Title:  Senior Data Scientist

Requisition ID: 254245 

Join a purpose driven winning team, committed to results, in an inclusive and high-performing culture.

We are hiring a Senior Data Scientist to lead the design, development, and deployment of AI-powered software solutions that transform how teams across Scotia Global Asset Management (SGAM) operate.

This is a hands-on, individual contributor role for a senior practitioner who spends the majority of their time building in Python and SQL, while also owning architectural decisions for modern AI systems — including retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), agentic workflows, and advanced financial modeling algorithms.

You will work directly with end users across investment management, distribution, product development, marketing, finance, compliance, and operations to translate business needs into production-grade AI applications. This role has meaningful influence over technical direction, system design, and AI product roadmap decisions

Is this role right for you? In this role you will:

Build & Ship AI Products (Core Focus)

• Design, develop, and deploy production-grade AI applications, including both enhancements to existing platforms and net-new AI products.
• Write high-quality Python and SQL to support data analysis, model development, prompt engineering, and system integration.
• Own your solutions end-to-end — from ideation through development, deployment, monitoring, and iteration.

Lead AI Architecture Decisions

• Evaluate and define the technical architecture for AI solutions, including:
• RAG pipelines and vector-based retrieval
• Agentic and workflow-oriented GenAI systems
• Financial modeling and analytical algorithms
• Assess technical trade-offs across build vs. buy, model selection, infrastructure, cost, latency, and risk.
• Partner with platform, security, and data teams to ensure solutions are scalable, secure, and compliant.

Translating Business Needs into Technical Solutions

• Engage directly with business users to understand real-world problems and workflows.
• Translate ambiguous or complex requirements into clear technical designs and implementation plans.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with product, platform, security, and governance teams to shape AI product direction.

Do you have the skills that will enable you to succeed in this role? We’d love to work with you if you have:

• 5+ years of experience delivering data science, machine learning, or applied AI solutions in large, complex environments.
• Strong foundation in machine learning, statistical modeling, and data science, including experience with generative AI systems.
• Hands-on expertise in Python and SQL, with experience working with large and complex datasets.
• Experience designing or contributing to production AI systems, not just experiments or POCs.
• Ability to evaluate architectural trade-offs and make sound technical decisions aligned with business goals.
• Degree in Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering, Physical Sciences, or a related quantitative field (or equivalent experience).
• Comfortable collecting and incorporating feedback from users to continuously improve the product.

• Able to work in an Agile environment and adapt quickly to shifting priorities or direction
• Strong collaboration skills, with a willingness to work closely with engineers, designers, and product managers.
• Curious and eager to learn new technologies, tools, and best practices.
  
  

What's in it for you?

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Allyship - We strive to create an inclusive culture where every employee is empowered to reach their fullest potential, respected for who they are, and are embraced through bias-free practices and inclusive values across Scotiabank. We embrace diversity and provide opportunities for all employee to learn, grow & participate through our various Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that span across diverse gender identities, ethnicity, race, age, ability & veterans.
• Accessibility and Workplace Accommodations - We value the unique skills and experiences each individual brings to the Bank, and are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone. Scotiabank continues to locate, remove and prevent barriers so that we can build a diverse and inclusive environment while meeting accessibility requirements.  
• Upskilling through online courses, cross-functional development opportunities, and tuition assistance. 
• Competitive Rewards program including bonus, flexible vacation, personal, sick days and benefits will start on day one.
• Dynamic Ecosystem - Free tea & coffee, universal washrooms, and lots of space for team collaboration.
• Community Engagement - We offer opportunities for community engagement & belonging with our various programs such as hackathons.

Location(s):  Canada : Ontario : Toronto 

Scotiabank is a leading bank in the Americas. Guided by our purpose: "for every future", we help our customers, their families and their communities achieve success through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets.  

At Scotiabank, we value the unique skills and experiences each individual brings to the Bank, and are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone. If you require accommodation (including, but not limited to, an accessible interview site, alternate format documents, ASL Interpreter, or Assistive Technology) during the recruitment and selection process, please let our  Recruitment team know. If you require technical assistance, please click here. Candidates must apply directly online to be considered for this role. We thank all applicants for their interest in a career at Scotiabank; however, only those candidates who are selected for an interview will be contacted.