Senior AI Engineer

Job description / Role

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior AI Engineer to lead the strategy, design, deployment, and optimization of advanced AI systems. This is a hands-on, technical leadership role responsible for driving machine learning (ML), computer vision, large language model (LLM), and MLOps initiatives. We are looking for a UAE National and the ideal candidate will bring deep expertise across the AI stack, from model architecture to deployment, and thrive in a collaborative, cross-functional environment.

Key Responsibilities:

- Design, develop, and train advanced computer vision models including CNNs, Vision Transformers, and diffusion models for tasks such as image/video understanding, segmentation, and generation.
- Architect and implement on-premise large language models (LLMs) using platforms like Ollama, OpenWebUI, and PrivateGPT. This includes fine-tuning, quantization, and secure deployment.
- Optimize LLM pipelines for tasks like translation, summarization, semantic search, and prompt-based reasoning, ensuring performance, latency, and cost efficiency.
- Build and productionize retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) systems using frameworks such as LangChain and vector databases (e.g., Pinecone, FAISS, Milvus).
- Establish and maintain robust MLOps practices, including containerization (Docker), orchestration (Kubernetes), CI/CD pipelines, monitoring, and automated retraining.
- Develop and maintain REST and GraphQL APIs to serve ML models, manage inference workflows, and integrate with end-user applications.
- Lead edge AI deployments on platforms such as NVIDIA Jetson, focusing on performance-optimized, low-latency inference at the edge.
- Drive training and inference performance improvements using distributed training, mixed-precision computing, model parallelism, and tools like TensorRT, ONNX Runtime, and DeepSpeed.
- Collaborate with stakeholders—product managers, engineers, QA, and operations teams—to translate requirements into AI-driven solutions.
- Mentor junior engineers and promote best practices in experiment tracking, reproducibility, and knowledge sharing.
- Create technical documentation, proof-of-concept prototypes, performance benchmarks, and cost analyses to support decision-making.

Required Technical Skills and Experience:

- UAE National
- Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, AI/ML, or related field (PhD preferred).
- Minimum 5 years of experience in building and deploying computer vision models using TensorFlow and PyTorch.
- Experience with on-prem LLM hosting and customization (Ollama, PrivateGPT, OpenWebUI).
- Strong understanding of LLM applications including summarization, translation, prompt engineering, and semantic search.
- Experience in RAG system development, vector databases, and embedding techniques.
- Solid MLOps background: Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD, model monitoring (Prometheus, Grafana), and automation.
- Strong proficiency in Python and relevant ML libraries.
- Experience deploying models to edge devices (e.g., Jetson, ARM).
- Expertise in model optimization techniques (quantization, pruning, mixed precision) and performance tuning.
- Familiarity with cloud and hybrid infrastructure (AWS, Azure, GCP).

Desirable Qualifications:

- Experience in regulated or security-sensitive environments with knowledge of data privacy, secure AI deployment, and governance.
- Familiarity with tools for model monitoring, drift detection, and explainability.
- Background in AI R&D or productization of machine learning systems in industry.

Key Competencies:

- Strategic thinking and hands-on execution
- Technical leadership and team mentorship
- Strong cross-functional communication
- Problem-solving and delivery under tight timelines
- Commitment to high-quality, reproducible AI development

Performance Metrics:

- Time to production for POCs and models
- SLA-based model performance (accuracy, latency, uptime)
- Inference cost reduction and throughput gains
- Successful documentation and deployment handover
- Edge rollout success and reliability

Working Conditions and Benefits:

- Fast-paced, multidisciplinary R&D environment
- Competitive compensation and benefits
- Professional development allowance
- Opportunities to lead and shape strategic AI initiatives

Salary:
AED 35,000 to 40,000 per month inclusive of fixed allowances.

About the Company

Inspire Selection is an award winning recruitment agency, headquartered in Dubai which recruits across the Middle East region. We employ highly knowledgeable, professional consultants who are experts in connecting the right people with the right opportunities. Our reputation has been built upon our honesty, integrity and our ability to source candidates of the highest calibre right across our specialist sectors. As a result, we are recruitment partners to a wide spectrum of organisations - from leading blue chip companies to smaller, local businesses. Sectors we cover include HR, Administration, Finance & Accounting, Legal, Sales & Marketing including Digital Marketing, IT, Oil/Gas/Energy, Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, Higher Education.