What Jobs are available for AI & Emerging Technologies in South Africa?

Short Description

Visionary AI Integration Lead to embed intelligent capabilities into our ERP SaaS platform, transforming manufacturing operations across 60 countries

Bullet Points

• ERP AI Integration Lead - Product Innovation
• Remote from UK, South Africa, or Europe
• Full-Time, permanent, Competitive Salary + Bonus + Benefits

Full Job Description

ERP AI Integration Lead – Product Innovation

Remote from UK, South Africa, or Europe

Full-Time, permanent, Competitive Salary + Bonus + Benefits

Shape the Future of AI-Driven ERP Solutions

We're seeking a visionary AI Integration Lead to embed intelligent capabilities into our ERP SaaS platform, transforming manufacturing operations across 60+ countries. This is your chance to lead innovation, prototype game-changing solutions, and define the future of AI-powered product development.

What You'll Do

• Architect and implement AI enhancements across engineering workflows
• Prototype ML solutions using LLMs, RAG, and multimodal AI
• Define strategic product roadmaps aligned with market trends
• Build scalable MLOps pipelines using Azure ML, Kubeflow, Terraform
• Collaborate across functions to translate data into business impact
• Mentor a high-performing team of data scientists and developers

What You Bring

• 5+ years in AI, ML, or Data Science roles
• Proven success in SaaS or enterprise product innovation
• Strong programming skills (Python, SQL, C#)
• Expertise in cloud platforms (Azure, AWS) and MLOps tools
• Familiarity with ERP systems and manufacturing workflows
• Certifications in Azure AI, AWS ML, or equivalent
• A growth mindset, commercial acumen, and collaborative spirit

Why Join Our Client?

• Fully remote flexibility across UK, SA, or Europe
• High-impact role shaping global manufacturing efficiency
• Work with elite professionals in a fast-moving, innovative environment
• Competitive compensation, bonus, and benefits package

Checklist Criteria

Experience:
5+ years in AI/ML/Data Science, ideally in ERP or manufacturing SaaS

Technical Stack:
 Python, SQL, cloud platforms (Azure/AWS), MLOps tools (Kubeflow, MLflow, Terraform)

AI Specialization:
Generative AI, RAG, LLMs, NLP, Deep Learning

ERP & Manufacturing Knowledge:
Familiarity with discrete manufacturing and ERP systems a bonus

Product Innovation:
Proven ability to define roadmaps, prototype AI solutions, and launch products

Leadership:
Experience mentoring teams and driving cross-functional collaboration

Education:
 Bachelor's/Master's in CS, Data Science, Engineering; PhD is a plus

Certifications:
 Azure AI Engineer, AWS ML, Udacity Nanodegrees, etc.

Soft Skills:
Strategic thinker, strong communicator, commercially aware

Job Title: Senior Python Software Engineer – AI/ML

About Us:

FrostByte (Pty) Ltd, established in 2013, is a proudly South African, 100% BEE-owned technology company specializing in
custom software development, quality assurance solutions, and consulting services
across a wide range of technology platforms and niche sectors.

We have built trusted partnerships with leading organizations, including
Discovery, Edge, MultiChoice, BME, and Irdeto
, by consistently delivering innovative and scalable technology solutions.

Our subsidiary,
Frost Technica Private Limited
, based in India, strengthens our delivery capabilities by providing specialized offsite development services and niche skillsets, enabling us to offer cost-effective, high-quality solutions to the South African market.

Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Python Software Engineer – AI/ML to join our team. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in Python and end-to-end AI/ML product delivery, with strong experience in Large Language Models (LLMs), data engineering, and MLOps frameworks. Hands-on exposure to Databricks, Data Foundry, MLflow, Prefect, and Azure ML tooling will be highly advantageous.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy AI/ML systems into production environments.
• Orchestrate and manage scalable data pipelines with a focus on quality, reliability, and efficiency.
• Own the full AI/ML lifecycle:
• Data ingestion, preprocessing, and validation
• Model training, fine-tuning, validation, and optimization
• Deployment, monitoring, and scaling in production
• Continuous evaluation and improvement
• Implement scalable and maintainable code aligned with modern development practices (CI/CD, testing, reviews).
• Develop APIs and microservices to integrate AI/ML solutions into enterprise platforms.
• Work with containerization and orchestration technologies (Docker, Kubernetes) to enable cloud-native AI solutions.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver business-focused AI capabilities.

Core Competencies & Requirements

AI/ML Expertise

• Proven experience in delivering production-grade AI/ML systems.
• Strong understanding of
  LLMs
  (fine-tuning, embeddings, integration, and deployment).
• Familiarity with NLP techniques and advanced ML workflows.

Software Engineering

• Advanced proficiency in
  Python
  for AI/ML applications.
• Skilled in scalable, maintainable code design and architecture.
• Experience with
  CI/CD pipelines
  , automated testing, and modern development best practices.

Data Engineering

• Hands-on experience with
  Databricks, Data Foundry
  , and
  Apache Spark
  for large-scale data processing.
• Ability to build and maintain ETL/ELT pipelines with strong validation and governance.
• Knowledge of pipeline orchestration frameworks such as
  Prefect
  (or Airflow).

MLOps & Frameworks

• Practical experience with
  MLflow
  for tracking, orchestration, and reproducibility.
• Strong knowledge of MLOps best practices and deployment strategies.

Cloud Platforms & Infrastructure

• Hands-on experience with
  Azure ML services
  (Data Factory, ML Studio, Synapse).
• Azure certification
  will be considered an advantage.
• Exposure to
  AWS
  or
  GCP
  is beneficial.
• Experience with
  Docker
  and container orchestration (Kubernetes).

API Development & Microservices

• Proven ability to design RESTful APIs and microservices.
• Experience integrating AI models into production workflows.
• Familiarity with observability best practices (metrics, logging, tracing).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
  in
  Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or related field
  (BSc required).
• Honours or Master's degree
  in a relevant field will be an
  advantage
  .
• 7+ years of professional software engineering experience, with at least 3+ years focused on AI/ML.
• Strong experience with ML frameworks such as
  TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Scikit-learn
  .
• Agile methodology experience and strong collaboration skills.

Machine Learning Engineer (12-Month Contract)
Join a leading AI consultancy delivering cutting-edge solutions for enterprise clients.
Johannesburg | R600 - R640 per hour | Contract

About Our Client
Our client is a specialist consultancy that helps businesses harness the full potential of artificial intelligence. Partnering with large enterprises, including major players in financial services, they design and deliver impactful AI solutions that drive measurable results. The company is known for technical excellence, innovation, and a collaborative culture.

The Role: Machine Learning Engineer
We are seeking a Machine Learning Engineer to support a 12-month project within the banking sector. You will be responsible for building and scaling machine learning models, ensuring their seamless deployment into production environments. This is a hands-on role where you'll collaborate with data scientists, engineers, and business stakeholders to deliver end-to-end AI solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, and optimise machine learning models for enterprise banking applications.

• Develop and implement scalable ML pipelines, integrating them into production systems.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver robust AI solutions.

• Deploy, monitor, and maintain ML models within AWS environments.

• Ensure model reliability, reproducibility, and performance across their lifecycle.

• Document workflows, methodologies, and best practices for future use.

About You

• 3 - 5 years of experience in machine learning, data science, or related fields.

• Strong proficiency in Python and ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn).

• Experienced in working with large datasets and SQL/NoSQL databases.

• Essential: Proven expertise with AWS cloud services (SageMaker, S3, Lambda, EC2, Glue, Redshift).

• Knowledge of MLOps practices and CI/CD for ML pipelines.

• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to translate business needs into technical solutions.

• Experience in banking or financial services is advantageous but not mandatory.

• Bonus: Experience deploying AI models at scale, exposure to Docker/Kubernetes, and familiarity with ML observability tools.

Contract Details

• Duration: 12 months (with potential for extension).

• Location: Johannesburg or Stellenbosch, South Africa (hybrid flexibility may apply).

About Our Client
Our client is a specialist AI consultancy, partnering with top enterprises to design and implement impactful artificial intelligence solutions. With a reputation for delivering scalable, practical, and high-value projects, they work at the cutting edge of data science and machine learning. Their collaborative, innovation-driven culture offers an environment where you can shape pioneering AI initiatives that influence entire industries.

The Role: Senior Machine Learning Engineer
This is a 6-month contract opportunity to lead the machine learning delivery of a greenfields proof-of-concept (POC) for one of South Africa's largest banks, reimagining the loyalty and rewards landscape. You will design and validate models, collaborate with technical and business teams, and ensure that solutions are scalable, robust, and strategically aligned.

Key Responsibilities

• 3 to 5 years of experience in machine learning engineering, applied AI, or data science

• Design, develop, and validate machine learning models for customer behaviour and rewards optimisation

• Collaborate with data engineers, solution architects, and client stakeholders to align technical solutions with business objectives

• Apply strong feature engineering, model evaluation, and reproducibility best practices

• Explore and test new modelling approaches to deliver measurable outcomes

• Ensure scalability and robustness with MLOps principles

• (Bonus) Contribute to operationalising AI solutions from POC to production

About You

• 3 to 5 years of proven experience building and deploying ML models in business contexts

• Strong proficiency in Python, SQL, and ML libraries (scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch)

• Solid understanding of model lifecycle management and cloud platforms (Azure preferred)

• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills in a consulting environment

• Experience in financial services, customer analytics, or loyalty/rewards is advantageous

• Bonus: Hands-on experience in productionising AI solutions

Contract Details

• Duration: 6 months (with potential extension)

• Location: Johannesburg or Cape Town (hybrid / remote-first flexibility)

• Start Date: Immediate availability preferred

Job Requirement and expertise :

• Analyzing Business Requirements for Data Science,Understanding Security Issues in Data Science
• Preparing Data for Analysis and Modeling. Building, Training, and Validating Models in Microsoft Azure
• Cleaning and Preparing Data in Microsoft Azure,Combining and Shaping Data
• Building Statistical Models in Microsoft Azure,Apply descriptive and inferential statistics to data using Microsoft Azure.
• Interpreting Data with Advanced Statistical Models . Exploring and Modelling Data in Microsoft Azure
• leverage Azure services , including the use of notebooks, data exploration tools, and model building.
• Exploring Data in Microsoft Azure Using Kusto Query Language and Azure Data Explorer
• Preparing Data for Feature Engineering and Machine Learning in Microsoft Azure
• Building Features from Nominal , Text Data and Numeric Data in Microsoft Azure
• Source, collect, and transform data into shapes appropriate for data modelling and machine learning
• Designing and Implementing Models: Developing and deploying Machine Learning models using Azure Machine Learning and other Azure services.
• Data Preparation: Cleaning, transforming, and preparing data for analysis and modelling.
• Algorithm Development: Crafting algorithms to solve complex business problems and optimize processes.
• Azure Notebooks, Azure's Data Science tools with integration in mind, ensuring they work seamlessly with popular open-source frameworks and libraries:
• Azure Machine Learning and Azure Data bricks natively support Python and R, and widely used languages in Data Science.
• integrates with TensorFlow, PyTorch, and other Deep Learning frameworks, providing scalable
• Azure services integrate with popular libraries like scikit-learn, pandas, and NumPy, to leverage familiar tools within a powerful cloud environment.
• Data manipulation libraries like Pandas, NumPy, and SQL for database management.
• Machine Learning concepts will enhance your ability to grasp complex algorithms and models. analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, and making informed decision including Azure Machine Learning, Azure Databricks, and Azure Synapse Analytics.

Tool set Experience:

• Azure Machine Learning
• Python3.8-Tensorflow-Pytorch
• Python3.8-AzureML
• R,R Spark – HDInsight
• Julia 1.6.0
• Jupyter Notebook
• Scala Spark – HDInsight
• Azure SQl
• Data Bricks
• Logistic Regression
• Azure Notebooks
• Azure Data Science Virtual Machine (DSVM)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: R300,00 - R500,00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

About talent match africa (tma)

talent match africa
is on a mission to unlock Africa's potential by connecting exceptional talent with organizations that are shaping the future. We don't just match skills to roles - we match people to possibilities. With a strong network across industries and a people-first approach, we help companies thrive while empowering professionals to build meaningful careers.

About this role

As a
Machine Learning Engineer
, you'll go beyond writing code to solving real-world problems with data. This role is about designing intelligent systems that learn and improve, tackling complex challenges that demand both creativity and technical depth. You'll thrive in collaboration, bringing ideas to life alongside a dynamic team.

What You'll Do

• Design, build, and deploy machine learning models and algorithms
• Develop scalable data pipelines for model training and inference
• Optimize models for performance and efficiency
• Collaborate with data scientists to bring research into production
• Monitor and maintain ML models in live environments
• Implement A/B testing frameworks to validate models
• Work with large-scale datasets and distributed computing systems
• Maintain and enhance existing ML systems

What We're Looking For

Required

• 3+ years of experience in machine learning and software development
• Proficiency in Python, R, or Scala
• Hands-on experience with ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn)
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure)
• Strong understanding of statistics and mathematics
• Experience with version control and software engineering best practices

Preferred

• Exposure to MLOps tools and practices
• Knowledge of containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Experience building real-time inference systems

Why tma?

At
talent match africa
, you're not just taking on a job, you're joining a movement. You'll work with innovative teams, get exposure to impactful projects, and be part of an ecosystem that's redefining how Africa connects to opportunities.

Are you passionate about leveraging AI to transform global industries? Do you have a proven track record of working with LLMs and building agentic solutions?

Join
Elixirr Digital
as a
Lead
AI Engineer
, where you will drive innovation and help shape the future of intelligent systems for clients across industries like banking, insurance, healthcare, telecommunications, consumer goods, and more. We're looking for proactive self-starters who are constantly reading research, applying it, and using AI to improve their processes, fully embracing the technology.

At
Elixirr Digital
, we've been on the cutting edge of generative AI from the beginning, developing our own platforms and deploying transformative solutions to global clients for several years. Our expertise spans working with early models like BERT to today's leading foundation and open-source models and leading frameworks like LangChain, AutoGen, Swarm, and to build innovative, agentic solutions. From underwriting agents that empower financial professionals to knowledge agents streamlining customer workflows, our solutions are revolutionizing industries by embedding AI at their core.

If you're excited to work at the forefront of generative AI, helping enterprises transform from the inside out, we want to hear from you. Let's build the future of AI together

What will you be doing as a Lead AI Engineer at Elixirr Digital?

• Design and Implement Solutions: Architect, design, and develop advanced AI systems with a focus on LLMs and agentic solutions that transform enterprise workflows.
• Lead and Collaborate: Lead teams, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with cross-functional experts to deliver AI-driven innovations.
• Drive Innovation: Work on a mix of internal R&D projects and enterprise-level solutions, building and optimizing tools for both internal and client use.
• Deploy at Scale: Develop and maintain production-ready AI solutions, ensuring scalability, performance, and reliability.
• End-to-End Lifecycle: Own and contribute to the entire AI development lifecycle—from research and prototyping to deployment and monitoring.
• Deliver Tangible Outcomes: Help global enterprises achieve measurable impact through solutions like underwriting agents, airport assistants, pharmacy workflow optimizers, and customer due diligence systems.

Competencies and skillset we expect you to have to successfully perform your job:

• Have Experience with LLMs: Hands-on experience working with LLMs, with demonstrated expertise in building and deploying agentic solutions using frameworks such as LangChain, AutoGen, Crew, or Swarm.
• Bring Technical Expertise: Solid background in programming and past experience in machine learning, with a deep understanding of at least one area such as deep learning, reinforcement learning, fine-tuning, or model development.
• Think Strategically: Ability to design and lead AI solutions while also contributing directly to development. Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills, with a proficiency in applying mathematical principles to analyze, model, and solve complex problems.
• Focus on Outcomes: Passion for transforming businesses and delivering measurable results through AI.
• Collaborate Effectively: Experience working in cross-functional teams, balancing R&D and production-level work.
• Are Innovation-Driven: Stay ahead of AI trends, continuously innovate by building and refining tools for internal and client use, and actively apply cutting-edge research to improve processes and develop scalable, impactful solutions.

Bonus points if you have:

• Proven track record of leading AI projects from concept to deployment.
• Strong understanding of the AI development lifecycle, with deep expertise in at least one part of the process.
• Examples of deployed AI systems demonstrating agentic capabilities.

We Could Be a Perfect Fit If You Are:

• Passionate about technology. You anticipate, recognize, and resolve technical problems using a variety of specialized tools for application development and support.
• Independent. You are a self-motivated and ambitious individual, capable of managing multiple responsibilities effectively.
• Problem-solver. You think creatively and find solutions to complex challenges.
• Creative and outside-the-box thinker. You look beyond blog posts and whitepapers, competitions, and even state-of-the-art benchmarks to solve real-world problems.
• Communicator. Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential to ensure effective collaboration and timely delivery of results within the team.
• Proficient in English. We work across continents in a global environment, so fluent English, both written and spoken is a must.

Why join Elixirr Digital?

• Global Impact: Work with top-tier clients across industries, solving real-world challenges with transformative AI solutions.
• Cutting-Edge Innovation: Develop and deploy AI tools and platforms that redefine what's possible in enterprise AI.
• Collaborative Culture: Join a team of innovators passionate about advancing AI while fostering a collaborative, inclusive environment.
• Diverse Projects: Tackle a wide range of AI applications—from NLP to reinforcement learning—for use cases as varied as field support for telecom workers and optimizing customer workflows in banks.

Why is Elixirr Digital the right next step for you?

From working with cutting-edge technologies to solving complex challenges for global clients, we make sure your work matters. And while you're building great things, we're here to support you.

Compensation & Equity:

• Performance bonus
• Employee Stock Options Grant
• Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Competitive compensation

Health & Wellbeing:

• Health benefits plan
• Flexible working hours
• Pension plan

Projects & Tools:

• Modern equipment
• Big clients and interesting projects
• Cutting-edge technologies

Learning & Growth:

• Growth and development opportunities
• Internal LMS & knowledge hubs

We don't just offer a job - we create space for you to grow, thrive, and be recognized.

Intrigued? Apply now

Job Purpose
The AI Tester will be responsible for validating the functionality, performance, and reliability of AI-driven systems and applications. This includes designing and executing test cases for machine learning models, automation flows, and intelligent features integrated into enterprise platforms.

Mandatory Skills

• Experience: At least 5 - 7 years in the field of test engineering.
• AI Tools: Familiarity with the Microsoft Responsible AI Toolbox, AI Foundry, and Guardrail. Knowledge of GPT-4.0 or other LLMs, as well as expertise in prompt engineering, is highly beneficial.
• Automation Tools: Significant expertise in automation tools such as Selenium, JMeter, LoadRunner, or Appium for automating web, mobile, and performance testing.
• CI/CD Integration: A strong grasp on continuous integration and continuous deployment tools such as Jenkins, Bamboo, or GitLab CI/CD to automate build and deployment processes.
• Quality Assurance: Thorough understanding of Quality Assurance principles, testing methodologies, and best practices. The ability to develop robust automation frameworks to ensure the highest standards of quality in our products.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in the Fintech/BFSI domain
• Availability for remote or onsite work
• Proficiency in automation and framework
• Expertise in validating data correction and hallucination
• Expertise in AzureDevOps or Jira
• Industry Standards: Understanding of software development methodologies like Agile, Scrum, and DevOps practices.

Roles And Responsibilities

• Role Focus: Testing and evaluating AI models
• Skills Required: Proficiency in testing and evaluating technology
• Work Environment: Agile model, collaboration with Development and Integration teams
• Independence: Ability to work independently and bring innovative ideas
• Daily and weekly test reporting
• Defect tracking
• Attending daily stand-up and retrospective meetings
• Problem-solving and root cause analysis
• Automation scripts and test case accuracy
• Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze test results, identify trends, and derive meaningful insights
• Desired Traits: Detail-oriented, innovative, analytical

Soft Skills

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to articulate complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively within cross functional teams, including developers, QA engineers, and product managers.
• Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to changing technologies, processes, and project requirements.
• Leadership: Capability to mentor junior team members, provide guidance, and lead automation initiatives.

*At least 5 years in the field of test engineering

*AI Tools: Familiarity with the Microsoft Responsible AI Toolbox, AI Foundry, and Guardrail.

*Experience in the Fintech/BFSI domain

* Proficiency in automation and framework and evaluating AI model