Lead Machine Learning Engineer - NLP

Our client, a pioneering firm at the forefront of AI innovation, is seeking an experienced Lead Machine Learning Engineer with a specialization in Natural Language Processing (NLP) to join their dynamic team in Polokwane, Limpopo
. This pivotal role involves leading the design, development, and deployment of advanced NLP models and systems that drive core business functionalities. You will be instrumental in shaping the future of our client's AI initiatives, guiding a team of talented engineers and researchers. The position requires a deep understanding of state-of-the-art NLP techniques, a passion for solving real-world problems using AI, and strong leadership capabilities.

Working in our client's modern facility in Polokwane, Limpopo
, you will be part of a collaborative and forward-thinking environment, contributing to projects that have a significant market impact. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious ML engineer looking to make a substantial contribution to a growing AI leader.

• Lead the end-to-end development and deployment of NLP models, including text classification, sentiment analysis, named entity recognition, and question answering systems.
• Mentor and guide a team of machine learning engineers and data scientists, fostering technical excellence and collaboration.
• Architect and build scalable, production-ready ML systems and pipelines.
• Collaborate closely with product managers, software engineers, and domain experts to define and deliver AI-powered features.
• Stay current with the latest research and advancements in NLP and machine learning, identifying opportunities for innovation.
• Evaluate and select appropriate tools, technologies, and frameworks for NLP projects.
• Optimize model performance, efficiency, and scalability for large-scale deployments.
• Contribute to the company's intellectual property through patents and publications.

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field.
• Extensive experience (5+ years) in machine learning engineering, with a strong focus on NLP.
• Proficiency in Python and ML libraries such as Tensor Flow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, NLTK, or spaCy.
• Proven experience in deploying ML models into production environments.
• Solid understanding of transformer architectures, language models (e.g., BERT, GPT), and their applications.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and MLOps practices.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a keen eye for detail.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and teamwork abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

Our client offers a highly competitive salary package, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, and a robust retirement savings plan. Employees are provided with opportunities for continuous learning and professional development, including access to training, workshops, and industry conferences. The company culture emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and work-life balance, with ample paid time off and flexible working arrangements considered where operationally feasible. The Polokwane, Limpopo office is equipped with modern facilities and resources to support cutting-edge AI research and development.