Senior Data & AI Engineer

Job title : Senior Data & AI Engineer

About the Role

• This is a senior individual contributor role with leadership reach.
• You will design and build AI solutions that power Ubulu Africa's platforms and programmes, provide technical direction to the data and AI function, and shape the Ubulu AI Lab's research and advisory outputs.
• The work spans the full data and AI lifecycle - from data architecture and pipeline design through model development, deployment, and monitoring. 
• You bring technical depth, clear communication, and the maturity to know when to build, when to adapt, and when to advise.

Who You Will Do

• Lead the design and development of data infrastructure, AI models, and intelligent systems across Ubulu Africa's platforms and programmes
• Build production-ready AI solutions - taking work from concept through deployment, monitoring, and iteration
• Develop and maintain data architecture that is reliable, well-documented, and built to scale
• Apply machine learning, NLP, and AI agent frameworks to real innovation ecosystem and enterprise challenges
• Provide technical direction and mentorship to the Associate Data & AI Engineer, building a culture of rigour and continuous learning within the team
• Contribute research, insights, and advisory outputs under the Ubulu AI Lab identity - for clients, partners, and the broader ecosystem
• Collaborate with product, programme, and engineering colleagues to embed AI capabilities where they create the most value.

What You Bring

• 5 or more years of hands-on experience in data engineering, machine learning, or applied AI
• A clear track record of taking AI solutions from concept through to production deployment - and maintaining them well
• Strong foundations in data architecture, model development, and deployment pipelines
• Experience with NLP, conversational AI, or AI agent development is a strong advantage
• The ability to communicate complex AI concepts clearly to technical and non-technical audiences
• A collaborative and generative approach - you are as comfortable guiding a junior colleague as solving a hard technical problem
• Genuine interest in the role of AI in African development and innovation contexts
• Experience working in innovation ecosystems, enterprise, government, or international development is an advantage.