Staff Software Engineer AI II

PowerToFly; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 215,000 - 399,000; Full time

Job summary

A tech company is looking for a Staff Software Engineer (AI) in Toronto to lead innovative AI solutions and drive technical strategy. The candidate should have over 8 years in software engineering with a focus on AI/ML, including leadership experience. Responsibilities include designing enterprise-scale AI systems and collaborating across business units. This role offers a hybrid work model and competitive salary ranging from $158,000 to $293,000 USD based on experience.

Benefits

Hybrid Work Model

Flexible vacation

Career Development and Growth

Comprehensive benefit plans

Social Impact opportunities

Qualifications

• 8+ years of software engineering experience, including 4+ years in senior or lead roles focused on AI/ML.
• Mastery of Python and experience with modern AI/ML frameworks.
• Proven ability to manage full lifecycle for enterprise AI applications.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead implementation of enterprise-scale AI solutions.
• Evaluate AI techniques and translate research into action.
• Mentor engineering talent and champion best practices.

Skills

Python

AI/ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX)

Leadership

Communication

Education

8+ years of software engineering experience

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

Docker

Kubernetes

Terraform

Job description

This posting is for proactive recruitment purposes and may be used to fill current openings or future vacancies within our organization.

Staff Software Engineer (AI), Forward Engineering

As a Staff Software Engineer (AI) you will join our pivotal Forward Engineering team responsible for reimagining critical TR business functions by architecting and prototyping enterprise-grade AI systems that deliver measurable business value. You will work closely with senior functional leaders to facilitate end-to-end optimization of the business processes and workflows through development of scalable, AI‑first solutions.

About The Role

As a Staff Software Engineer (AI), you will lead the design and delivery of innovative AI solutions, driving technical strategy and embedding within business units to reimagine processes and accelerate TR’s AI‑first transformation.

Architect and Deliver AI Systems

Design, build, evaluate, and lead implementation of enterprise-scale AI solutions, including domain‑tailored multi‑agent systems and advanced RAG.

Drive AI Innovation and Strategy

Evaluate emerging AI techniques, lead proof‑of‑concept initiatives, and translate cutting‑edge research into actionable technical roadmaps that advance the organization’s AI‑first vision.

Provide Senior Technical Leadership

Direct architectural decisions, convert business requirements into scalable technical designs, mentor engineering talent, and champion MLOps/LLMOps best practices.

Lead Embedded Cross‑Functional Collaboration

Partner directly with business units, SMEs, and product teams to co‑create AI solutions, ensure adoption, and document architectural patterns for organizational capability building.

Accelerate Enterprise AI Transformation

Influence strategic direction, scale successful AI prototypes, and establish standards that elevate engineering excellence and drive company‑wide transformation.

About You

Advanced Software & AI Engineering Experience

8+ years of software engineering experience, including 4+ years in senior or lead roles focused on AI/ML system design and delivery.

Expert‑Level AI/ML Technical Proficiency

Mastery of Python and deep hands‑on experience with modern AI/ML frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX.

Strong ML Foundations & System Design Skills

Deep understanding of machine learning principles, model evaluation methodologies, distributed systems, and scalable architecture patterns.

MLOps/LLMOps & Lifecycle Ownership

Proven ability to manage full lifecycle operations for enterprise AI applications, including deployment, monitoring, model management, and continuous improvement.

Cloud & Infrastructure Expertise

Demonstrated proficiency with major cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and infrastructure/orchestration tools such as Docker, Kubernetes, and Terraform.

Production Integration Experience

Experience integrating AI models into large‑scale production systems using APIs, data pipelines, and cloud‑native application architectures.

Leadership & Communication Skills

Strong technical leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to communicate complex concepts effectively and influence senior stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading teams in building rapid prototypes and AI‑driven systems for internal stakeholders.
• Advanced knowledge of vector databases, embeddings, semantic search, and information retrieval systems.
• Track record of successful AI solution launches and scaling AI systems for internal business functions.
• Portfolio demonstrating leadership in innovative LLM‑based solutions and AI product development.
• Experience with AI governance, model risk management, and regulatory compliance.
• Publications, patents, or speaking experience in AI/ML domains.

What’s in it For You?

• Hybrid Work Model: We’ve adopted a flexible hybrid working environment (2-3 days a week in the office depending on the role) for our office-based roles while delivering a seamless experience that is digitally and physically connected.

• Flexibility & Work-Life Balance: Flex My Way is a set of supportive workplace policies designed to help manage personal and professional responsibilities, whether caring for family, giving back to the community, or finding time to refresh and reset. This builds upon our flexible work arrangements, including work from anywhere for up to 8 weeks per year, empowering employees to achieve a better work‑life balance.

• Career Development and Growth: By fostering a culture of continuous learning and skill development, we prepare our talent to tackle tomorrow’s challenges and deliver real-world solutions. Our Grow My Way programming and skills-first approach ensures you have the tools and knowledge to grow, lead, and thrive in an AI-enabled future.

• Industry Competitive Benefits: We offer comprehensive benefit plans to include flexible vacation, two company-wide Mental Health Days off, access to the Headspace app, retirement savings, tuition reimbursement, employee incentive programs, and resources for mental, physical, and financial wellbeing.

• Culture: Globally recognized, award-winning reputation for inclusion and belonging, flexibility, work‑life balance, and more. We live by our values: Obsess over our Customers, Compete to Win, Challenge (Y)our Thinking, Act Fast / Learn Fast, and Stronger Together.

• Social Impact: Make an impact in your community with our Social Impact Institute. We offer employees two paid volunteer days off annually and opportunities to get involved with pro-bono consulting projects and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives.

• Making a Real-World Impact: We are one of the few companies globally that helps its customers pursue justice, truth, and transparency. Together, with the professionals and institutions we serve, we help uphold the rule of law, turn the wheels of commerce, catch bad actors, report the facts, and provide trusted, unbiased information to people all over the world.

Compensation

Eligible office location(s) for this role include one or more of the following: New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and/or Irvine, CA; McLean, VA; Washington, DC. The base compensation range for the role in any of those locations is $158,000 USD – $293,000 USD. For any eligible US locations, unless otherwise noted, the base compensation range for this role is $137,100 USD – $254,700 USD. Base pay is positioned within the range based on several factors including an individual’s knowledge, skills and experience with consideration given to internal equity. Base pay is one part of a comprehensive Total Reward program which also includes flexible and supportive benefits and other wellbeing programs. This role may also be eligible for an Annual Bonus based on a combination of enterprise and individual performance.

Equal Employment Opportunity

As a global business, we rely on the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of all employees to deliver on our business goals. To ensure we can do that, we seek talented, qualified employees in all our operations around the world regardless of race, color, sex/gender, including pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, citizen status, veteran status, or any other protected classification under applicable law. Thomson Reuters is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer providing a drug‑free workplace.

Thomson Reuters makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities, including veterans with disabilities, and for sincerely held religious beliefs in accordance with applicable law. If you reside in the United States and require an accommodation in the recruiting process, you may contact our Human Resources Department at [e-mail]. Disability accommodations in the recruiting process may include things like a sign language interpreter, making interview rooms accessible, providing assistive technology, or other relevant accommodations. Please note this email is not intended for general recruitment questions and we will promptly respond to inquiries regarding accommodations. More information on requesting an accommodation here.