Staff Engineer – Software Development, Architecture, Security & Governance

RBC; Toronto; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

RBC is seeking a Staff Engineer to join the Enterprise Architecture team in Toronto. You will design, build, and scale backend services, APIs, and AI-enabled applications affecting thousands of users across the enterprise.

You will mentor engineers, shape technical direction, and collaborate with AI researchers, architects, and product teams to deliver production-grade solutions using LLMs, RAGs, and AI tooling in a regulated environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in Computer Science or Engineering or equivalent.
• 10+ years of software engineering experience with 2+ years in senior/lead roles.
• Deep expertise in distributed systems, reliability, observability, and performance.
• Strong system design skills and ability to steer complex initiatives.
• Proven mentoring and high coding standards.
• Proficiency in Python and at least one other language (NodeJS/Java/C++).
• Experience with AI/ML tech including LLMs, RAGs, and chatbots.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain scalable backend services using Python, FastAPI, and MongoDB, with AI orchestration.
• Develop and deploy AI-powered apps including RAGs and chatbots using LangChain or similar.
• Collaborate with researchers, architects, DevOps, and product teams to translate AI into real solutions.
• Lead architecture and delivery of resilient, scalable systems powering production applications.
• Set technical direction and own outcomes end-to-end, from inception to deployment.
• Mentor engineers, raise engineering bar, and promote best practices across teams.

Skills

Python

API design

Distributed systems

LLMs

Staff leadership

AI/ML

Cloud knowledge

Code quality

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Engineering

Tools

FastAPI

MongoDB

Docker

Kubernetes

LangChain

OpenAI API

Job description

What is the opportunity?

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Staff Engineer to join our Enterprise Architecture team, leveraging their expertise in full-stack development, backend engineering, API design, and artificial intelligence to drive innovation and deliver cutting-edge solutions. As a Staff Engineer, you will have the opportunity to work and lead complex projects, collaborating with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and deploy production-grade applications that integrate AI capabilities, including RAGs and chatbots. The scope of this role is significant, as the solutions you develop will be used by all applications across the enterprise, impacting thousands of users and systems. You will play a critical role in ensuring that our organization meets regulatory requirements and maintains the trust of our customers and stakeholders.

Job Description

What is the opportunity?

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Staff Engineer to join our Enterprise Architecture team, leveraging their expertise in full-stack development, backend engineering, API design, and artificial intelligence to drive innovation and deliver cutting-edge solutions. As a Staff Engineer, you will have the opportunity to work and lead complex projects, collaborating with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and deploy production-grade applications that integrate AI capabilities, including RAGs and chatbots. The scope of this role is significant, as the solutions you develop will be used by all applications across the enterprise, impacting thousands of users and systems. You will play a critical role in ensuring that our organization meets regulatory requirements and maintains the trust of our customers and stakeholders.

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, 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 in 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).
• Knowledge 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

What is 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.
• Opportunities to do challenging work.

#TECH PJ

Job Skills

AI Agents, AI Agents, AI Architecture, AI Governance, AI Programming, AI Safety, AI Systems, API Design, Application Architecture Design, Application Development, Application Integrations, Application Maintenance, Application Security Architecture, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Artificial Intelligence Software, Backend Design, Commercial Acumen, DevOps, Engineering Methodologies, Engineering Practices, Enterprise Application Architecture, Enterprise Application Delivery, Front-End Development, Full Stack Development, Information Technology Management {+ 9 more}

Additional Job Details

Address

RBC WATERPARK PLACE, 88 QUEENS QUAY W: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

2026-06-16

Application Deadline

2026-08-31

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.

Join our Talent Community

Stay in‑the‑know about great career opportunities at RBC. Sign up and get customized info on our latest jobs, career tips and Recruitment events that matter to you.

Expand your limits and create a new future together at RBC. Find out how we use our passion and drive to enhance the well‑being of our clients and communities at jobs.rbc.com

RBC is presently inviting candidates to apply for this existing vacancy. Applying to this posting allows you to express your interest in this current career opportunity at RBC. Qualified applicants may be contacted to review their resume in more detail.