Royal Bank of Canada

Director & Principal Engineer, AI/ML & MLOps Platform

Royal Bank of Canada$150K — $180K *
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years in data-intensive application design and development, including 3+ years in a senior leadership position.
  • Deep expertise in distributed data processing and ML engineering tools/languages (e.g., Python, Java/Scala, PySpark/Spark, Kafka, SQL).
  • Strong understanding of ML lifecycle and MLOps, including model deployment and CI/CD pipelines.
  • Proficient with cloud platforms like AWS or Azure and familiar with scalable architecture patterns and IaC tools like Terraform.
  • Excellent communication skills for bridging technical concepts to diverse audiences.
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field; Master’s or PhD preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Design, build, and review scalable data pipelines and ML systems with hands-on involvement.
  • Define and promote best practices in data and ML engineering and evaluate emerging technologies.
  • Collaborate with data scientists and business leaders to transform retail credit decisioning.
  • Mentor engineering teams and foster a culture of innovation and high performance.
  • Ensure project execution aligns with business goals while managing risks and compliance.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive Total Rewards Program with bonuses and flexible benefits.
  • Leadership support for personal development and growth opportunities.
  • Impactful role allowing you to make significant contributions.
  • Collaborative and high-performing team environment.
  • Opportunities for career advancement and role diversification.
Full Job Description
Job Description

What is the opportunity?

Global Functions Technology (GFT) is part of RBC's Technology and Operations division. GFT's impact is far-reaching as we collaborate with partners from across the company to deliver innovative and transformative IT solutions. Our clients represent Risk, Finance, HR, CAO, Audit, Legal, Compliance, Financial Crime, Capital Markets, Personal and Commercial Banking and Wealth Management. We also lead the development of digital tools and platforms to enhance collaboration. In your role, You'll architect and create systems that directly influence billions in lending decisions, shaping RBC's competitive edge in financial innovation.

We're seeking a Director & Principal Engineer, AI/ML & MLOps Platform, who brings a unique blend of deep technical expertise and strategic leadership. This is a hands-on engineering leadership role focused on building and scaling data-driven systems and platform capabilities that enable advanced analytics, machine learning, and impactful business decisions. You will play a key role in shaping our next-generation credit decisioning and risk management platform, and lead by example in applying sound architectural thinking, engineering rigor, and technical mentorship. You will manage a team of seasoned engineers to deliver the visions to scale your impacts and pace of development.

What will you do?
  • Lead by Doing: Design, build, and review scalable data pipelines, analytics platforms, and ML systems. This is a hands-on role with end-to-end ownership, balancing hands-on coding (20-30%) with solution architectural & engineering leadership.
  • Set Technical Direction: Define and promote best practices in data and ML engineering. Evaluate emerging technologies and guide adoption to drive innovation.
  • Partner Cross-Functionally: Work closely with data scientists, business leaders, and IT teams to understand needs and translate them into technical solutions. Your first set of prominent goals are to transform the bank's retail credit decisioning by bringing together a set of platform capabilities to enable our risk experts to scale vertically and horizontally to provide the depth and the breadth for competitive and personalize lending products.
  • Mentor and Inspire: Coach engineers and foster a high-performing, collaborative culture. Champion engineering excellence and team growth. You are not an old fashioned manager that just command, but a role model that cultivates a culture of innovation and high performance, who skillfully inspires the next generation of leaders without micro managing.
  • Deliver at Scale: Ensure projects are executed with high quality, on time, and aligned with business goals. Proactively identify risks and enforce compliance standards, especially around data governance and security.


What do you need to succeed?

Must Have:
  • 8+ years of experience in designing and building data-intensive applications, with 3+ years in a senior technical leadership role.
  • Deep expertise in modern distributed data processing and ML engineering tools and languages (e.g., Python, Java/Scala, PySpark/Spark, Kafka, SQL, orchestration frameworks).
  • Strong understanding of the ML lifecycle and MLOps practices, including model deployment, monitoring, and CI/CD pipelines. Experience with real-time inference systems in both on-prem and Cloud.
  • Proven experience in cloud platforms like AWS or Azure, with knowledge of scalable architecture patterns, and proficient in IaC (SDK, Terraform)
  • Excellent communication skills - able to clearly explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Demonstrated success in leading engineering teams and delivering high-impact platforms or products.
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; Master's or PhD preferred.


Nice to Have:
  • Hands-on experience with AWS SageMaker and related services (Glue, EMR, Lambda, Step Functions, Airflow, CloudWatch).
  • Track record of building high-performing teams (e.g., hiring/retaining top talent, improving team NPS)
  • Background in enterprise-level data governance, privacy, and security practices.


What's In 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
  • Opportunities to take on progressively greater accountabilities.
  • Access to a variety of job opportunities across business and geographies.


#LI-POST
#TECHPJ

Job Skills
Active Learning, Agile Methodology, Decision Making, Emerging Technologies, Enterprise Application Delivery, Group Problem Solving, Long Term Planning, Programming Languages, Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

Additional Job Details

Address:

745 THURLOW ST:VANCOUVER

City:

Vancouver

Country:

Canada

Work hours/week:

37.5

Employment Type:

Full time

Platform:

TECHNOLOGY AND OPERATIONS

Job Type:

Regular

Pay Type:

Salaried

Posted Date:

2026-07-28

Application Deadline:

2026-08-31
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the application deadline date above

About Royal Bank of Canada

Royal Bank of Canada Careers

Join the dynamic team at Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), a global leader in financial services and a company committed to excellence and innovation. At RBC, we offer a wide range of job opportunities that empower professionals to shape their career paths with leadership, diversity training, and continuous growth.

Work You’ll Do

At Royal Bank of Canada, we are not just hiring; we are building a culture of innovation and leadership. Our team members are at the forefront of the financial industry, driving transformation and delivering targeted solutions that meet the evolving needs of our clients and communities.

Explore Job Opportunities and Employment at RBC

Whether you are starting your career or looking to take it to the next level, RBC offers positions that challenge your skills and fuel your ambition. From entry-level positions to leadership roles, our job opportunities span across various functions and regions. Join us and be part of a team that values professional growth and diversity.

Internship and Professional Development

Kickstart your career with an internship at Royal Bank of Canada. Our internships provide invaluable hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and insights into the financial services industry. Interns at RBC gain the skills necessary to excel and are often considered for full-time positions within the company.

Benefits and Culture

At RBC, we prioritize the well-being and satisfaction of our employees. Our benefits package is designed to support our team members at every stage of their life and career. RBC’s culture is built on a foundation of respect, integrity, and responsibility, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.

Career Growth and Innovation

We believe in nurturing the potential of our employees through continuous learning and career development programs. At RBC, you will find endless opportunities to grow professionally through on-the-job experiences, formal training programs, and leadership development initiatives. Our commitment to innovation means we are constantly seeking out new ideas and perspectives, making RBC a perfect place for those who aim to lead and innovate.

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity is our strength. At Royal Bank of Canada, we are committed to building an inclusive workplace where every employee feels valued and respected. Our diversity training programs are designed to educate and inspire, creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace.

Join Our Team

Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for passionate, curious, creative, and solution-driven team players. Start your journey with RBC today and be part of a world-class team known for its commitment to client service, community involvement, and innovation.

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Learn more about Royal Bank of Canada
Size
86,007 employees
Market Cap
$130.3 billion
Industry
5 Year Trend
+8.7%
NASDAQ

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