AI Engineer

AI Engineer

Recruiter

Network Recruitment

Job Ref

ITE007860/Sfund

Date posted

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Location

Johannesburg, South Africa

Salary

Monthly

SUMMARY

The AI Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining advanced Artificial Intelligence solutions that support strategic business objectives across voice and digital customer engagement channels.

This role focuses on building and deploying production-grade AI applications, including intelligent voice bots, conversational chatbots, AI-powered Quality Assurance (QA) solutions for interaction analysis, and custom Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Natural Language Understanding (NLU) systems for underrepresented African languages.

The successful candidate will combine strong software engineering capabilities with a passion for innovation, leveraging Generative AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), Speech Technologies, NLP, and Responsible AI principles to deliver scalable, impactful, and customer-centric solutions.

POSITION INFO

Required Education & Qualifications Honours Degree in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Data Science, Computational Linguistics, or a related field. Master's Degree will be advantageous. Relevant AI and Machine Learning certifications (e.g., Azure AI, AWS AI, Google Cloud AI) are beneficial. Required Experience Experience in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Generative AI, Natural Language Processing (NLP), or related disciplines. Practical experience developing and deploying AI-powered voicebots and chatbots. Hands-on experience building conversational AI solutions using Large Language Models (LLMs) and modern AI frameworks. Experience designing and implementing Speech-to-Text (STT), Text-to-Speech (TTS), and AI-powered quality assurance solutions. Exposure to language technologies supporting low-resource and African languages is highly desirable. Experience delivering AI solutions within customer service, contact centre, or customer experience environments is advantageous. Proven track record working with Generative AI, NLP, Voice AI, LLMs, API integrations, and speech technologies. Technical Skills & Competencies AI & Machine Learning Strong proficiency in Python, R, Java, or similar programming languages. Experience with AI and Machine Learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, and Hugging Face. Deep understanding of NLP, NLU, Generative AI, LLMs, and conversational AI technologies. Experience working with Speech-to-Text, Text-to-Speech, speech analytics, and voice AI platforms. Knowledge of model deployment, monitoring, optimization, and MLOps practices. Software Development & Integration Experience designing, developing, and integrating APIs using REST and GraphQL. Proficiency with Git, GitHub, version control best practices, and CI/CD pipelines. Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker. Strong database experience, including SQL and exposure to NoSQL technologies. Understanding of data engineering concepts, including ETL/ELT processes, data pipelines, and data orchestration. Cloud & Infrastructure Experience working with cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud Platform. Strong Azure experience is advantageous. Familiarity with scalable, cloud-based AI solution deployment and management. Behavioural Competencies Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving ability. Passion for innovation and emerging technologies. Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills. Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative team environment. Adaptability and resilience in fast-paced and evolving environments. Strong planning, organisational, and time management skills. Continuous learning mindset with a commitment to professional development. Key Responsibilities AI Strategy & Solution Development Develop and execute AI strategies aligned to business objectives and growth initiatives. Identify opportunities to enhance customer experiences, operational efficiency, and business performance through AI-driven solutions. Design, develop, and deploy AI applications including: Generative AI solutions Conversational AI chatbots Intelligent voicebots Speech-to-Text (STT) systems Text-to-Speech (TTS) solutions Quality Assurance and interaction analytics platforms Large Language Model (LLM) applications Develop AI solutions optimized for multilingual and African language environments. Research & Innovation Stay informed of emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in Artificial Intelligence. Conduct research, experimentation, and proof-of-concept initiatives to evaluate new AI capabilities. Collaborate with academic institutions, technology partners, and industry experts to advance innovation initiatives. Ensure all AI solutions adhere to data privacy, governance, security, and ethical AI standards. Solution Design & Implementation Design, build, test, and deploy scalable AI models and solutions that address complex business challenges. Integrate AI technologies into existing platforms and systems through APIs and other integration methods. Ensure solutions are secure, reliable, maintainable, and production-ready. Implement best practices for AI development, testing, deployment, and lifecycle management. Data Analysis & Insights Analyse structured and unstructured datasets to uncover insights that support AI development and business decision-making. Apply advanced data processing, modelling, and visualisation techniques. Translate analytical findings into actionable recommendations that improve operational and customer outcomes. Stakeholder Collaboration Partner with business and technical stakeholders to understand challenges and identify AI opportunities. Work closely with cross-functional teams to deliver successful AI implementations. Communicate technical concepts and AI capabilities effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences. Continuous Improvement Continuously evaluate and enhance existing AI solutions and capabilities. Drive adoption of industry best practices across AI engineering, machine learning, and MLOps disciplines. Contribute to a culture of innovation, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement. Training & Knowledge Transfer Provide guidance, training, and support to users and stakeholders on AI technologies and solutions. Develop and maintain documentation, user guides, technical specifications, and operational procedures. Mentor team members and promote ongoing learning and capability development. Success Measures Successful delivery of AI-powered voice and digital solutions. Adoption and performance of Generative AI, NLP, and LLM-based applications. Reliability, scalability, and accuracy of deployed AI systems. Compliance with data governance, privacy, and security standards. Continuous improvement of customer experience, operational efficiency, and business outcomes through AI innovation. Apply now! For more IT jobs, please visit I also specialise in recruiting in the following: Software Development Data Engineer Data Analyst Infrastructure Architecture ... and more! 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: Sfundo Shoba Recruitment Consultant />