Senior AI/ML Engineer - Production Systems

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Retirement contributions

Paid time off

Training and development

Career advancement

Job summary

Placements24 in Polokwane, Limpopo, seeks a Senior AI/ML Engineer to design, deploy, and maintain production-grade AI/ML models. You will bridge research and application, building robust ML infrastructure and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable solutions.

The role emphasizes MLOps, model monitoring, and continuous improvement in a production environment, with hybrid work options in Polokwane area.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of software engineering experience with a focus on ML models in production.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.
• Experience building data pipelines and ML infrastructure.
• Familiarity with MLOps concepts and CI/CD for ML.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and deploy scalable ML models into production systems.
• Build and maintain robust data pipelines and ML infrastructure.
• Optimize model performance for production in terms of latency and throughput.
• Collaborate with data scientists and software engineers to integrate ML models.
• Monitor deployed models and retrain or improve as needed.
• Implement MLOps best practices including CI/CD, versioning, and testing.
• Troubleshoot AI/ML systems in production.
• Stay up-to-date with AI/ML advancements and mentor juniors.

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or related quantitative field

Tools

Python

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

Docker

Kubernetes

MLflow

Kubeflow

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in the AI and Emerging Technologies sector, is seeking a highly motivated Senior AI/ML Engineer to join our dynamic team in **Polokwane, Limpopo**. This role focuses on building, deploying, and maintaining robust AI/ML models and systems in production environments. You will play a critical role in bridging the gap between research and practical application, ensuring our AI solutions deliver maximum value and performance. The ideal candidate possesses strong software engineering skills combined with deep expertise in machine learning and a passion for solving complex, real-world problems. Join a collaborative team that is at the forefront of AI innovation and contribute to projects that are shaping the future.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and deploy scalable machine learning models into production systems.
• Build and maintain robust data pipelines and ML infrastructure to support AI applications.
• Optimize model performance for production environments, focusing on latency, throughput, and resource utilization.
• Collaborate with data scientists and software engineers to integrate ML models into existing products and services.
• Monitor deployed models, analyze performance, and implement improvements or retraining as needed.
• Implement MLOps best practices, including CI/CD for ML, model versioning, and automated testing.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to AI/ML systems in production.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in AI/ML technologies and MLOps.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the team's technical growth.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a related quantitative field.
• 5+ years of experience in software engineering with a strong focus on building and deploying machine learning models in production.
• Proficiency in Python and experience with ML frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or scikit-learn.
• Solid understanding of MLOps principles and tools (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes, MLflow, Kubeflow).
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and their ML services.
• Strong software engineering skills, including experience with version control (Git) and CI/CD pipelines.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate technical concepts clearly.
• Experience working with large datasets and distributed computing frameworks (e.g., Spark) is a plus.
• Reside or be willing to work in the **Polokwane, Limpopo** area or embrace a hybrid model.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement contributions, and generous paid time off.
• We provide a stimulating work environment with opportunities for professional development, including access to cutting-edge technology and training programs.
• Employees will work on challenging projects that have a real-world impact and contribute to the advancement of AI.
• Join our team in **Polokwane** and be part of a company that values innovation and employee growth.
• We also offer performance-based bonuses and potential for career advancement within the organization.