Principal AI/ML Engineer

About DeepLight AI

DeepLight AI is a distinguished AI and data consultancy focused on revolutionizing the corporate sector in the region through tailored, powerful intelligent systems. Leveraging in-depth quantitative knowledge, state-of-the-art cloud infrastructure, and modern machine learning operations (MLOps), we develop dependable, scalable platforms designed to drive enterprise AI effectively.

With solid expertise in the UAE's financial services and banking domains, we assist major organizations in transitioning from experimental models to robust, production-ready AI systems. Our commitment is to deliver reliable, banking-grade AI implementations that support critical enterprise transformations, avoiding temporary solutions or isolated prototypes.

Role Overview

We invite a highly qualified Principal AI/ML Engineer to act as a technical leader, mentor, and trusted advisor for senior clients in significant enterprise projects within the UAE. This role combines deep expertise in quantitative science, deep learning architectures, modern MLOps, and strategic consulting.

You will head multidisciplinary teams comprising AI engineers, data scientists, and data engineers, translating complex executive goals into effective, production-quality machine learning and Generative AI solutions. The role requires navigating organizational dynamics with high emotional intelligence and diplomacy.

Key Duties

• Design, construct, and deploy enterprise-level machine learning models, deep learning workflows, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) frameworks, and large language model (LLM) agent systems on modern cloud platforms, including AWS and Azure.
• Serve as the chief technical consultant for client executives, including C-suite members, Chief AI Officers, and engineering leadership. Translate intricate business challenges into clear technical plans, validation frameworks, and delivery timelines.
• Lead and cultivate a team of AI engineers and quantitative experts, fostering a culture of psychological safety, continuous growth, and technical excellence through hands-on guidance and active listening.
• Apply high emotional intelligence to mitigate project conflicts, align divergent business and IT priorities, and justify technical decisions, explainability models, and AI ethics before architecture review and risk committees.
• Develop zero-trust AI security measures, including prompt injection protection, personally identifiable information (PII) masking, and automated CI/CD pipelines that comply with regional Central Bank regulations and data sovereignty laws.

Candidate Profile

• A Master's or Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Theoretical Physics, Physics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative discipline.
• At least 8 years’ experience in software engineering, machine learning, and AI platform development, with significant leadership roles within top technology or management consulting firms.
• Proven capability to build genuine trust with clients, understand organizational behavior, resolve technical challenges constructively, and lead teams with empathy and clarity.
• Advanced expertise with modern AI frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, Hugging Face, LangChain/LlamaIndex; proficiency in vector databases, container orchestration tools (Docker, Kubernetes), and cloud MLOps platforms like AWS SageMaker and Azure OpenAI.
• Successful record of moving complex AI/ML projects from experimental notebook stages to secure, scalable production deployments in cloud environments.
• Experience in financial services, banking, or capital markets sectors is highly beneficial.

Additional Advantages

• Hands-on knowledge of parameter-efficient fine-tuning techniques (LoRA, QLoRA), quantization methods, and serving open-weight large language models (vLLM, Ollama, Text Generation Inference).
• Practical experience architecting concurrent multi-cloud AI solutions across AWS and Azure within regulated sectors.
• Familiarity with enterprise procurement processes, client engagement strategies, and regional regulatory frameworks in the UAE or GCC.

Employee Benefits

• Competitive remuneration package.
• Comprehensive Gold Level personal health insurance coverage.
• Individualized visa sponsorship.
• Support for professional growth and certifications.
• Subscription reimbursements related to the role.
• Opportunities to contribute to innovative AI projects.
• Monthly employee incentive programs.
• Potential for upward career mobility within an expanding AI company.

Diversity and Inclusion

DeepLight AI embraces diversity as a key driver of innovation. We are devoted to creating an inclusive environment that nurtures different perspectives and talents, ensuring a fair and accessible application and interview process. We welcome requests for accommodations during the recruitment process, maintaining confidentiality and ensuring equal opportunity for all candidates.