Company: Takealot Online (RF) (Pty) Ltd
Location: South Africa (Remote / Hybrid Options Available)
Job Type: Permanent
Work Schedule: Full-time
Experience Level: Mid to Senior-Level Software Engineer
Industry: E-commerce / Technology / Machine Learning
Functional Area: Software Engineering / Machine Learning
Date Posted: 10 November 2025
About Takealot Group
Takealot.com is South Africa’s leading online retailer, delivering over 4 million happy shoppers with seamless e-commerce experiences across its platforms, including Takealot.com and Mr D. Takealot fosters a high-growth, innovative, and collaborative environment, offering ambitious professionals the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies and grow within a fast-paced organization.
Takealot is an Equal Opportunity Employer, encouraging applications from previously disadvantaged groups and people with disabilities. Explore more career opportunities at Jobs and Career Opportunities South Africa.
Position Overview
Takealot is seeking a Software Engineer (Machine Learning) to join a versatile and creative development team. The successful candidate will design, build, and deploy machine learning models that power the e-commerce experience, from personalized recommendations to predictive analytics.
Reporting to the respective Engineering Manager, this role is ideal for candidates with a strong software development background and proven experience in applied machine learning.
Key Responsibilities
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Analyze large volumes of customer and operational data to develop actionable insights.
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Build, evaluate, and productionise machine learning models for real-world e-commerce applications.
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Collaborate with teammates on design, code reviews, and brainstorming new concepts.
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Implement best practices to improve existing ML models and contribute to the development of new ones.
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Keep up-to-date with emerging trends and developments in the machine learning domain.
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Contribute to building backend systems at scale with a strong focus on data processing and ML integration.
Skills & Attributes
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Creative, flexible, and a strong team player
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Data-oriented and solutions-driven
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Excellent communication skills and pride in delivering high-quality work
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Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
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Hands-on approach to problem-solving and continuous learning
Qualifications & Preferred Experience
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Education: Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (MSc or PhD advantageous)
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Experience (Mid-Level Role):
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3–7 years applying machine learning to real-world problems
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3–7 years commercial software development experience
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Experience (Senior-Level Role):
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5–10+ years applying machine learning to real-world problems
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5–10+ years commercial software development experience
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Strong knowledge of statistical analysis, modeling, and machine learning techniques
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Experience with Python, Linux, BigQuery, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn, and Pandas
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Experience deploying ML models to production environments
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Familiarity with data mining, Big Data processing, and backend system architecture
Bonus Skills
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MSc or PhD in relevant field
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Experience with cloud platforms (GCP or AWS)
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Experience with Elasticsearch and end-to-end ML frameworks (Kubeflow, TensorFlow Extended, MLflow)
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Serving ML models using TensorFlow Serving or KServe
Why Join Takealot Group
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Flexible Total Remuneration Package that allows autonomy over your work setup
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Remote and Hybrid Working Options for the best of both worlds
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Mentorship & Upskilling: Access to global learning platforms like MyAcademy, Udacity, and Coursera
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Inclusive & Collaborative Culture: Work alongside extraordinary minds to innovate and deliver impact
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Perks: Staff discounts, birthday leave, confidential counseling, free parking, and access to latest technology
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Career Growth: Opportunity to shape the future of machine learning in e-commerce
Equal Opportunity & Inclusion
Takealot Group is committed to equal employment opportunities, encouraging applications from previously disadvantaged groups and individuals with disabilities.
How to Apply
Submit your application via the Takealot Careers Portal or directly through Jobs and Career Opportunities South Africa.
Application Tips:
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Highlight machine learning and software engineering experience, especially applied ML in production environments
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Showcase experience with Python, TensorFlow/PyTorch, BigQuery, and backend system development
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Emphasize teamwork, creativity, and ability to deliver innovative solutions
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