor-critic methods.
• Work with large-scale datasets and simulation environments to train and evaluate RL agents.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate RL solutions into product offerings and research initiatives.
• Conduct rigorous experimentation, analyze performance metrics, and iterate on models to improve effectiveness.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in RL research and identify opportunities for novel applications.
• Contribute to the research and development of new RL techniques and methodologies.
• Ensure the responsible and ethical application of AI technologies.
• Document research findings, methodologies, and code for internal and external dissemination.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Research skills

Education

PhD in Computer Science / AI / ML

Master's degree in related field

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

JAX

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneer in advanced AI research and development, is looking for a highly skilled Senior AI Engineer specializing in Reinforcement Learning (RL) to join their fully remote team. In this critical role, you will design, implement, and deploy sophisticated RL algorithms for complex decision-making problems across various domains. You will be at the forefront of developing autonomous systems and intelligent agents that learn and adapt in dynamic environments. This position demands a deep theoretical understanding of RL principles, combined with practical experience in applying these concepts to real-world challenges. As a remote-first organization, we foster a culture of autonomy, collaboration, and continuous innovation, allowing you to contribute impactful work from anywhere. If you are passionate about pushing the boundaries of AI and have a strong background in reinforcement learning, this is an exceptional career opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, train, and optimize state-of-the-art reinforcement learning models for applications such as robotics, game playing, and optimization.
• Design and implement RL algorithms, including Q-learning, policy gradients, and actor-critic methods.
• Work with large-scale datasets and simulation environments to train and evaluate RL agents.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate RL solutions into product offerings and research initiatives.
• Conduct rigorous experimentation, analyze performance metrics, and iterate on models to improve effectiveness.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in RL research and identify opportunities for novel applications.
• Contribute to the research and development of new RL techniques and methodologies.
• Ensure the responsible and ethical application of AI technologies.
• Document research findings, methodologies, and code for internal and external dissemination.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands‑on experience in AI/ML, with a strong specialization in Reinforcement Learning.
• Proven track record of implementing and deploying RL algorithms in practical applications.
• Strong programming skills in Python and experience with ML frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or JAX.
• Deep understanding of RL concepts, including Markov Decision Processes, value functions, and policy optimization.
• Experience with simulation environments (e.g., OpenAI Gym, MuJoCo) is highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and research skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, enabling effective remote teamwork.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively in a remote setting.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package, commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Fully remote work arrangement, offering maximum flexibility.
• Generous vacation and paid time off policy.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth, including conference attendance and research publications.
• Access to advanced computational resources and cutting‑edge AI tools.
• Collaborative and intellectually stimulating remote work environment.
• Retirement savings plan with company contributions.
• Annual performance bonuses.