AI Engineer (Data Scientist), Sandton

Job Summary

Absa Group’s Chief Data Analytics and Applied AI Office (CDAIO) is seeking a highly skilled AI Engineer (Data Scientist) to design, develop, deploy, and govern production‑grade AI solutions. The role spans machine learning, generative AI, and agentic AI across four business units and ten countries, ensuring responsible AI and model risk management while delivering measurable business value.Responsibilities

Design, develop, test, and deploy production‑grade ML, generative AI, and agentic AI solutions using the CDAIO AI platform stack (Databricks, AWS Bedrock, Azure AI Foundry, HuggingFace), ensuring scalability, versioning, and auditability. Operate agentic AI systems (multi‑agent orchestration, human‑in‑the‑loop workflows, safety guardrails, memory architectures) using tools such as LangGraph, AutoGen, CrewAI, or AWS Bedrock Agents.Lead model risk management activities: prepare comprehensive documentation, deliver explainability, bias and fairness tests, obtain formal MRM sign‑off, and monitor ongoing performance in line with the Group’s Model Risk Management framework and regulatory frameworks (POPIA, NCA, IFRS9, BaselIII).Embed responsible AI controls into the CI/CD pipeline, produce model cards and datasheets, execute impact assessments for high‑risk use cases, and engage in AI governance forums. Champion MLOps practices: champion‑challenger testing, automated drift monitoring with retraining pipelines, model retirement, and quarterly performance reporting to the Head of AI Technology and Group Model Risk.Apply AI to priority banking domains—credit risk modelling (PD, LGD, EAD), fraud/AML detection, KYC automation, customer personalisation, and regulatory reporting—ensuring outputs align with IFRS9, BaselIII, and South African credit regulations. Mentor junior data scientists, conduct peer reviews of model development work, and contribute to the CDAIO AI practitioner community.Qualifications

Postgraduate degree (Master’s or PhD) in Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, or a related quantitative discipline. 8–12 years of progressive, production‑focused AI delivery experience in a regulated financial services environment. Proven deployment of at least one large language model, RAG, or agentic AI solution with documented business value and governance compliance.Experience preparing model documentation and engaging with a Model Risk Management function for formal sign‑off and ongoing monitoring. Knowledge of responsible AI governance, including bias, fairness, explainability, and impact assessment integrated into the engineering workflow. Expertise in Python, Scikit‑learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, HuggingFace, MLOps tools (MLflow, Kubeflow, Docker, Kubernetes,Airflow), and vector databases (OpenSearch, Pinecone, FAISS, Milvus).Understanding of credit risk, fraud/AML, IFRS9, BaselIII, and how model outputs interact with regulatory capital and reporting frameworks. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act55 of1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile.

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