AI Engineering Subject Matter Expert (Contract), Johannesburg

At peopleworth, we support work where people and performance thrive. As part of our Employer Group, we work with a variety of forward-thinking partners and are excited to share this opportunity that sits within our growing group.

Role Overview We are seeking an experienced AI Engineering Subject Matter Expert to lead the technical content design of a rigorous professional learning programme focused on production AI application engineering. This role focuses on defining, developing, and validating technical learning materials that reflect how modern AI systems are designed, deployed, evaluated, and governed in real-world environments.

Key Responsibilities

Develop technical source material for multiple sequential learning modules including code examples, system architecture references, case studies, assessment briefs, and worked solutions

Collaborate with learning designers to translate curriculum frameworks into technically accurate and production-relevant learning content

Participate in collaborative curriculum design sessions with academic contributors to refine programme scope, sequencing, and exit standards

Review learning materials throughout the development process to ensure technical accuracy, credibility, and alignment with current industry practices

Design summative assessments that reflect real-world AI engineering hiring and evaluation formats

Provide practitioner insight into the design of production AI application architectures and engineering workflows

Contribute expert insights to live masterclass or knowledge-sharing sessions following programme launch

Advise on the practical realities of building and deploying production AI applications, including common failure modes and operational challenges

Support the development of content covering evaluation methodologies, reliability patterns, governance considerations, and architectural decision-making for AI applications

Requirements

Demonstrated experience building and deploying production AI systems powered by large language models in recent industry environments

Strong software engineering foundations including testing practices, CI/CD pipelines, observability, and reliability engineering approaches

Practical experience implementing LLM-based application architectures including API integrations, prompt strategies, and structured outputs

Hands‑on experience with retrieval-augmented generation pipelines including embedding models, vector databases, hybrid search approaches, and retrieval evaluation

Familiarity with agent-based architectures including planning loops, memory strategies, tool integrations, and cost management patterns

Experience designing evaluation frameworks for AI applications including automated evaluation methods, regression testing approaches, and performance monitoring

Understanding of responsible AI practices including bias considerations, governance documentation, and auditability

Experience mentoring engineers, hiring technical talent, or assessing engineering capability in AI-related roles

Ability to collaborate effectively with technical and academic contributors on curriculum and learning design

Professional experience demonstrating subject expertise equivalent to postgraduate level knowledge in AI engineering or related fields

Benefits

Collaborative, people-centred performance culture

Opportunities to grow in a fast-paced environment

Flexible remote working arrangements

Opportunity to contribute expertise to the development of high-impact professional learning experiences

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