Principal Engineer, AI & ML Solutions

RBC; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses

Flexible benefits

Stock options

Job summary

RBC is seeking a Principal Engineer, AI & ML Solutions, to build a new AI product from the ground up within the Global Functions Technology (GFT) team in Vancouver. You will lead cross-functional teams, drive innovation, and guide ML initiatives to deliver high-impact results.

The role requires 10+ years in software/platform engineering with AI/ML focus, deep systems knowledge, and hands-on data engineering experience with Python, PySpark, Databricks, Airflow, Kafka, and Snowflake.

Qualifications

• 10+ years software or platform engineering experience with AI/ML focus.
• Strong knowledge of algorithms, data structures, systems engineering, reliability and debugging.
• Hands-on data engineering platforms/tools: Python, PySpark, Databricks, Airflow, Kafka, Snowflake.

Responsibilities

• Direct planning, execution, and oversight of new AI product development and resource allocation.
• Lead multiple teams and senior managers to ensure effective leadership and adherence to policies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify business opportunities via AI technologies and monitor ML systems.
• Lead development and implementation of advanced ML algorithms with scalable alignment to strategy.
• Drive independent decision-making on program and technical strategy across units.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to managers and senior staff.
• Drive innovation and identify operational improvements in ML development.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration to drive business outcomes.

Skills

AI/ML infra

API platform eng

distributed systems

Python

PySpark

Databricks

Airflow

Kafka

Snowflake

Node.js

Apigee

RAG systems

vector search

prompting

Tools

Databricks

Airflow

Kafka

Snowflake

Job description

What is the Opportunity?

We are looking for a Principal Engineer, AI & ML Solutions, to join our Global Functions Technology (GFT) team! In this role you'll lead the building of a new AI product from the ground up managing resources, driving innovation, and collaborating across teams to deliver impactful results. You'll direct the management of multiple teams in machine learning development, focusing on strategy implementation.

Job Description

We are looking for a Principal Engineer, AI & ML Solutions, to join our Global Functions Technology (GFT) team! In this role you'll lead the building of a new AI product from the ground up managing resources, driving innovation, and collaborating across teams to deliver impactful results. You'll direct the management of multiple teams in machine learning development, focusing on strategy implementation.

GFT is part of RBC’s Technology and Operations division. GFT’s impact is far-reaching as we collaborate with partners from across the company to deliver innovative and transformative IT solutions. Our clients represent Risk, Finance, HR, CAO, Audit, Legal, Compliance, Financial Crime, Capital Markets, Personal and Commercial Banking and Wealth Management. We also lead the development of digital tools and platforms to enhance collaboration.

Are you a talented, creative, and results-driven professional who thrives on delivering high-performing applications. Come join us!

What will you do?

• Directs the planning, execution, and oversight of new AI product, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and delivering both short and long term impact on schedules, quality, compliance, and resource allocation.
• Manages and guides teams, including senior managers to ensure effective leadership, operational efficiency, and adherence to organizational policies and procedures.
• Collaborates with cross functional teams and stakeholders to identify and develop business opportunities through the application of artificial intelligence technologies, while monitoring and optimizing machine learning systems.
• Leads the development and implementation of advanced machine learning algorithms and systems, addressing complex technical challenges and ensuring their scalability and alignment with organizational strategies.
• Manages machine learning development initiatives of significant complexity, applying advanced technical expertise to solve abstract problems, and making independent decisions across business units.
• Makes independent decisions on program, technical or operational strategy for the department, providing leadership, coaching and mentorship through senior managers and managers. Sets strategic direction for the department or area receiving high level direction from senior leaders.
• Drives innovation across areas of responsibility identifying opportunities for making operational changes and practices, solving highly complex problems broadly related to machine learning development.
• Leads cross functional collaboration efforts, fostering strong internal relationships across the organization and external relationships to drive business outcomes.

What do you need to succeed?

• 10+ years software or platform engineering experience, with at least 5 years focused on AI/ML infrastructure, API platform engineering, or large-scale distributed systems
• Strong knowledge of algorithms and data structures, plus systems engineering fundamentals, reliability, performance, and debugging.
• Hands on experience with data engineering platforms and tools, commonly including Python, PySpark, Databricks, Airflow, Kafka, Snowflake, and modern data integration patterns.
• Experience building production services and APIs, including service design, authentication and authorization, and integration patterns, Node.js and Apigee are a plus.
• Practical experience delivering AI powered systems, including one or more of:
• RAG systems and vector search, embeddings, reranking, and grounding strategies
• LLM application development, structured outputs, prompt and tool calling, orchestration patterns
• AI evaluation, test harnesses, regression testing, and lifecycle management for prompts and models
• Observability for AI systems, tracing, monitoring, alerting, and cost controls

What’s in it for you?

We thrive on the challenge to be our best, progressive thinking to keep growing, and working together to deliver trusted advice to help our clients thrive and communities prosper. We care about each other, reaching our potential, making a difference to our communities, and achieving success that is mutual.

• A comprehensive Total Rewards Program including bonuses and flexible benefits, competitive compensation, commissions, and stock where applicable
• Leaders who support your development through coaching and managing opportunities
• Ability to make a difference and lasting impact
• Work in a dynamic, collaborative, progressive, and high-performing team
• A world-class training program in financial services
• Flexible work/life balance options
• Opportunities to do challenging work

Job Skills

Big Data Management, Data Modeling, Data Science, Decision Making, Deep Learning, Machine Learning (ML), Predictive Analytics, Programming Languages, Relationship Building

Additional Job Details

Address: 745 THURLOW ST:VANCOUVER

City: Vancouver

Country: Canada

Work hours/week: 37.5

Employment Type: Full time

Platform: TECHNOLOGY AND OPERATIONS

Job Type: Regular

Pay Type: Salaried

Posted Date: 2026-04-22

Application Deadline: 2026-09-24

Note

Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the application deadline date above

Our Employment Opportunities

At RBC, we are guided by living shared values of Client First, Integrity, Collaboration, Respect and Excellence and winning together as One RBC. We believe an inclusive workplace that has diverse perspectives is core to our continued growth as one of the largest and most successful banks in the world. Maintaining a workplace where our employees feel supported to perform at their best, effectively collaborate, drive innovation, and grow professionally helps to bring our Purpose to life and create value for our clients and communities. RBC strives to deliver this through policies and programs intended to foster a workplace based on respect, belonging and opportunity for all.