Senior Forward Deployed AI Engineer (Python, Data & GenAI)

Astra-North Infoteck Inc.; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Astra-North Infoteck Inc. seeks a senior Forward Deployed Engineer blending production-grade software, data engineering, and AI app development.

You will work with business users and engineers to map workflows, validate with data, and drive solutions from prototype to production with robust handover, monitoring, and optimization. You will build AI-powered data applications using Python, PySpark, SQL, REST APIs, FastAPI, and cloud platforms.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in data engineering, AI application development, cloud data platforms, and production software engineering.
• Strong hands-on expertise in Python, PySpark, SQL, REST APIs, FastAPI, Git, Docker, Kubernetes, Airflow, MLflow, CI/CD, and distributed processing.
• Experience with Claude, prompt engineering, RAG, vector databases, semantic search, and agentic AI patterns.
• Strong knowledge of ETL/ELT, batch and streaming pipelines, data quality, metadata, lineage, observability, and DataOps.
• Experience operationalizing MLOps/LLMOps, including model lifecycle management, automated deployment, monitoring, rollback, and production support.

Responsibilities

• Map workflows, users, data, constraints, and decision points with SMEs, product owners, and engineers.
• Agree on the first useful release, measurable success criteria, and a practical roadmap from prototype to production.
• Design, develop, and deploy enterprise AI and data applications using Python, PySpark, SQL, REST APIs, FastAPI, and cloud data platforms.
• Build Claude-powered applications, copilots, and AI workflows using prompt engineering, RAG, vector databases, semantic search, and agentic AI patterns.
• Design batch, real-time, and streaming data pipelines and integrations across enterprise systems.
• Implement MLOps/LLMOps capabilities with lifecycle management, CI/CD, monitoring, deployment automation, and production support.
• Measure adoption and business impact using KPIs and handover with runbooks.

Skills

Python

PySpark

SQL

REST APIs

FastAPI

Git

Docker

Kubernetes

Airflow

MLflow

CI/CD

distributed processing

Claude

prompt engineering

RAG

vector databases

semantic search

agentic AI patterns

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline

Tools

Cloud data platforms

Job description

TheOpportunity

We are looking for a senior Forward Deployed Engineer who combines production-grade software engineering, data engineering, AI application development, and client-facing consulting. You will work closely with business users, subject matter experts, product owners, and engineering teams to understand complex workflows, rapidly validate solutions using real data, remove technical blockers, and own delivery through production launch, stabilization, adoption, and handover.

WhatYouWillDo

Work with subject matter experts, product owners, business users, and engineers to map workflows, users, data, constraints, and decision points.

Agree on the first useful release, measurable success criteria, and a practical roadmap from prototype to production.

Profile unfamiliar data using Python, pandas, PySpark, and SQL to assess coverage, quality, volumes, distributions, edge cases, and feasibility.

Build working solutions using real data and APIs, validate them with users, and iteratively harden them for production.

Design, develop, and deploy enterprise AI and data applications using Python, PySpark, SQL, REST APIs, FastAPI, and cloud data platforms.

Build Claude-powered applications, copilots, and AI workflows using prompt engineering, RAG, vector databases, semantic search, and agentic AI patterns.

Design batch, real-time, and streaming data pipelines and integrations across enterprise systems.

Implement MLOps/LLMOps capabilities, including lifecycle management, CI/CD, MLflow, monitoring, deployment automation, rollback, and production support.

Create evaluation datasets with subject matter experts, measure model and LLM quality, perform structured error analysis, and prioritize improvements.

Resolve data-access, API, identity, network, security, infrastructure, and deployment blockers with technical teams.

Own post-go-live monitoring, incident diagnosis, rollback, stabilization, latency, performance, reliability, and cost optimization.

Measure adoption and business impact using agreed KPIs, then complete structured handover with runbooks, support ownership, and knowledge transfer.

WhatYouBring

10+ years of experience in data engineering, AI application development, cloud data platforms, and production software engineering.

Strong hands-on expertise in Python, PySpark, SQL, REST APIs, FastAPI, Git, Docker, Kubernetes, Airflow, MLflow, CI/CD, and distributed processing.

Experience with Claude, prompt engineering, RAG, vector databases, semantic search, and agentic AI patterns.

Strong knowledge of ETL/ELT, batch and streaming pipelines, data quality, metadata, lineage, observability, and DataOps.

Experience operationalizing MLOps/LLMOps, including model lifecycle management, automated deployment, monitoring, rollback, and production support.

Knowledge of enterprise cloud services across compute, storage, integration, orchestration, networking, monitoring, security, and cost optimization.

Understanding of IAM/RBAC, encryption, secrets management, privacy controls, auditability, compliance, and secure data access.

Ability to translate business requirements into scalable designs, define non-functional requirements, estimate effort, and drive implementation.

Financial services experience and strong client-facing skills across discovery, rapid prototyping, solution shaping, workshops, and technical presentations.

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline. Cloud, Kubernetes, AI engineering, MLOps, data engineering, architecture, or security certifications are preferred.