Senior AI Engineer Architect

Lemon.io, a prominent platform connecting skilled tech professionals with innovative startups, is actively seeking a seasoned Senior AI Engineer and Architect to join their remote workforce. This opportunity is ideal for experienced individuals who thrive in dynamic environments and are eager to contribute their expertise to cutting-edge projects across the US and Europe. Lemon.io prides itself on facilitating strong working relationships between its talent pool and forward-thinking companies, ensuring that engineers can focus on technical excellence while the platform handles the business intricacies.

About the Role

As a Senior AI Engineer Architect at Lemon.io, you will be entrusted with high-level design and implementation of artificial intelligence solutions for a variety of startup clients. This senior position requires a strategic mindset, the ability to translate business needs into robust AI systems, and a deep understanding of modern AI frameworks and methodologies. You will have the autonomy to directly engage with clients, many of whom possess technical backgrounds, to ensure successful project outcomes. Lemon.io fosters a culture of respect for senior talent, meaning you can expect a hands-off management approach, allowing you to manage your own workflow and focus on delivering exceptional results without the burden of micromanagement or invasive tracking.

The core responsibilities of this role revolve around architecting, developing, and deploying sophisticated AI solutions. This will involve:

• Designing and implementing AI systems, with a particular focus on large language models (LLMs) and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) architectures.
• Leveraging your expertise with Python as the primary programming language, and potentially other relevant AI-centric languages.
• Integrating and optimising solutions involving vector databases, such as Pinecone or Weaviate.
• Utilising and extending frameworks like LangChain to build complex AI applications.
• Collaborating closely with clients to understand their requirements and provide technical leadership.
• Staying abreast of the latest advancements in AI and machine learning to propose innovative solutions.
• Working within fast-paced startup environments, requiring adaptability and a proactive approach.
• Contributing to a global community of developers, sharing knowledge and collaborating on technical challenges.

What They're Looking For

To excel in this role, candidates should possess a strong foundation in AI engineering with practical, commercial experience. Essential qualifications include:

• A minimum of three years of commercial experience applying AI to real-world technological challenges.
• Proficiency in Python is non-negotiable, with experience in other AI-related programming languages being a significant advantage.
• Mandatory experience with Large Language Models (LLMs) or vLLMs, ideally for two or more years.
• Proven expertise in implementing RAG systems or working with OpenAI technologies, with at least two years of experience.
• Hands-on experience with Vector Databases, specifically Pinecone or Weaviate.
• A minimum of two years of practical experience utilising the LangChain framework.
• Demonstrable strong technical acumen and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent command of English for clear and effective communication, both written and verbal.
• Highly developed self-organisational skills to effectively manage remote work and project timelines.
• A reliable and adaptable work ethic, capable of thriving in evolving startup settings.

For a senior AI engineering role in South Africa, particularly one involving LLMs and advanced AI frameworks, compensation can vary significantly based on experience and the specific technologies involved. Roles like this often attract competitive remuneration packages, sometimes including performance-based bonuses or equity. Common employers in South Africa for such positions include established tech companies with AI divisions, innovative startups, and consultancies specialising in digital transformation. The career trajectory for a Senior AI Engineer Architect is typically upwards, leading to lead architect, head of AI, or specialised research roles within organisations.

• 3+ years of commercial experience applying AI to practical technology solutions.
• A solid understanding of Python is a must; experience with other programming languages commonly used in AI is a plus.
• Experience with Vector Databases, Pinecone or Weaviate is required.
• 2+ years of experience with LangChain is mandatory.
• 2+ years of experience with large language models (LLMs) or vLLMs is mandatory.
• 2+ years of experience with RAG or OpenAI is required.
• Strong technical skills.
• Clear and effective communication in English.
• Strong self-organizational skills.
• Reliability.
• Adaptability and Flexibility.