Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Recruiter:

Network Recruitment

Job Ref:

BIT005530/Mfund

Date posted:

Friday, February 27, 2026

Location:

Johannesburg, South Africa

SUMMARY:

An exciting opportunity for a highly skilled Senior Machine Learning Engineer to lead the design and delivery of advanced software systems enabling analytics, AI, and LLM-driven solutions. This role combines handsâon engineering, technical leadership, and collaboration with consultants, data scientists, and clients.

POSITION INFO:

Our client is a respected analytics-led consulting firm delivering innovative software, data, and AI solutions. As a Senior Machine Learning Engineer, you will architect, build, and operationalise systems that power data science, machine learning, and LLM use cases. You will take ownership from concept to production, guide junior engineers, and ensure engineering best practices across projects.
The role requires strong software engineering capability, endâtoâend delivery ownership, and the ability to translate analytical and business requirements into scalable technical solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Design, develop, and deliver software components for analytics, ML, and AI/LLMâenabled systems.
Build backend services, APIs, data models, and scalable inference pipelines.
Develop and maintain data pipelines, feature stores, and modelâserving interfaces.
Ensure codebases are maintainable, wellâdocumented, tested, and productionâready.
Lead endâtoâend solution delivery, including design, testing, deployment, and optimisation.
Mentor junior engineers and enforce engineering best practices.
Participate in client engagements and collaborate with crossâfunctional teams.
Act as a trusted technical advisor to consultants and clients.

Job Experience & Skills Required

Education

MSc in Computer Science or related field (nonânegotiable).
Strong grounding in software engineering, algorithms, programming principles, mathematics, and probability.
PhD in AI/ML or distributed systems advantageous.

Experience

Minimum 2+ years of professional software engineering experience.
Proven contributions to productionâgrade systems across the full development lifecycle.
Experience in analytics, data science, ML, or AIâenabled environments beneficial.
Ability to translate analytical and business requirements into technical system designs.
Consulting or clientâfacing experience advantageous.

Technical Skills

Programming: Python (required), SQL; JavaScript frameworks (Next.js, React) advantageous.
Frameworks & Tools: Node.js, PyTorch, Docker, Kubernetes.
Data & Integration: REST APIs, microservices, message queues.
DevOps: Git/GitHub, CI/CD pipelines.
Systems: Windows & Linux.
Cloud (advantageous): AWS, Azure, or GCP.

Competencies

Strong problemâsolving and systemâthinking ability.
Ability to design scalable, secure, and maintainable systems.
Excellent communication skills with technical and nonâtechnical stakeholders.
High ownership, accountability, and professional judgement.

Apply now!
For more exciting IT vacancies, please visit:

I also specialise in recruiting in the following:

Software Developers
Data Analysts
IT Support Technicians
Test Analysts
DevOps Engineers

If you have not had any response in two weeks, please consider the vacancy application unsuccessful. Your profile will be kept on our database for any other suitable roles / positions.

For more information, contact:
Mfundo Mthembu
IT Recruitment specialist
Connect with me on LinkedIn!:

NB! This job is now closed. You can apply for other jobs by uploading your CV.

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