Back-End AI Software Developer

Location: South Africa Salary Range: 1000 - 5500 USD Role Description: The Back-End AI Software Developer is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining scalable server-side infrastructure that supports AI-powered applications and services. This role works closely with machine learning engineers, data scientists, and front-end developers to implement APIs, data pipelines, and integrations with AI models and frameworks. The ideal candidate has strong back-end development experience and a solid understanding of deploying, managing, and optimizing AI and ML systems in production environments. Key Responsibilities: * Design and develop robust, secure, and scalable back-end systems and APIs to support AI-driven features. * Integrate machine learning models (via frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, Hugging Face) into production-ready applications. * Develop and maintain RESTful or GraphQL APIs for use by front-end teams and external services. * Collaborate with AI/ML engineers to deploy, serve, and monitor models efficiently using tools like FastAPI, Flask, Django, or Node.js. * Optimize inference performance and manage versioning and scaling of AI models. * Implement data pipelines for training, inference, and feedback loops using cloud and big data tools. * Set up and manage infrastructure on cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) including CI/CD pipelines, containers (Docker), and orchestration (Kubernetes). * Ensure system security, compliance, and data protection throughout all back-end operations. * Monitor system performance, troubleshoot issues, and improve backend scalability and reliability. * Collaborate cross-functionally in agile development cycles with product managers, front-end developers, and data teams. Qualifications: * Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field. * 3+ years of experience in back-end development, with a strong command of Python, Node.js, or Java. * Experience working with AI/ML model deployment in real-time or batch environments. * Familiarity with AI frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, or Hugging Face Transformers. * Strong experience with RESTful API development, microservices architecture, and asynchronous processing. * Proficient in database technologies (SQL, NoSQL) and data modeling. * Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, Git, and CI/CD workflows. * Knowledge of cloud environments and services (e.g., AWS Lambda, EC2, S3, SageMaker; or equivalents in GCP/Azure). * Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently or in a collaborative team setting. Preferred Skills: * Experience with MLOps tools and model lifecycle management. * Familiarity with message brokers (Kafka, RabbitMQ) and task queues (Celery, Redis). * Understanding of data privacy regulations and security best practices in AI applications. * Exposure to large language models (LLMs) and prompt engineering concepts. * Background in SaaS, fintech, healthcare tech, or other AI-heavy domains is a plus. Details: * Independent contractor agreement paid 2x monthly. * Client has a desire for long term commitment.