Senior AI Engineer, Big Data & AI Solutions

Mastercard Inc.; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 111,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Mastercard is seeking a Senior AI Engineer in Vancouver to advance AI and big data capabilities within Security Solutions Data Science. You will help improve models, data assets, and production workflows for fraud detection in real time.

The role emphasizes feature engineering, model monitoring, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable AI-driven solutions. A Master’s or Bachelor’s in a related field is required, with strong Python, PySpark, SQL skills.

Qualifications

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, AI, ML, Data Science, Engineering or related field; equivalent practical experience.
• Proficiency in Python, PySpark and SQL with distributed data processing experience.
• Hands-on with Databricks, Airflow, Hadoop, Linux/Unix and cloud-native tech; strong ML/DL knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Support ML models for detecting cyber-attacks, fraud and improve decision intelligence.
• Create data pipelines and feature engineering workflows for model development.
• Process and analyze large-scale datasets to improve model inputs and insights.
• Strengthen monitoring, observability, and drift detection across production.
• Apply MLOps practices to boost reliability, efficiency and scalability.
• Develop AI-powered solutions addressing engineering challenges and ops workflows.
• Collaborate with Data Scientists, Engineers and Product teams to productionize features.

Skills

Python

PySpark

SQL

Feature engineering

Model monitoring

Education

Master’s or Bachelor’s in CS/AI/ML/Data Science/Engineering

Tools

Databricks

Airflow

Hadoop

Linux/Unix

Cloud-native technologies

Job description

Title and Summary Senior AI Engineer, Big Data & AI Solutions

Our Purpose Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

Who is Mastercard?

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart, and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments, and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.

Overview

The Security Solutions Data Science team develops AI and machine learning capabilities that help protect the global payments ecosystem from fraud and cyber threats. Supporting Mastercard's Safety Net product, the team creates and enhances models that analyze billions of transactions and identify suspicious activity in real time. As a Senior AI Engineer, you will work at the intersection of AI engineering and big data engineering, helping improve the models, data assets, and operational processes that power fraud detection. You will collaborate closely with Data Scientists and Engineers to strengthen feature engineering, advance model monitoring capabilities, and deliver AI-driven solutions that improve performance and efficiency.

Role

As a Senior AI Engineer, you will:

• Support machine learning models that help detect cyber-attacks, fraud and improve decision intelligence.
• Create data pipelines and feature engineering workflows that enable model development and evaluation.
• Process and analyze large-scale datasets to uncover insights and improve model inputs.
• Strengthen monitoring, observability, and drift detection capabilities across production environments.
• Apply automation and MLOps practices to improve reliability, efficiency, and scalability.
• Develop AI-powered solutions that address engineering challenges and streamline operational processes.
• Partner with Data Scientists, Engineers, and Product teams to bring new capabilities into production.
• Contribute ideas that improve model performance, operational visibility, and team productivity.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree with relevant experience, or Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field; equivalent practical experience will also be considered.
• Proficiency in Python, PySpark, SQL, and distributed data processing.
• Hands-on experience with feature engineering, large-scale data processing, and analytics.
• Hands-on experience with Databricks, Airflow, Hadoop, Linux/Unix, cloud-native technologies
• Understanding of machine learning and deep learning techniques.
• Understanding of model deployment, evaluation, monitoring, and optimization.
• Knowledge of MLOps concepts including testing, automation, CI/CD, and version control.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts and collaborate across teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Fraud, cybersecurity, payments, or risk management domains.
• Experience with Generative AI, LLMs, RAG, or agentic AI applications.
• Familiar with AI-assisted development tools such as GitHub Copilot, or Claude Code.
• Experience working with cloud-based data and AI environments.

Mastercard is a merit‑based, inclusive, equal opportunity employer that considers applicants without regard to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disabled or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We hire the most qualified candidate for the role. In the US or Canada, if you require accommodations or assistance to complete the online application process or during the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail] and identify the type of accommodation or assistance you are requesting. Do not include any medical or health information in this email. The Reasonable Accommodations team will respond to your email promptly.

Corporate Security Responsibility

All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must: Abide by Mastercard’s security policies and practices; Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed; Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard’s guidelines.

In line with Mastercard’s total compensation philosophy and assuming that the job will be performed in Canada, the successful candidate will be offered a competitive pay based on location, experience and other qualifications for the role and may be eligible to participate in a discretionary annual incentive program.

Pay Ranges Vancouver, Canada: $111,000 - $160,000 CAD

Everyone wants easier ways to pay; we invent them. Checkout lines are slow; we speed them along. Merchants want more sales; we give them data and insights. People need financial access; we connect them. Corporate purchasing is complicated; we make it simple. Commuters are busy; we speed them on their way. Governments need greater efficiencies; we help create them. Small businesses are virtual; we give them access to a world of buyers. Retailer want to fight fraud; we provide the tools.