Royal Bank of Canada

Staff AI Architect

Royal Bank of Canada$125K — $150K *
Information Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in AI technology and architecture.
  • Strong coding skills for building automations and tools.
  • Expertise in compliance frameworks and operational governance.
  • Experience with creating technical standards and reference architectures.
  • Ability to design scalable and maintainable systems.

Responsibilities

  • Create and maintain AI governance artifacts like standards and reference architectures.
  • Manage the evolution of CALM standards across AI platforms.
  • Play a key role in the AI Architecture Review Board.
  • Deliver insights into AI asset compliance and effectiveness.
  • Build tools and automations to streamline governance processes.

Benefits

  • Dynamic and flexible working environment.
  • Collaborative and supportive team culture promoting personal development.
  • Comprehensive Total Rewards Program with bonuses and flexible benefits.
  • Opportunities for professional growth and coaching.
  • Capacity to impact local and global AI governance initiatives.
Full Job Description
Job Description

What's the opportunity?

AI Architecture Governance & Insights establishes enterprise-wide AI architecture standards, patterns, and governance frameworks for RBC. We create the standards and certification criteria that ensure AI solutions are built safely, securely, and in alignment with the enterprise strategy. We deliver insights into our AI capabilities and compliance, and we partner with security, enterprise architecture, and business teams to ensure AI is built responsibly and strategically

As a Staff AI Architect in the Governance & Insights team, you will build the standards, patterns, and tools that enable RBC's AI transformation at scale. You'll be the architect behind our architecture practice, creating governance artifacts, maintaining CALM/Agent Card standards, supporting the AI Architecture Review Board, and building automation to surface insights across our AI estate.
You'll work in a fast-paced environment where priorities shift rapidly based on leadership needs, platform evolution, and emerging governance challenges. This role requires both strategic thinking and hands-on execution. You might pivot from defining reference architectures to building a MCP server to developing compliance dashboards within the same week.

Your responsibilities include:

Governance & Standards (Core Focus)
  • Create and maintain AI governance artifacts: patterns, standards, reference architectures, and technical whitepapers
  • Manage CALM standard evolution and its alignment to AI platforms (Athena, Nova, Atlas)
  • Define and evolve the AI Technical Reference Model, capability catalog, and license-to-build criteria
  • Play a key role in the AI Architecture Review Board, including preparing materials, reviewing submissions, and contributing architectural opinions
  • Represent AI Architecture perspectives at broader governance forums (Technology Infrastructure and Security review boards)
  • Track Agent adherence to standards/patterns and report on compliance/non-compliance
  • Architecture Practice & Insights
    • Partner with engineering teams to review solution designs and provide architectural guidance
    • Deliver AI asset insights: catalog state, capability coverage, compliance metrics, and adoption trends
    • Modernize the SafeAI process and integrate with AI platform governance
    • Publish Architecture Decision Records (ADRs) for cross-cutting decisions
    • Coordinate cross-pillar architecture decisions and continuously improve certification processes
  • Tooling & Automation ("As Code" Mindset)
    • Build tools, Agents, and MCPs to automate architecture governance (e.g., CALM Visualizer, SafeAI tooling)
    • Surface governance data through AI Architecture Agents
    • Translate business and technical problems into implementable designs, then contribute hands-on development
  • Flexibility & Partnership
    • Research emerging AI technologies and evaluate vendor solutions
    • Partner with EA, LOB governance groups, and GCS on security architecture alignment
    • Drive POCs for new AI capabilities and governance approaches
    • Work directly with lines of business to understand needs and architect practical solutions


You're our ideal candidate if you have:

Technical Depth
  • Strong grasp of AI technologies (LLMs, agents, RAG, agentic systems, AI infrastructure)
  • Hands-on coding ability. You must be comfortable building tools, automations, and prototypes yourself
  • Experience with infrastructure-as-code, API design, and modern development practices

Architecture Mindset
  • Proven ability to design scalable, secure, maintainable systems
  • Understanding of platform patterns, reusability, and governance at scale
  • Can translate abstract requirements into concrete, implementable designs

Governance & Standards
  • Experience creating technical standards, patterns, or reference architectures
  • Understanding of compliance frameworks and how to operationalize governance
  • Comfortable working with Architecture Review Boards or similar governance bodies

Operating Model
  • Adaptability: Thrive in fast-paced environments where priorities shift based on leadership asks and platform evolution
  • Parallel execution: Comfortable context-switching between strategic work (standards development) and tactical delivery (tool building, ARB support)
  • Partnership: Strong collaboration skills, you'll work across EA, Security, Engineering, and business teams
  • Bias for action: Don't wait for perfect information; build, test, iterate

Passion for AI Governance
  • Stay current with internal/external AI trends and innovation
  • Genuine interest in making AI technology accessible, well-governed, and production-ready
  • Desire to build the infrastructure that enables responsible AI adoption at enterprise scale

What's in it for you?

  • Be part of a dynamic & flexible working environment
  • 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.


Job Skills
Applications Architecture, Critical Thinking, Data Architecture Development, Decision Making, Group Problem Solving, Information Technology Consulting, IT Architecture, Multi-Level Communication, Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), Target Architecture

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:

2026-09-01

Application Deadline:

2026-10-02
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the application deadline date above

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.

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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