AI Tech Lead | Sandton, South Africa

Position Summary:

We are actively seeking an experienced, high-caliber, and technical AI Tech Lead to join our client team in Sandton, South Africa on a full-time contract basis. In this critical artificial intelligence leadership role, you will be responsible for architecting, developing, and deploying advanced AI solutions, managing generative AI pipelines, and overseeing production AI deployments. You will leverage your strong background in GenAI, large language models (LLMs), RAG architectures, AI agents, and prompt engineering to drive digital transformation. This opportunity offers competitive compensation, executive technical visibility, and exceptional career growth prospects within a leading global technology staffing and consulting enterprise.

Detailed Job Description:

As an AI Tech Lead supporting cutting-edge artificial intelligence projects in Sandton via CAHead, you will take full operational, tactical, and technical ownership of AI model integration, application architecture, and production deployment lifecycles. Your day-to-day responsibilities include designing and implementing Generative AI (GenAI) systems, Large Language Models (LLMs), Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) pipelines, and autonomous AI agents using Python and .NET frameworks. You will integrate vector databases, configure Robotic Process Automation (RPA) workflows, establish secure API integrations on Microsoft Azure, and deploy open-source LLMs into production environments. Furthermore, you will collaborate closely with data science squads, software engineers, and executive stakeholders to ensure high model performance, scalability, and strict adherence to enterprise security governance standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Architect, design, develop, and deploy advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions in production environments.
• Implement and optimize Generative AI (GenAI) applications, Large Language Models (LLMs), and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) pipelines.
• Build, train, and deploy autonomous AI agents and sophisticated prompt engineering workflows.
• Develop robust backend services and microservices utilizing Python and .NET frameworks.
• Integrate and manage vector databases (e.g., Pinecone, Milvus, Qdrant) for high-speed semantic search and retrieval.
• Configure and deploy Robotic Process Automation (RPA) workflows and secure cloud API integrations on Microsoft Azure.
• Fine-tune, host, and manage open-source LLMs ensuring low latency and optimal throughput.
• Oversee end-to-end production AI deployments, monitoring model drift, token usage, and system reliability.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 6+ years of professional software engineering and AI development experience, with at least 3+ years in a technical leadership or senior engineering capacity.
• Expert practical proficiency in GenAI, LLMs, RAG architectures, AI agents, and advanced prompt engineering.
• Strong backend software development experience in Python and .NET.
• Proven hands‑on experience integrating vector databases and secure RESTful APIs.
• Solid cloud infrastructure and deployment experience with Microsoft Azure.
• Experience deploying open-source LLMs (e.g., Llama, Mistral, Falcon) into production environments.
• Mandatory current residency in South Africa (only candidates based locally in South Africa will be considered).

Nice-to-Have Skills:

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or Computer Science.
• Advanced certifications in Microsoft Azure AI Engineering or Cloud Architecture.
• Experience with Robotic Process Automation (RPA) platforms (e.g., UiPath, Automation Anywhere).
• Contributions to open-source AI frameworks or published research in natural language processing (NLP).

Application Information:

Salary/Rate: Market Competitive / Global Contract Package

Deadline: Open until filled (Urgent Sandton Contract Opening)

Notice Period: Immediate Availability Preferred

Contract Duration: Contract / Full-Time On-Site / Hybrid (Sandton, South Africa)

#J-18808-Ljbffr