Lead Data Scientist

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 Lead Data Scientist 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. 

About the AI Group:

RBC's AI Group is the AI accelerator for RBC, with a focus on driving the shift from early-stage AI projects to scaled, client outcomes that amplify the impact of RBC's people. In addition to helping scale the biggest AI opportunities at RBC, the AI Group is responsible for advancing research into emerging use cases across generative and agentic AI, while maintaining expertise in security, responsible AI and regulatory expectations. The Business Enablement function within the AI Group partners with LOBs and Functions to set AI ambition, originate transformation opportunities, and frame programs for delivery — ensuring RBC remains at the frontier of AI-enabled value creation.

Inclusion and Equal Opportunity Employment

RBC is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veterans status, Aboriginal/Native American status or any other legally-protected factors. Disability-related accommodations during the application process are available upon request.

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Job Skills

Active Learning, Application Integrations, Detail-Oriented, Group Problem Solving, Programming Languages, Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

Additional Job Details

RBC WATERPARK PLACE, 88 QUEENS QUAY W:TORONTOTorontoCanada37.5Full timeTECHNOLOGY AND OPERATIONSRegularSalaried2026-09-292026-12-04

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

Our Employment Opportunities

At RBC, we are guided by living shared values of Client First, Integrity, Collaboration, Respect and Excellence and winning together as One RBC. We believe an inclusive workplace that has diverse perspectives is core to our continued growth as one of the largest and most successful banks in the world. Maintaining a workplace where our employees feel supported to perform at their best, effectively collaborate, drive innovation, and grow professionally helps to bring our Purpose to life and create value for our clients and communities. RBC strives to deliver this through policies and programs intended to foster a workplace based on respect, belonging and opportunity for all.

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.