Senior Machine Learning Engineer (Robotics)

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension contributions

Hybrid work

Training & conferences

Polokwane facility

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Machine Learning Engineer (Robotics) to join our client’s R&D team in Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA. This hybrid role combines on-site collaboration and remote work to design, develop and deploy ML models for robotic perception, control and decision-making.

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s or PhD in CS/EE/Robotics, has 5+ years in ML engineering (2+ in robotics), and is proficient in Python with TensorFlow/PyTorch, ROS and OpenCV, plus data handling and

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field with ML specialization.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in machine learning engineering, with at least 2 years in robotics applications.
• Strong Python proficiency and experience with ML libraries/frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-Learn).
• Experience with computer vision (OpenCV) and ROS is highly desirable.
• Data collection, labeling, and management for ML projects; collaboration across teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy ML models for robotic perception, control, and decision-making.
• Design and train models for perception, localization, and navigation in complex environments.
• Integrate ML models with ROS-based robotic software and simulation environments.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers and software developers to ensure seamless integration.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to knowledge sharing.

Skills

Machine learning

Robotics

Python

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Robotics

Tools

ROS

OpenCV

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Scikit-learn

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic innovator in autonomous systems and intelligent robotics, is looking for a talented Senior Machine Learning Engineer (Robotics) to join their cutting-edge R&D department. This role offers a hybrid work model, allowing for a combination of on-site collaboration at their facility in **Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA**, and remote work flexibility. You will be responsible for designing, developing, and deploying advanced machine learning models to enhance the capabilities of robotic systems, focusing on areas such as perception, control, and decision-making. The ideal candidate has a strong background in both machine learning and robotics, with practical experience in applying ML techniques to real-world robotic applications. You will contribute to creating the next generation of intelligent robots.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement machine learning algorithms for robotic perception, including object recognition, scene understanding, and sensor fusion.
• Design and train models for robotic control, motion planning, and navigation in complex environments.
• Integrate ML models with robot operating systems (ROS) and other robotic software frameworks.
• Collect, preprocess, and label large datasets for training and evaluating ML models.
• Evaluate model performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement optimization strategies.
• Collaborate with robotics hardware engineers and software developers to ensure seamless integration of ML solutions.
• Stay current with the latest research and advancements in machine learning, deep learning, and robotics.
• Mentor junior ML engineers and contribute to team knowledge sharing.
• Deploy ML models into production robotic systems and monitor their performance in the field.
• Document ML development processes, model architectures, and experimental results.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field with a specialization in Machine Learning.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in machine learning engineering, with at least 2 years focused on robotics applications.
• Proficiency in Python and ML libraries/frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn.
• Strong understanding of core ML concepts, including supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning.
• Experience with computer vision techniques and libraries (e.g., OpenCV).
• Familiarity with ROS (Robot Operating System) and robotic simulation environments.
• Experience in data collection, annotation, and management for ML projects.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and a passion for innovation.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, comfortable working in a hybrid environment.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) for ML model training and deployment is a plus.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, performance incentives, and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance and retirement contributions.
• The hybrid work model promotes a flexible work-life balance.
• Employees have access to state-of-the-art tools and resources, as well as opportunities for professional growth through training, conferences, and internal development programs.
• Work on exciting projects that are defining the future of intelligent automation from our **Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA** facility, with the added benefit of remote work flexibility.