Lead AI Engineer

Unknown Company (via E-Merge IT Recruitment) Johannesburg, Gauteng R 1,400,000 – R 0

Full-time Closes 11 Nov 2026 · 12 days left

Johannesburg, Gauteng R 1,400,000 – R 0 Full-time Closes 11 Nov 2026

What the job is: This job is for a Lead AI Engineer who will work as both a player and a coach in a technical team. You will be responsible for building and delivering major AI products, working closely with the Head of AI. The role is based in Johannesburg, with some remote work allowed. The company is looking for someone who can lead projects, set technical standards, and mentor the team while ensuring high-quality AI solutions for voice, automated call quality checks, and future text-based channels.

What you will do: You will manage the entire process of delivering major AI projects, such as voice agents, speech and language model quality checks, or text-based AI systems. Responsibilities include leading design of AI prompts and agents, creating structured outputs from language models, and building systems to test and monitor these outputs for accuracy and reliability. You will mentor engineers, collaborate with campaign and DevOps teams, and optimize AI tool usage like GPUs.

What you need: At least seven years of software engineering experience, with three years in AI systems. Strong Python skills, deep knowledge in voice/AI systems, Microsoft Azure expertise, and experience with AI coding tools like Cursor or Claude. Familiarity with contact centers/BPO industries is a plus.

What you will get: A permanent, hybrid role in Sandton, Johannesburg, with a salary up to R1.4 million per year (negotiable). Flexibility for remote work and opportunities to drive AI innovation in a collaborative team.