Lead AI Applied Engineer: RA SC SFP (Lynnwood) (JG 11)

What will you do?

The candidate will be responsible for designing, building, and operationalising AI-enabled capabilities that accelerate SFP’s modernisation agenda and enhance advisor productivity, client experience, and business performance. This is a hands-on, delivery-focused role at the intersection of business, data, and technology, with duties comparable to Forward Deployed Engineer and AI Engineer roles.

Core Responsibilities:
•    Design, build, and operationalise AI-enabled solutions across SFP platforms, systems, and advisor journeys.
•    Identify and deliver automation and process optimisation opportunities across the business.
•    Develop data, insights, and decisioning capabilities that support advisory, operational, and compliance needs.
•    Deliver AI responsibly, within Group and SFP governance, risk, and compliance frameworks.
•    Drive experimentation and innovation, contributing to an AI-first culture within SFP.
•    Collaborate with business, technology, data, and governance stakeholders across SFP and the Group.

What will make you successful in this role?

The successful candidate will combine strong technical capability with business acumen, translating high-value opportunities into practical AI-enabled solutions. Success in this role will require the ability to:
•    Convert business challenges into scalable AI, automation, and digital solutions that deliver measurable value.
•    Lead initiatives end-to-end, from ideation and experimentation through deployment, adoption, and continuous improvement.
•    Balance innovation with governance, ensuring solutions remain compliant, secure, and explainable.
•    Combine strategic thinking with hands-on delivery across solution design, implementation, and optimisation.
•    Engage confidently with business, technology, data, compliance, and executive stakeholders.

Qualification and Experience:
•    Degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, or a related field. A Master’s degree will be advantageous.
•    Minimum 5 years’ hands-on experience building and deploying AI, machine learning, data, or advanced analytics solutions.

Knowledge and Skills:
•    Applied AI/ML, automation, and advanced analytics techniques.
•    Modern programming, data engineering, and cloud technologies.
•    Solution design and business process analysis.
•    Working within regulated and governed environments.
•    Agile and product-based delivery approaches.

Personal Qualities: 
•    Cultivates innovation.
•    Strong business and commercial thinking.
•    Results-driven with a focus on value delivery.
•    Action-oriented, adaptable, and collaborative.
•    Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Key Deliverables:
•    AI-enabled capabilities embedded into SFP platforms and operations.
•    Measurable productivity, efficiency, and client experience gains.
•    Delivery aligned to governance, risk, and compliance standards and SFP’s modernisation roadmap.

Personal Attributes

Build a successful career with us

We’re all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future – your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping  our employees to realise their worth. Through its five business clusters – Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, Santam, as well as MiWay and the Group Office – the group provides many opportunities for growth and development.

Core Competencies

Turnaround time

•    The closing date for applications is 31 August 2026

The recruiter reserves the right to withdraw the advertisement prior to the closing date or to allow further applications to be submitted after the closing date indicated.  

The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers.  

Our aim is to help you build a successful career with us 

We’re all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future – your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping our employees to realise their worth. Through its business clusters – Life and Savings, Sanlam Emerging Markets, Sanlam Corporate, Sanlam Investment, Santam, as well as the Group Office – the group provides many opportunities for growth and development. 

Our commitment to transformation