AI Engineer Lead

Job Description

What is the opportunity?

Join RBC Capital Markets' AI & Digital Engineering team as an AI Engineer Lead and play a pivotal role in reshaping the future of global financial markets through cutting-edge technology. You will work alongside top-tier engineers, data scientists, and business leaders to deliver scalable, production-ready solutions that directly impact RBC's competitive edge while driving the adoption of AI, machine learning, and emerging technologies to solve complex business challenges and unlock new opportunities.

What will you do?

• Innovate at the forefront, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to solve real-world problems in global financial markets
• Pioneer end-to-end solutions from prototyping to deployment, owning the full lifecycle of AI initiatives
• Engineer systems prioritizing performance, security, and compliance to support high-volume, real-time applications
• Develop and deploy cloud-native AI/ML solutions using AWS, Azure, or GCP, ensuring scalability, reliability, and efficiency through Kubernetes, Docker, etc.
• Mentor high-performing teams and foster a culture of innovation across AI & Digital Engineering
• Develop talent pipelines and drive career growth for junior engineers and data scientists
• Lead thought leadership initiatives to position RBC as an innovator in financial technology
• Demonstrate ability to lead diverse teams, mentor talent, and drive cultural change
• Champion cross-functional collaboration by leading discussions with business stakeholders to gather requirements, refine visions, and align AI initiatives with strategic goals to translate into actionable AI strategies
• Develop AI models to enhance blockchain use cases, such as fraud detection or automated compliance by implementing smart contracts and DLT solutions
• Communicate technical visions and project outcomes to C-suite executives, clients, and regulators
• Represent RBC at industry conferences and forums to elevate the organization's AI capabilities
• Influence organizational strategy by aligning technical innovation with business outcomes and regulatory constraints
• Articulate complex AI concepts to non-technical audiences (C-suite, boards, clients)
• Proactively address ethical AI, data governance, and regulatory considerations in financial services

What do you need to succeed?

Must-have

• Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in Computer Science, AI, or similar quantitative field preferred
• 10+ years of experience designing, developing, and deploying production-scale AI/ML solutions, with a proven track record, preferably in finance or related industries
• Fluency in Python, including development of production-grade AI/ML solutions using libraries like NumPy, Pandas, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, and PyTorch, or Hugging Face
• Demonstrated mastery in Generative AI (e.g., LLMs, diffusion models), NLP (e.g., transformer models), and computer vision (e.g., vision transformers)
• Hands-on experience with blockchain platforms (e.g., Ethereum) and smart contract development for financial applications
• Proficiency in cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, GCP), including serverless computing, managed services, and Kubernetes for scalable AI deployments
• Documented success leading projects from business requirement gathering to prototype development and production deployment, ensuring alignment with strategic goals
• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams, mentor talent, and drive cultural change
• Track record of external visibility (conference speaking, publications, industry forums)
• Experience influencing organizational strategy and engaging with executive stakeholders

Nice-to-have

• Certifications: AWS/GCP/Azure AI certifications, CFA, or FRM
• Specialized knowledge in risk management, trading workflows, or regulatory reporting (e.g., MiFID II, Dodd-Frank)

What’s 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
• Flexible work/life balance options
• Opportunities to do challenging work