Senior Machine Learning Engineer (Remote-First)

Placements24; Benoni; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health insurance

Professional development budget

Remote work stipend

Flexible hours

Unlimited PTO

Cutting-edge AI projects

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Machine Learning Engineer for a remote-first team. You will design, develop, and deploy production-ready ML models; lead ML pipelines; optimize algorithms; work with large datasets and cloud platforms; mentor juniors.

This role emphasizes remote collaboration and advanced AI projects. Located near Benoni for occasional team meetups, you should have a strong CS/ML foundation and experience with TensorFlow or PyTorch, MLflow, and Docker/Kubernetes.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, ML, AI, or a related quantitative field.
• 5+ years of professional experience in machine learning engineering or related roles.
• Strong programming skills in Python with ML libraries (TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn).
• Experience with distributed computing frameworks and cloud environments.
• Solid understanding of MLOps principles, Docker, Kubernetes, and MLflow.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and train state-of-the-art ML models and systems.
• Develop and maintain scalable ML pipelines for data preprocessing, training, and deployment.
• Implement and optimize ML algorithms for performance and efficiency.
• Work with large datasets and distributed computing frameworks.
• Collaborate with data scientists and software engineers to productionize models.
• Develop and manage MLOps practices, including monitoring, versioning, and deployment.
• Stay current with ML research and mentor junior engineers.
• Communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Ensure ethical and responsible application of AI technologies.

Skills

Python

ML libraries

Distributed computing

Cloud platforms

MLOps

ETL pipelines

Team leadership

Communication

Remote collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Master's or PhD in Computer Science / ML / AI

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

MLflow

Spark

Dask

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge AI research and development company, is building a world-class, remote-first engineering team and is seeking a highly skilled Senior Machine Learning Engineer. This role is pivotal in designing, developing, and deploying advanced machine learning models and systems that drive innovation across various industries. While this position is fully remote, candidates based in or willing to relocate within commuting distance of Benoni, Gauteng for occasional team meetups will be prioritized. You will work on challenging problems, from model optimization and scaling to implementing MLOps best practices. The ideal candidate possesses a strong foundation in computer science, machine learning theory, and practical experience in building production-ready ML systems. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of AI from a flexible, remote environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and train state-of-the-art machine learning models.
• Develop and maintain scalable ML pipelines for data preprocessing, model training, and deployment.
• Implement and optimize ML algorithms for performance and efficiency.
• Work with large datasets and distributed computing frameworks.
• Collaborate with data scientists and software engineers to integrate ML models into production systems.
• Develop and manage MLOps practices, including monitoring, versioning, and deployment of models.
• Stay current with the latest research and advancements in machine learning and AI.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to technical strategy.
• Communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Ensure the ethical and responsible application of AI technologies.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, or a related quantitative field.
• 5+ years of professional experience in machine learning engineering or related roles.
• Strong programming skills in Python, with extensive experience using ML libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn).
• Experience with distributed computing frameworks (e.g., Spark, Dask).
• Proficiency in developing and deploying models in cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Solid understanding of MLOps principles and tools (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes, MLflow).
• Experience with data pipelines and ETL processes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities, especially in a remote setting.
• Ability to work autonomously and lead projects.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and stock options.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Significant budget for professional development, conferences, and training.
• Generous remote work stipend for home office setup.
• Flexible working hours and unlimited PTO.
• Opportunity to work on groundbreaking AI projects.
• A culture that embraces remote work and asynchronous collaboration.