Senior Machine Learning Research Engineer

ODAIA; Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

RBC Borealis in Toronto is seeking a Senior Machine Learning Research Engineer to join an applied research team that develops ML-powered software products. You’ll work from data pre-processing to prototyping novel algorithms and delivering end-to-end AI solutions with business impact.

The ideal candidate has a master’s or PhD in a relevant field, 5+ years of hands-on ML experience, and strong Python and DL framework skills (PyTorch, TensorFlow).

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in CS, math, physics, economics or equivalent.
• 5+ years of applied ML experience as an individual contributor.
• Proficient in Python 3.x for production-ready software.
• Experience with DL areas: NLP, information retrieval.
• Familiar with ML frameworks: PyTorch, JAX, TensorFlow.
• Strong software engineering practices across SDLC.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of ML-based software solutions.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to prototype ML solutions quickly.
• Conduct comparisons to existing algorithms and baselines.
• Review, extend, and optimize prototype solutions.
• Collaborate with the engineering team to integrate algorithms into products.
• Develop reusable internal tools to facilitate research prototyping.
• Support projects with thorough documentation, design decisions, and capabilities.

Skills

Machine learning

Python

Deep learning

NLP

Information retrieval

Communication

Education

Master's or PhD

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

JAX

Job description

Job Description

What's the opportunity?

At RBC Borealis, you'll be joining a team of leading researchers and software engineering specializing in machine learning. You will have access to rich and massive datasets, and to computational resources to support novel product development touching machine learning areas such as generative AI, natural language processing, and time series analysis.

We're looking for an enthusiastic Senior Machine Learning Research Engineer who's excited by the opportunity of being at the forefront of applying machine learning technology to challenging problems. As a Senior ML Research Engineer in the applied research team, you'll be part of a collaborative group who aims to deliver AI projects end to end - everything from data pre-processing and exploration, to prototyping novel algorithmic solutions, to software implementations of machine learning-based products. The goal is to understand the needs of our business partners and bring to life these unique and efficient solutions that can only be achieved through the use of machine learning.

Your responsibilities include:

• Lead development of machine learning-based software solutions;


• Collaborating with business stakeholders to prototype machine-learning solutions rapidly;


• Conducting comparisons to existing algorithms and baselines;


• Reviewing, extending, and optimizing prototype solutions;


• Collaborating with the engineering team to integrate algorithms into products;


• Developing reusable internal tools to facilitate research prototyping;


• Supporting projects with thorough documentation, design decisions, and capabilities.

You're our ideal candidate if you have:

• A master's or PhD degree in computer science, mathematics, physics, economics or equivalent;


• 5+ years of applied machine learning experience as an individual contributor driving projects;


• Experience with writing modular, robust, scalable software in Python 3.x;


• Expertise in a few of the following areas: deep learning, natural language processing, information retrieval;


• Experience with deep learning packages such as PyTorch, JAX, or Tensorflow;


• Knowledge of professional software engineering best practices for the full software development life cycle, including testing methods, coding standards, code reviews, and source control management;


• Strong communication skills and a collaborative attitude.

What's in it for you?

• Become part of a team that thinks progressively and works collaboratively. We care about seeing each other reach full potential;


• A comprehensive Total Rewards Program including bonuses and flexible benefits, competitive compensation, commissions, and stock options where applicable;


• Leaders who support your development through coaching and managing opportunities;


• Ability to make a difference and lasting impact from a local-to-global scale.

About RBC Borealis

RBC Borealis, an RBC Institute for Research, is a curiosity-driven research centre dedicated to achieving state-of-the-art in machine learning. Established in 2016, and with labs in Toronto, Montreal, Waterloo, and Vancouver, we support academic collaborations and partner with world-class research centres in artificial intelligence. With a focus on ethical AI that will help communities thrive, our machine learning scientists perform fundamental and applied research in areas such as reinforcement learning, natural language processing, deep learning, and unsupervised learning to solve ground-breaking problems in diverse fields.

Inclusion and Equal Opportunity Employment

RBC is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veterans status, Aboriginal/Native American status or any other legally-protected factors. Disability-related accommodations during the application process are available upon request.

At 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.

Job Skills

• Analytical Thinking


• Decision Making


• Detail-Oriented


• Long Term Planning


• Machine Learning


• Product Development Design


• Programming Languages


• Quantitative Research


• Research and Development Operations


• Research Documents

Additional Job Details

• Address: 777 BAY ST, TH 27:TORONTO


• City: Toronto


• Country: Canada


• Work hours/week: 37.5


• Employment Type: Full time


• Platform: TECHNOLOGY AND OPERATIONS


• Job Type: Regular


• Pay Type: Salaried


• Posted Date: 2025-11-27


• Application Deadline: 2026-02-23


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

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