Lead technical strategy and architecture for AI-native, agent-driven platforms. Define spec-driven requirements, integrate LLMs, vector stores, and RAG pipelines, guide GCP and Terraform infrastructure, and mentor engineering teams to deliver scalable, observable, and production-ready AI systems while embedding AI coding agents into developer workflows.
ABOUT APPLY
APPLY is the Agentic Customer Experience (ACx) partner for the world's most ambitious consumer and entertainment brands. We bring together deep domain expertise across Retail, CPG, Sports, and Media with AI-native delivery capability, designing and delivering agentic solutions that turn CX vision into commercial reality. We are the partner of choice for brands like Arc'teryx, NFL, Lululemon, and Kraft Heinz. For more information, visit applydigital.com.
LOCATION: APPLY is hybrid/remote friendly. The preferred candidate should be based in Canada, working in hours that align to ET (Eastern Timezone) or PT (Pacific Timezone).
THE ROLE:
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Define, own, and evolve the high-level technical architecture for internal and client platforms and shared services, ensuring systems are scalable, secure, observable, and production-ready.
- Organizing, distributing and translating backlog requirements from Product, UX and other disciplines, into detailed spec driven requirements for Agents to implement.
- Synthesize user stories, site maps, content strategy, components and design systems, brand strategy, etc, into specifications that coding Agents will implement.
- Designing and implementing digital solutions that have proper SEO/GEO, accessibility, performance and content management integrations.
- Integrations with key Composable platforms such as Contentful, Contentstack, Algolia, Cloudinary, etc.
- Champion spec-driven development as a core practice to improve clarity, quality, and predictability across teams.
- Design and guide layered and distributed architectures, ensuring sound use of queues, caching, APIs, and database schemas while using teams of coding agents.
- Establish standards for creating and consuming RESTful APIs across services.
- Coach engineers on effective agent design, prompt architecture, and decision modeling.
- Translate business goals into agent capabilities and system-level behaviours.
- Define when autonomy is appropriate vs. when human oversight is required.
- Lead the design and implementation of AI-powered systems, including: LLM integrations (Gemini 3, Claude Opus, GPT-4.x/5.x); Vector stores and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) pipelines.
- Set direction for agent observability, debugging, and reliability in production environments.
- Embed AI coding agents (Copilot, Claude Code, etc.) into development workflows to improve velocity, quality, and developer experience.
- Continuously evaluate and introduce new AI tools and techniques to accelerate delivery while maintaining enterprise standards.
- Promote disciplined experimentation and learning around emerging AI capabilities.
- Provide technical leadership for systems built on Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
- Oversee infrastructure design and provisioning, with Terraform as a preferred approach.
- Ensure systems meet expectations for reliability, scalability, and operational excellence.
- Lead and mentor senior engineers and technical leads across multiple teams.
- Foster a calm, supportive, and solution-oriented engineering culture.
- Partner with Engineering Managers, Product, and Delivery leaders to align technical initiatives with organizational goals.
- Manage dependencies and technical risks across concurrent initiatives.
- Identify and mitigate technical, architectural, and delivery risks early.
- Drive continuous improvement in how software is designed, built, tested, and operated, especially through AI-enabled practices.
- Ensure systems and teams are prepared for long-term maintainability and evolution.
REQUIREMENTS
- Proven experience in a Technology Director, Principal Engineer, or equivalent senior technical leadership role.
- Strong background in modern software engineering and system architecture, including distributed systems.
- Demonstrated experience with spec-driven development.
- Hands-on experience using AI coding agents (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Claude Code).
- Strong prompt engineering skills.
- Experience building or integrating systems using LLMs (Gemini, Claude, GPT-4.x/5.x).
- Experience implementing vector stores and RAG architectures.
- Experience developing or operating AI agents using Agent Development Kits (e.g., Google ADK).
- You are a strong polyglot, in particular with Python 3 and TypeScript.
- Experience designing and consuming RESTful APIs.
- Strong experience with Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
- Hands-on experience with Vertex AI and Google Gen AI APIs.
- Deep understanding of system design fundamentals (queues, caching, databases, APIs).
- Proven ability to mentor senior engineers and lead multiple teams through complex technical initiatives.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
NICE TO HAVES
- Experience with the BMAD Method or similar spec-driven development frameworks.
- Experience with AI agent design patterns, task planning, and reasoning.
- Experience with agent observability and debugging in production.
- Experience with layered and distributed architecture patterns at scale.
- Experience using Terraform for infrastructure provisioning.
- Familiarity with Next.js / React (particularly for platform or internal tooling contexts).
#LI-Remote
LIFE AT APPLY
People are at the core of everything we do at APPLY. We provide you with modern tools, systems and approaches, value your time, safety, and health, and strive to build a work community where you can thrive and grow. Here are a few benefits we offer to support you:
Agentic Delivery: Our people work in a modern way to deliver client outcomes. Broaden your skills on a range of engagements with international brands that have a global impact.
An inclusive and safe environment: We’re truly committed to building a culture where you are celebrated and everyone feels welcome and safe.
AI & Strategic Upskilling: Accelerate your professional growth with generous training budgets and mentorship, with a specific focus on Agentic AI expertise and the critical human skills required for the future of work.
Generous vacation policy: Work-life balance is key to our team’s success, so we offer flexible personal time off (PTO); allowing ample time away from work to promote overall well-being.
Customizable benefits: Tailor your extended health and dental plan to your needs, priorities, and preferences.
Flexible work arrangements: We work in a variety of ways, from remote, to in-office, to a blend of both.
APPLY is a safe, respectful, and inclusive community where differences are celebrated. We are committed to equal opportunity and fostering a workplace where everyone belongs. Learn more in our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) section. For recruitment accommodations, please email [email protected].
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