software architect

RBC Dominion Securities; Toronto; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services company is seeking a highly skilled Staff Engineer to join its Enterprise Architecture team in Toronto. This role involves developing scalable backend services and AI-powered applications, leading projects, and guiding technical direction. Ideal candidates have over 10 years of software engineering experience, strong proficiency in Python, and a passion for innovation. Competitive salary and a comprehensive Total Rewards Program offered.

Benefits

Comprehensive Total Rewards Program

Flexible benefits

Leadership support

Qualifications

• 10+ years of software engineering experience, including 2 years in a senior technical role.
• Proven experience driving complex initiatives across teams.
• Willingness to take on challenges and enthusiasm for learning.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain scalable backend services using Python and FastAPI.
• Develop AI‑powered applications, including RAGs and chatbots.
• Lead the architecture, design, and delivery of resilient systems.

Skills

Deep expertise in building and scaling distributed systems

Strong proficiency in Python

Experience with AI/ML technologies

High standards for code quality

Strong system design skills

Team‑centric attitude

Education

Degree in Computer Science or Engineering

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

Azure

Google Cloud

Job description

Staff Engineer – Software Development, Architecture, Security & Governance

RBC Dominion Securities

Job Description

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Staff Engineer to join our Enterprise Architecture team. Your expertise in full-stack development, backend engineering, API design, and artificial intelligence will drive innovation and deliver cutting‑edge solutions. In this role you will lead complex projects, collaborate with cross‑functional teams, and design production‑grade applications that integrate AI capabilities such as Retrieval‑Augmented Generation (RAGs) and chatbots. Your work will impact thousands of users and systems across the enterprise, ensuring regulatory compliance and maintaining customer trust.

What will you do?

• Design, build, and maintain scalable backend services using Python, FastAPI, and MongoDB, integrating AI orchestration systems and LLMs from OpenAI, Anthropic, and other providers.
• Develop and deploy AI‑powered applications, including RAGs and chatbots, using frameworks like LangChain or similar.
• Collaborate with AI researchers, software architects, DevOps engineers, and product teams to translate AI capabilities into real‑world applications, fostering a culture of experimentation and continuous improvement.
• Lead the architecture, design, and delivery of resilient, scalable systems and infrastructure that power production‑grade applications, including those based on large language models.
• Set technical direction for complex projects, owning outcomes end‑to‑end from inception to deployment and iterative improvement.
• Act as a force multiplier by mentoring engineers, setting engineering best practices, and elevating the technical bar across the organization.

What do you need to succeed?

• Must‑have: Degree in Computer Science or Engineering with a focus on software development.
• 10+ years of software engineering experience, including at least 2 years in a Staff or equivalent senior technical leadership role.
• Deep expertise in building and scaling distributed systems, frameworks, and internal platforms with a focus on reliability, observability, and performance.
• Proven experience driving complex technical initiatives across teams or domains, with strong system design skills and clear trade‑off thinking.
• High standards for code quality, system design, and software architecture, along with a track record of mentoring others to meet those standards.
• Strong proficiency in Python and/or experience in additional languages such as NodeJS, Java, or C++.
• Experience with AI/ML technologies, including LLMs, RAGs, and chatbots.
• Knowledge of software design patterns and coding best practices.
• Willingness to take on challenges and enthusiasm for learning.
• Team‑centric attitude.
• Nice‑to‑have: Experience working with cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud).
• Familiarity with containerization (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes).
• Experience with designing and building AI agents.
• Experience with MLOps pipelines and products.
• Knowledge of data security and permissioning within AI systems.
• Knowledge of enterprise‑level security concepts and methodologies, including SSO, SSL, encryption, Apigee, authentication, and entitlements.

Benefits

We thrive on challenge, progressive thinking, and collaboration to deliver trusted advice and help our clients thrive. You will benefit from a comprehensive Total Rewards Program, including bonuses, flexible benefits, competitive compensation, commissions, and stock where applicable. Leadership support through coaching and management opportunities gives you the ability to make a lasting impact.

Location & Compensation

• Location: Toronto, ON
• Work location: On site
• Salary: $33.46 to $84.62 per hour (hourly)
• Terms of employment: Permanent, Full time
• Starts as soon as possible