Principal Platform Architect – AI and Data Platforms – Canadian Tire – Toronto, ON

Canadian Tire Corporation is looking for a Principal Platform Architect – AI and Data Platforms to join their Enterprise AI and Emerging Technology team in Toronto, Ontario. This is a senior leadership role that sits at the intersection of enterprise architecture, artificial intelligence, and data strategy — ideal for a seasoned architect ready to shape how one of Canada’s most recognized companies builds its AI and data future.

In this position, you’ll define the architectural vision across AI platforms, data ecosystems, and data governance, working alongside business and technology stakeholders to translate strategic priorities into scalable, forward-thinking solutions. From Lakehouse architectures to Agentic AI frameworks, you’ll be guiding large-scale transformation initiatives and mentoring the teams that deliver them.

About the Role: Principal Platform Architect – AI and Data Platforms

As Principal Architect, you’ll be responsible for designing and evolving the organization’s AI and data platform architecture strategy. This means leading the development of modern data platforms, architecting scalable AI/ML systems on cloud platforms (with Azure preferred), and governing solution design through project lifecycle gates. You’ll build end-to-end architecture blueprints covering data pipelines, BI ecosystems, GenAI capabilities, and governance frameworks.

Beyond the technical, this role calls for strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills. You’ll be presenting architectural strategies to executive audiences, driving cross-functional alignment across data engineers, data scientists, and BI teams, and fostering a culture of innovation and technical excellence across the enterprise. Collaboration, mentorship, and continuous improvement are central to how this team operates.

Benefits and Salary

Canadian Tire offers competitive salaries and wages, along with a comprehensive benefits package. Employees enjoy store discounts, access to the Triangle Learning Academy for supported professional development, Canadian Tire Profit Sharing, and retirement and savings programs for eligible employees. The company also provides an enhanced flex benefits program that includes $5,000 per year in mental health benefits for eligible employees and their families, plus total well-being tools and resources available to all staff.

Responsibilities

This role spans strategy, architecture, governance, and leadership. Day-to-day, you’ll be crafting architecture roadmaps, evaluating emerging technologies, governing solution design, and enabling your team to deliver high-quality AI and data solutions at enterprise scale. Here’s a closer look at what the work involves:

• Define and evolve the AI and Data Platform architecture strategy and roadmap, aligned with enterprise business priorities
• Design and implement modern data platforms including Lakehouse architectures, data engineering pipelines, and BI/reporting ecosystems
• Architect scalable AI/ML systems leveraging cloud platforms such as Azure (preferred), or GCP
• Lead adoption of event-driven, streaming, and integration architectures across enterprise systems
• Enforce governance standards across AI, data, and architecture in collaboration with enterprise governance functions
• Lead architecture reviews and govern solution design through project lifecycle gates
• Present architectural strategies and solutions to senior leadership and executive stakeholders
• Mentor and develop architecture team members and contribute to capability growth across the enterprise
• Drive continuous improvement in engineering practices, performance optimization, and solution quality

Requirements / Skills

The ideal candidate brings deep experience in enterprise architecture and AI/data platforms, combined with the leadership presence to influence executive stakeholders and guide cross-functional teams. Canadian Tire is looking for someone who thrives in complex, fast-evolving environments and brings both strategic vision and hands-on technical credibility.

• 5–10+ years of experience in enterprise architecture, data platforms, or AI/ML solutions
• Agentic AI experience including Tool Usage, Agentic Orchestration Frameworks, LLMs, Testing and Evaluation, and AgentOps
• GenAI expertise covering LLMs, Monitoring, LLMOps, Observability, and RAG
• Data platforms and Lakehouse architectures such as ADLS Gen2, Databricks, Synapse, ETL/ELT, and Unity Catalog
• MLOps technologies including ML and NLP; cloud platforms with Azure preferred and AWS/GCP knowledge beneficial
• Big data technologies such as Spark and Hadoop; DevOps and CI/CD practices; Infrastructure as Code (Terraform)
• Containerization and orchestration experience with Docker and Kubernetes
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (PhD considered an asset)

How to Apply

To apply, use the official link below to submit your application through Canadian Tire’s careers portal. Make sure your resume is up to date and reflects your relevant experience with AI, data platforms, and enterprise architecture.

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