Lead Data Engineer (AI)

TL;DR

Lead Data Engineer (AI): Building enterprise data architecture foundations that power modern analytics, AI, and agentic systems with an accent on semantic layers, governance-aligned design, and scalable data modeling. Focus on leading complex architecture initiatives, translating ambiguous stakeholder questions into actionable frameworks, and improving long-term structural quality across distributed teams.

Company

hirify.global is an experience innovation company helping leading brands unlock value through data, AI, technology, and experience transformation.

What you will do

• Lead the most complex, high-impact data architecture initiatives across clients, domains, platforms, and strategic programs.
• Define data architecture strategies connecting business goals, domain structures, semantic logic, governance expectations, and downstream consumption needs.
• Establish and refine best practices for conceptual, logical, and physical data modeling, business entity design, semantic consistency, and reusable architecture patterns.
• Guide scalable semantic structures and governed access patterns, including taxonomy/ontology-informed models and reference architectures.
• Assess how architecture choices support reporting, analytics, data products, machine learning, AI workflows, retrieval patterns, and agentic systems.
• Provide architecture review and design authority, synthesize tradeoffs, and mentor senior practitioners while reinforcing governance, privacy, security, and data-quality expectations.

Requirements

• Deep expertise in data architecture and enterprise data platform concepts, including conceptual, logical, and physical data modeling.
• Expert ability to connect business context, semantic structure, governance direction, platform realities, and downstream analytical/AI needs into clear, actionable approaches.
• Strong command of business entities, dimensions, metrics, domains, lineage, metadata, semantic consistency, governed access concepts, and reusable reference patterns.
• Strong understanding of semantic layers and taxonomy/ontology-informed design, with awareness of how architecture supports reporting, analytics, ML/AI workflows, retrieval patterns, and agentic systems.
• Advanced stakeholder advisory skills, including executive communication and the ability to influence senior audiences.
• Location: Only applicants from the provinces of Ontario and Québec are accepted; Québec-based candidates must be fluent in English.

Nice to have

• Experience with taxonomy, ontology, and knowledge-modeling approaches.
• Exposure to Unity Catalog, Collibra, or similar governance solutions.
• Working knowledge of SQL, dbt, Python, and Spark / modern data engineering practices.
• Databricks, Azure, or Google Cloud certifications.
• Experience defining AI-ready or agentic-ready enterprise architectures.

Culture & Benefits

• Full-time role with a comprehensive benefits package effective after three months of continuous service.
• Comprehensive insurance plan with employer contribution up to 80% depending on selected module, including short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Virtual healthcare via Dialogue via Sun Life, Employee and Family Assistance Program, and mental health support.
• $500 Personal Spending Account and retirement plan with hirify.global matching 100% of RRSP contributions through DPSP up to 4%.
• Flexible vacation policy, winter holiday closure, and flexible scheduling; personal technology reimbursement of $30/month.

Hiring process

• Talent Acquisition reviews the application; outreach for next steps if skills and experience align.
• CV should cover relevant experiences and expertise; no need to provide age, gender, marital status, or a headshot.
• Interviews may include accessibility accommodations if requested during the process.

Location: Canada (Remote); only Ontario and Québec applicants accepted; Québec-based candidates require English fluency.

Salary: $110,000–$150,000 annually.