Johannesburg: Machine Learning & AI Developer posted by iOCO Digital Pty Lty

We are seeking a highly skilled ML & AI Developer to join our growing Data & AI team. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing, developing, deploying, and maintaining machine learning and AI solutions that deliver measurable business value. This role requires a strong engineering mindset, hands-on experience with machine learning production environments, and the ability to work independently with stakeholders across the business.

The ideal candidate will have experience building scalable AI and machine learning solutions, implementing MLOps best practices, and working with modern cloud-based data and AI platforms.

What you’ll do:

• Design, develop, and deploy end-to-end machine learning solutions into production environments.
• Build and maintain scalable batch and real-time AI/ML pipelines.
• Develop, train, evaluate, and optimize machine learning models to solve business challenges.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders, data engineers, data scientists, and technology teams to translate requirements into production-ready AI solutions.
• Implement and manage MLOps practices including model deployment, monitoring, versioning, testing, and retraining.
• Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines for machine learning workflows.
• Develop and optimize large-scale data processing pipelines using Python, SQL, Spark, and PySpark.
• Deploy and manage machine learning solutions using Azure AI and data platform technologies.
• Monitor model performance, drift, and reliability to ensure ongoing business value and operational stability.
• Contribute to AI governance, security, and best practices across the organization.
• Research and evaluate emerging AI technologies and recommend innovative solutions.

Your Expertise:

• 5+ years of experience in Machine Learning Engineering, AI Engineering, Data Science, or a related field.
• Proven experience delivering end-to-end machine learning solutions in production environments.
• Experience designing, deploying, and supporting scalable AI and machine learning applications.
• Experience working with large datasets and distributed data processing frameworks.
• Experience with Generative AI solutions.
• Exposure to Large Language Models (LLMs).
• Experience with Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) architectures.
• Experience with vector databases and semantic search solutions.
• Experience integrating AI services into enterprise applications.
• Azure AI and Machine Learning certifications.

Qualifications:

• Degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Relevant Azure, Machine Learning, AI, or Databricks certifications would be advantageous.

Technical Skills

• Strong proficiency in Python.
• Strong SQL skills.
• Hands-on experience with Spark and/or PySpark.
• Experience implementing MLOps practices and frameworks.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines for machine learning solutions.
• Experience with MLflow, Kubeflow, or similar MLOps platforms.
• Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.
• Strong experience with the Azure AI and Data ecosystem, including:
  • Azure Machine Learning
  • Azure Databricks
  • Azure Data Factory
• Experience building both batch and real-time inference solutions.
• Understanding of model monitoring, model governance, and operationalization of machine learning solutions.

Personal Attributes

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Ability to operate independently and take ownership of solutions.
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to work across multidisciplinary teams.
• Continuous learning mindset and passion for emerging AI technologies.