Principal Machine Learning Engineer

Our client, a cutting-edge artificial intelligence research and development firm, is seeking a highly accomplished Principal Machine Learning Engineer to join their innovative team in Upington, Northern Cape. This is a leadership role where you will drive the design, development, and deployment of advanced machine learning models and systems that solve complex real-world problems. You will be instrumental in setting technical direction, mentoring junior engineers, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to push the boundaries of AI.

This position offers a hybrid work model, enabling effective collaboration and personal flexibility. We are looking for an individual with a deep theoretical understanding and practical experience in machine learning, a passion for innovation, and a proven ability to deliver impactful AI solutions. You will work at the forefront of AI technology, shaping the future of our products and services.

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of sophisticated machine learning models and algorithms.
• Research and apply state-of-the-art ML techniques to solve challenging business problems.
• Develop and maintain robust ML pipelines for data preprocessing, model training, evaluation, and deployment.
• Collaborate with data scientists, software engineers, and product managers to integrate ML solutions into products and services.
• Optimize ML models for performance, scalability, and efficiency.
• Evaluate and select appropriate ML frameworks, tools, and technologies.
• Mentor and guide junior machine learning engineers and data scientists.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in machine learning, deep learning, and related fields.
• Contribute to the company's intellectual property through research and publications.
• Ensure the ethical and responsible development and deployment of AI systems.

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• Extensive experience as a Machine Learning Engineer, with a proven track record of leading complex projects.
• Deep understanding of machine learning algorithms, statistical modeling, and deep learning architectures (e.g., CNNs, RNNs, Transformers).
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, and relevant ML libraries (e.g., Tensor Flow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, Keras).
• Experience with large-scale data processing and distributed computing frameworks (e.g., Spark).
• Strong understanding of data structures, algorithms, and software engineering principles.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and MLOps practices.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and leadership abilities.
• Experience with deploying ML models into production environments.

• Highly competitive salary and significant bonus potential.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Hybrid work model offering flexibility and work-life balance.
• Generous budget for professional development, including research, conferences, and publications.
• Opportunity to work on groundbreaking AI research and development.
• Access to cutting-edge computational resources and datasets.
• Collaborative and intellectually stimulating work environment.
• Paid time off and company holidays.
• Stock options or equity grants.
• Opportunities for significant career growth and leadership.