AI Systems Engineer (Cyber Detection Engineering)

BMO; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 83,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Accident and life insurance

Retirement savings plans

Job summary

BMO Financial Group is seeking an AI Systems Engineer (Detection Engineering) to design and operate AI-driven detection systems, focusing on agent orchestration, workflow automation, and token-efficient AI usage. This role supports the organization’s transition to a Modern SOC with AI workflows and orchestrated agents.

The candidate will develop detections within the cybersecurity domain using automation pipelines, LLMs, and deterministic code, while ensuring scalable, repeatable outputs and

Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree or higher in Cybersecurity or Engineering or any other relevant discipline.
• Hands-on experience using modern AI tools both personally and professionally.
• Proven expertise working with frontier LLMs (e.g., Claude, GPT-class models)
• Experience designing or implementing AI workflows, Multi-agent or orchestrated systems, Tool-augmented LLM pipelines
• Strong understanding of Prompt engineering, Context window management, Token optimization strategies
• Experience building deterministic systems alongside AI (e.g., Python-based workflows, services, or automation)
• Strong programming skills (e.g., Python or similar)
• Foundational experience in cybersecurity (e.g., SOC, detection engineering, or security tooling)
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, fast-evolving environments

Responsibilities

• Designing AI systems, not writing cyber detections manually, where cyber detections are generated, validated, and maintained by AI workflows
• Orchestrating agents and workflows, not relying on single-model reasoning
• Using AI selectively and efficiently, combining LLMs with deterministic code (e.g., Python) wherever more reliable
• Translate detection requirements into: Structured prompts, Agent workflows, Deterministic processing pipelines
• Focus on system design over manual implementation, ensuring outputs are scalable and repeatable
• Design Agent Orchestration & Workflow Engineering (Design and implement multi-agent systems for detection engineering, including: Orchestrators that break down complex tasks, Specialized sub-agents for Detection generation, Tuning and false-positive reduction, Context enrichment, Documentation and validation)
• Define and optimize agent interaction patterns (chaining, feedback loops, tool usage)
• Integrate agent workflows into engineering and operational pipelines
• Intelligent Use of AI vs Deterministic Code by designing solutions that minimize unnecessary reliance on LLM reasoning
• Build orchestration tooling and deterministic workflows (e.g., Python services, rule engines, validation layers)
• Perform Context Engineering (window optimization, compression, re-use, RAG, stateless/stateful workflow design) & Token Optimization (token consumption, latency, cost)
• Act as a subject matter expert in commercial AI tooling, including: GitHub Copilot, Claude (Sonnet / Opus) or equivalent frontier LLMs, Enterprise AI platforms (e.g., AWS Bedrock or similar)
• Detection‑as‑Code & Pipeline Integration of AI systems into detection‑as‑code pipelines, ensuring detection artifacts are generated, validated, and deployed automatically, outputs are versioned, traceable, and auditable, embed AI workflows into CI/CD processes for detection generation, testing and validation, continuous tuning and maintenance
• Cybersecurity Context & Detection Enablement (guide AI systems, including Adversary behaviors and attack techniques, Threat intelligence and incident learnings).

Skills

AI tools

LLMs

AI workflows

Multi-agent systems

Prompt engineering

Python scripting

Cybersecurity basics

Ambiguity tolerance

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Cybersecurity or Engineering

Tools

GitHub Copilot

Claude / GPT-class

AWS Bedrock

Splunk SOAR

Python

Job description

This role is HYBRID (2 days/week work in office).

This role is within the Detection Engineering & Automation function of the Global Security Operations Center (GSOC) within the Cybersecurity domain. The AI Systems Engineer (Detection Engineering) is responsible for designing and operating AI‑driven detection engineering systems, with a focus on agent orchestration, workflow automation, and token‑efficient AI usage. This role is central to the organization’s transition to a Modern SOC, where detection development is performed primarily by LLMs, automation pipelines, and orchestrated agent systems, rather than manual engineering. Development of detections within the cybersecurity domain for the purposes of identifying external threats attempting to compromise the organization is the core focus area for this role.

Key Accountabilities

• Designing AI systems, not writing cyber detections manually, where cyber detections are generated, validated, and maintained by AI workflows
• Orchestrating agents and workflows, not relying on single-model reasoning
• Using AI selectively and efficiently, combining LLMs with deterministic code (e.g., Python) wherever more reliable
• Experienced with commercial AI tools and frontier models, actively explores the cutting edge, and understands how to engineer systems that minimize cost, maximize reliability, and avoid unnecessary AI usage.
• Translate detection requirements into: Structured prompts, Agent workflows, Deterministic processing pipelines
• Focus on system design over manual implementation, ensuring outputs are scalable and repeatable
• Design Agent Orchestration & Workflow Engineering (Design and implement multi-agent systems for detection engineering, including: Orchestrators that break down complex tasks, Specialized sub-agents for Detection generation, Tuning and false-positive reduction, Context enrichment, Documentation and validation)
• Define and optimize agent interaction patterns (chaining, feedback loops, tool usage)
• Integrate agent workflows into engineering and operational pipelines
• Intelligent Use of AI vs Deterministic Code by designing solutions that minimize unnecessary reliance on LLM reasoning
• Build orchestration tooling and deterministic workflows (e.g., Python services, rule engines, validation layers)
• Perform Context Engineering (window optimization, compression, re-use, RAG, stateless/stateful workflow design) & Token Optimization (token consumption, latency, cost)
• Act as a subject matter expert in commercial AI tooling, including: GitHub Copilot, Claude (Sonnet / Opus) or equivalent frontier LLMs, Enterprise AI platforms (e.g., AWS Bedrock or similar)
• Detection‑as‑Code & Pipeline Integration of AI systems into detection‑as‑code pipelines, ensuring detection artifacts are generated, validated, and deployed automatically, outputs are versioned, traceable, and auditable, embed AI workflows into CI/CD processes for detection generation, testing and validation, continuous tuning and maintenance
• Cybersecurity Context & Detection Enablement (guide AI systems, including Adversary behaviors and attack techniques, Threat intelligence and incident learnings).

Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree or higher in Cybersecurity or Engineering or any other relevant discipline
• Deep, hands‑on experience using modern AI tools both personally and professionally
• Proven expertise working with frontier LLMs (e.g., Claude, GPT-class models)
• Experience designing or implementing AI workflows, Multi-agent or orchestrated systems, Tool-augmented LLM pipelines
• Strong understanding of Prompt engineering, Context window management, Token optimization strategies
• Experience building deterministic systems alongside AI (e.g., Python-based workflows, services, or automation)
• Strong programming skills (e.g., Python or similar)
• Foundational experience in cybersecurity (e.g., SOC, detection engineering, or security tooling)
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, fast‑evolving environments

Nice to Have

• Experience with AWS Bedrock or similar enterprise AI platforms
• Experience with Splunk, SIEM, or detection engineering workflows
• Exposure to SOAR platforms, particularly Splunk SOAR
• Experience generating or managing SOAR playbooks via AI or automation
• Familiarity with detection-as-code, CI/CD, or DevOps practices
• Experience working in regulated environments

Salary

$82,800.00 - $154,800.00

Pay Type

Salaried

The above represents BMO Financial Group’s pay range and type. Salaries will vary based on factors such as location, skills, experience, education, and qualifications for the role, and may include a commission structure. Salaries for part‑time roles will be pro‑rated based on number of hours regularly worked. For commission roles, the salary listed above represents BMO Financial Group’s expected target for the first year in this position. BMO Financial Group’s total compensation package will vary based on the pay type of the position and may include performance‑based incentives, discretionary bonuses, as well as other perks and rewards. BMO also offers health insurance, tuition reimbursement, accident and life insurance, and retirement savings plans. To view more details of our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.bmo.com/global/en/Total-Rewards

About Us

At BMO we are driven by a shared Purpose: Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. It calls on us to create lasting, positive change for our customers, our communities and our people. By working together, innovating and pushing boundaries, we transform lives and businesses, and power economic growth around the world.

As a member of the BMO team you are valued, respected and heard, and you have more ways to grow and make an impact. We strive to help you make an impact from day one – for yourself and our customers. We’ll support you with the tools and resources you need to reach new milestones, as you help our customers reach theirs. From in-depth training and coaching, to manager support and network-building opportunities, we’ll help you gain valuable experience, and broaden your skillset.

To find out more visit us at https://jobs.bmo.com/ca/en

BMO is committed to an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace. By learning from each other’s differences, we gain strength through our people and our perspectives. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. To request accommodation, please contact your recruiter.