Role Overview
You will lead the Generative AI & Cognitive AI team, driving the design and implementation of advanced AI systems that align with organizational goals and member needs. Your work will center on building production-ready LLM and agentic AI solutions, ensuring they are secure, scalable, and grounded in responsible practices.
Key Responsibilities
- Direct the full lifecycle of Generative AI initiatives—from concept and proof-of-concept to deployment and optimization
- Design and maintain reference architectures for GenAI across Azure and Databricks environments
- Lead the implementation of retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), vector search, agent orchestration, and cognitive automation patterns
- Develop evaluation frameworks to measure model accuracy, enable benchmarking, and support continuous iteration
- Define and enforce best practices for secure GenAI deployment, including Azure OpenAI configuration and data governance
- Ensure all AI systems comply with enterprise security, privacy, and regulatory standards
- Manage, mentor, and grow a team of engineers and conversational designers, fostering technical excellence and strong team culture
- Collaborate with AI leaders and business stakeholders to align the GenAI roadmap with strategic priorities
Qualifications
Candidates should hold a Master’s or PhD in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, with 9–12 years of experience in AI, ML, or software engineering. Required expertise includes:
- 4+ years working hands-on with LLMs, RAG, and AI agent frameworks
- 3+ years designing cloud-based AI systems at scale
- 2+ years using Azure platforms, including Azure AI Foundry or equivalent services
- Proven success deploying AI/ML models into production
- Strong knowledge of NLP, CLU, vector search, and modern agentic architectures
- Experience with Databricks for data pipelines or ML workflows
- Familiarity with MLOps, CI/CD, and cloud-native deployment patterns
- Track record in technical leadership, coaching, and stakeholder communication
Preferred Experience
- Integration of GenAI with robotic process automation (RPA) or automation platforms
- Background in Responsible AI, model risk management, or AI governance
- Work within an AI Centre of Excellence or platform engineering function
Work Environment
This role operates in a hybrid model, with flexibility to work remotely while expected to attend in-person meetings and key events in Vancouver, BC or Ontario. The organization supports inclusive practices and provides accommodations throughout the hiring process and employment lifecycle.
Benefits & Culture
The organization is a member-owned credit union with a strong commitment to social equity, inclusion, and environmental responsibility, including a net-zero target by 2040. As a certified Living Wage Employer, it offers:
- Immediate health and dental coverage with three tiers of benefits
- Customizable annual benefits packages
- Generous vacation starting at 3–4 weeks, increasing with tenure
- Two additional paid days beyond statutory holidays, plus care days
- A defined benefit pension plan providing lifetime retirement income
- Eligibility for an annual incentive program based on performance
The culture emphasizes coaching, technical leadership, and collaborative problem solving, with a focus on equity, accessibility, and systems thinking. The organization actively supports Indigenous banking, financial resilience, and inclusive hiring, particularly for candidates who self-identify as Indigenous, Black, or Trans. All personal information is handled securely in compliance with BC’s PIPA regulations.
