SU - Back-End AI Software Developer
Somewhere
🇿🇦 Hirezar Summary for South African Applicants
This fully remote full time position at Somewhere is open to applicants from South Africa. The estimated monthly salary is R18,500 – R101,750 ZAR. This role is suited for mid-level professionals. As a remote position, you can work from anywhere in South Africa — whether you're based in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, or a smaller town.
Job Description
Back-End AI Software DeveloperLocation:South AfricaSalary Range:1000 - 5500 USDRole 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.
Tips for South African Applicants
Timezone Advantage
South Africa (SAST, UTC+2) overlaps well with European business hours and has a few hours of overlap with US East Coast. Mention your timezone flexibility in your application.
Salary in Context
At R18,500/month, this role is on par with the average South African remote salary. The USD equivalent ($1,000/mo) benefits from the favourable exchange rate.
Application Tips
Tailor your CV to international standards — use a clean format, highlight remote work experience, and include your English proficiency. Many SA applicants succeed by emphasising their strong work ethic and cultural adaptability.
Load Shedding Preparedness
If you're applying for a remote role, having a backup power solution (UPS, inverter, or generator) and mobile data as a backup internet connection shows employers you're prepared for South Africa's infrastructure challenges.
About Somewhere
Somewhere is a company in the Recruitment & Staffing industry that hires remote workers from South Africa. They currently have 614 open positions on Hirezar. View all Somewhere jobs →