Desktop engineer Jobs in Montreal, QC

On behalf of our client, a prominent enterprise leader within the Canadian financial services and insurance sector, Randstad Digital is seeking a highly skilled Senior AI Engineer. In this specialized role, you will pioneer a large-scale data modernization strategy by architecting intelligent, agentic AI systems designed to systematically transition massive, legacy SAS architectures into optimized PySpark codebases. The ideal candidate champions a pragmatic "80/20" tactical mindset, successfully automating routine, low-risk code transformations through advanced AI tooling with minimal manual friction, while reserving expert human oversight for high-complexity, mission-critical architectural components.

Advantages
Cutting-Edge Technical Challenge: Shape the future of automation by building and scaling production-level AI agent mechanics, featuring multi-step reasoning, memory management, and self-correction loops.

Contract Growth Potential: Secure an initial 3-month contract position with strong enterprise potential for ongoing structural renewals.

Flexible Hybrid Framework: Work within an adaptable hybrid schedule out of state-of-the-art corporate tech hubs located in downtown Toronto or Montreal.

High Enterprise Impact: Take ownership of a high-visibility cloud modernization initiative that directly shapes core data engineering practices for an industry leader.

Responsibilities
Architect Agentic Systems: Design, build, and scale autonomous AI coding agents capable of executing automated, complex software translation workflows.

Optimize Automation Processes: Implement strategic automation principles to seamlessly convert low-complexity code pathways, reducing operational overhead.

Develop Core Agent Mechanics: Engineer essential backend systems for AI agents, including tool integrations (MCP), contextual retrieval, and robust safety guardrails.

Manage LLM System Evaluation: Set up and maintain end-to-end tracking frameworks to comprehensively measure LLM output quality, latency, version control, and infrastructure cost.

Collaborate via Agile: Participate actively in a fast-paced Agile ecosystem (Scrum or Kanban), driving iterative software deliveries alongside cross-functional data teams.

Qualifications
Senior Engineering Track Record: 5+ years of software or data engineering experience, highlighted by a proven history of deploying AI agents or advanced LLM integrations within production environments.

Advanced Programming Skills: High proficiency in Python coupled with robust Bash scripting capabilities for continuous automation.

Cloud Data Ecosystems: Direct hands-on experience utilizing modern enterprise cloud data platforms, specifically Databricks and Snowflake.

AI Tooling Fluency: Deep familiarity as an advanced power-user extending AI development assistants, coding agents, and core foundation models.

DevOps & Agile Mindset: Thorough understanding of Git-based version control, repository collaboration, and rapid deployment cycles.

Asset: Prior exposure to or familiarity with interpreting legacy SAS code structures is highly beneficial.

Language Requirements: Fluent communication skills in English are mandatory; knowledge of French is considered a strong asset.

Our client operates in Canada. The company takes all reasonable steps to limit the number of positions in Quebec that require knowledge of a language other than French, and only requires it when necessary and its existing bilingual employees are unable to perform these duties. Based on an assessment conducted by our client, it has been determined that this position requires candidates to be fluent in English (both spoken and written). In particular, this position will require the employee to interact with centralized internal departments (e.g., Operations / HR / Finance / Legal / Contracts / Sales) that support the organization in Canada and that do not speak French.

Summary
Position Title: Senior AI Engineer

Position Type: Contract (3 Months Initial, Renewable)

Location: Toronto, ON or Montreal, QC (Hybrid)

Randstad Canada is committed to fostering a workforce reflective of all peoples of Canada. As a result, we are committed to developing and implementing strategies to increase the equity, diversity and inclusion within the workplace by examining our internal policies, practices, and systems throughout the entire lifecycle of our workforce, including its recruitment, retention and advancement for all employees. In addition to our deep commitment to respecting human rights, we are dedicated to positive actions to affect change to ensure everyone has full participation in the workforce free from any barriers, systemic or otherwise, especially equity-seeking groups who are usually underrepresented in Canada's workforce, including those who identify as women or non-binary/gender non-conforming; Indigenous or Aboriginal Peoples; persons with disabilities (visible or invisible) and; members of visible minorities, racialized groups and the LGBTQ2+ community.

Randstad Canada is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible workplace for all its candidates and employees by supporting their accessibility and accommodation needs throughout the employment lifecycle. We ask that all job applications please identify any accommodation requirements by sending an email to accessibility@randstad.ca to ensure their ability to fully participate in the interview process.