--- title: 'Principal Data Engineer at RAVL' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/principal-data-engineer-ravl-toronto-t7h95r28rsp4' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-10-13' --- # Principal Data Engineer at RAVL - **Company:** RAVL - **Location:** Toronto, Canada - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** hybrid - **Posted:** 2026-04-02 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-13 - **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/ravl_io/1a71243f-d2e2-47b7-b4fc-51f6a6ba8b35 ## Job description RAVL helps technologists accelerate their careers. At RAVL, we connect strategy with execution, care deeply about the people we work with, and measure success by the lasting impact we leave behind. Our purpose is to build a team that puts real, sustainable business outcomes at the core of everything we do. We’re here to leave our clients better than we found them, and to create a place where our people are proud to Build. Better. What does success look like in this role? - Design and deliver enterprise data platforms, lakehouse architectures, and distributed raw data processing systems using modern cloud-native technologies. - Architect and implement scalable batch and streaming pipelines, medallion architectures, data mesh patterns, and platform automation frameworks for resilience, governance, and security. - Standardize and lead adoption of Databricks, Apache Spark, Delta Lake, and similar distributed data processing ecosystems across engagements. - Define and implement AI-ready data foundations, including feature engineering pipelines, model-ready data layers, and scalable experimentation environments. - Build horizontal capabilities including ingestion frameworks, metadata and lineage standards, data quality and observability frameworks, secure-by-design platform blueprints, and MLOps enablement patterns. - Architect and guide implementation of MLOps workflows including model lifecycle management, model deployment strategies, monitoring, and governance. - Integrate with cloud-native storage, data warehouses, APIs, ML platforms, vector databases, and enterprise systems while managing authentication, authorization, and secure data flows. - Apply secure coding practices, compliance standards, responsible AI principles, and automation-first approaches across all data and AI platform designs. - Demonstrate a bias for action: ship reference architectures, reusable modules, AI accelerators, and templates that enable rapid, incremental delivery. - Mentor engineers, influence stakeholders, define governance standards, and shape technical and strategic direction across BuildIQ. Sounds great, do my skills fit? Strong Grasp of Core Data & AI Engineering Concepts https://github.com/Ravl-io/job-descriptions/blob/main/Principal%20Data%20Enginer%20(COP%20Lead).md#strong-grasp-of-core-data--ai-engineering-concepts - Distributed data processing and Spark internals - Lakehouse architecture and medallion design patterns - Data modeling for analytical, operational, and ML workloads - Metadata management, lineage, observability, and cost optimization - MLOps, feature stores, model versioning, and deployment strategies - AI system design fundamentals including LLM integration patterns and vector-based retrieval Cloud-Native & Multi-Cloud Architecture https://github.com/Ravl-io/job-descriptions/blob/main/Principal%20Data%20Enginer%20(COP%20Lead).md#cloud-native--multi-cloud-architecture - Deep experience designing and operating cloud-native data and AI platforms on AWS, Azure, or GCP - Experience working across multi-cloud environments - Strong understanding of networking, storage, identity, GPU workloads, and security boundaries in cloud data and AI systems Consulting Excellence https://github.com/Ravl-io/job-descriptions/blob/main/Principal%20Data%20Enginer%20(COP%20Lead).md#consulting-excellence - Collaboration, prioritization, and RAID ownership across multiple engagements - Comfortable operating in ambiguity and creating clarity for teams - Ability to influence senior stakeholders as a trusted outsider - Strong facilitation, alignment, and decision-making capability - Operates as a high-performing remote leader ensuring work is visible, transparent, and uplifting to peers Mindset Success Traits (Mandatory) https://github.com/Ravl-io/job-descriptions/blob/main/Principal%20Data%20Enginer%20(COP%20Lead).md#mindset-success-traits-mandatory - Delivery-first and outcome-oriented (get shit done mentality) - Creative and open to new approaches, including emergent AI technologies - Comfortable working in ambiguity and creating clarity - Influential presence: able to shape direction across client and internal environments - Curious, adaptable, emotionally aware, and committed to delivery excellence Non-Negotiable Technical Skills Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in all of the following: - Programming: Advanced Python and SQL, plus Scala or Java - Data Platform Tooling: Databricks, Apache Spark, Delta Lake - AI & ML Tooling: Experience with ML frameworks (e.g., MLflow, PyTorch, TensorFlow) and model lifecycle tooling - Infrastructure & Automation: Terraform and CI/CD pipelines - Cloud Platforms: Deep expertise in at least one of AWS, Azure, or GCP, with working knowledge of a second - Security & Governance: IAM, encryption (at rest and in transit), RBAC, secure coding practices, data governance, and responsible AI fundamentals (Candidates missing these will not be considered further.) ## Compensation & hiring process We are recruiting for a future opportunity. The salary range for this role is $140 000 - $180 000 CAD, reflecting expected base pay. Total compensation may also include additional pay such as bonuses or incentives, depending on the position, and final offers are based on experience, skills, and qualifications. As part of our hiring process we may use technology, including AI-based tools, to help summarize and assess applications; these tools assist our team and do not replace human review or decision-making. ## Equal Opportunity & Accessibility RAVL is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and accessible workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and provide accommodations throughout the hiring process upon request. ## About RAVL ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: RAVL is a boutique advisory and engineering firm that helps North American financial services institutions build better technology through full-stack product development, AI modernization, cloud platform engineering, and DevSecOps. - **Entity Type**: Private (Partnership; venture-backed with a 2025 round led by MML Capital Partners) - **Headquarters**: Toronto, Ontario, Canada (East York; 6 Annesley Avenue, M4G 2T6), with a presence in the United States - **Founded**: 2022 - **Founders**: Founded by four partners; leadership includes Rick Davidson (Chief Executive Officer), Dominic Wallace (Chief Technology Officer), Sean Quinn (Chairman), and Ryan Kehl (Partner) ## Core Business - **Primary industries**: IT Services and IT Consulting; specialized in Financial Services technology (FSI) - **Target customers**: Enterprise financial services institutions in North America (banks, insurers, capital markets firms), plus organizations undertaking legacy modernization, cloud transformation, and AI adoption - **Mission or purpose statement**: "To be a true partner to our clients by building better technology that drives meaningful, long-lasting business outcomes." (Byline: "RAVL Builds. Better.") ## Products & Services RAVL operates across three core delivery models plus an AI-focused methodology: - **Advise (Strategize & Solution)**: Architecture design, business/technology capability mapping, business casing, cost optimization, customer journey mapping, governance, operating models, process improvement, technical assessments/root-cause analysis, technology selection, and technology strategy & roadmaps. - **Build (Engineer & Deliver)**: Solutions architecture, cloud engineering, DevSecOps, platform engineering, Site Reliability Engineering, application development, AI & Machine Learning, and Infrastructure as Code. - **BuildX (Sustain. Upskill. Empower.)**: Outcome-based delivery where clients can hire a subset of the RAVL team to extend the engagement. Combines cloud/platform engineering, software engineering, mentorship, and hands-on learning journeys. - **AI / Leap Left (AI-first SDLC)**: RAVL's approach to AI-first software development lifecycle — aligning people, workflows, governance, and engineering systems to accelerate delivery while managing everything surrounding code creation. Technical specialties include: full-stack digital product development, AI systems modernization (legacy-to-modern platform transformation), microservices & APIs, DevSecOps & developer experience, cloud platforms & tooling, and site reliability engineering. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (private company) - **Key Metric**: Total Funding — venture round announced 2025-01-24, with 1 investor, led by MML Capital Partners; specific amount not publicly disclosed - **Notable Investors/Partners**: MML Capital Partners (lead investor) - **Growth Signals**: - Headcount grew ~45.9% YoY (+34 employees, from ~54 to 88) - Monthly headcount growth at time of data: +3.8% - LinkedIn followers grew +32.9% yearly, to ~4,140 - 22 active job postings (quarterly job posting trend: +57.1%) - Acquired New Helio, expanding capabilities - Workforce distributed across Canada (86) and the United States (2), with deep hiring from top consultancies and financial institutions (CGI, Capco, TD, Scotiabank, McKinsey & Company, Slalom) ## Competitive Advantages - **Deep FSI domain fluency**: Decades of combined experience from North America's leading financial services institutions and top global consulting/engineering firms (McKinsey, Capco, TD, Scotiabank, etc.) - **"Build. Better." execution bias**: Strategy work that is designed for real-world execution rather than slide-deck deliverables - **End-to-end ownership**: Covers everything from advisory/strategy through build, cloud/platform engineering, DevSecOps, SRE, and AI modernization — not just code delivery - **BuildX talent model**: A differentiated engagement model where clients can hire the team, enabling continuity and knowledge transfer rather than the traditional consultancy "hand-off" - **Leap Left AI-first SDLC methodology**: A proprietary approach to AI-first software delivery that addresses the non-coding constraints (people, workflows, governance) around modern engineering - **High employee satisfaction**: 4.8/5.0 employer rating (15 reviews) with culture rated 4.9 and career development rated 4.8 — a differentiator when attracting technologists ## Strategic Focus - Scaling its AI-powered modernization and Leap Left methodology across financial services clients - Continuing to build national (Canadian) and US presence through strategic hiring — particularly in technical roles (50 of ~88 employees are technical) and senior consulting talent - Growing through selective acquisitions (e.g., New Helio) to expand advisory/engineering capacity - Strengthening the BuildX model to deepen long-term client partnerships and talent development - Building a "Talent Pool" pipeline for future hires, indicating proactive workforce planning around continued growth ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Rated 4.8/5.0 overall on employer review platforms — with Culture at 4.9, Career Development at 4.8, Work-Life Balance at 4.6, and Compensation at 4.6 - **Work model**: Hybrid workspace (combination of remote and on-site work) at the Toronto HQ - **Growth environment**: 45.9% YoY headcount growth, 22 open positions, and heavy investment in mentorship and hands-on learning journeys (BuildX) - **Engineering-led**: Technical staff make up ~46% of the workforce — engineers are core to the business, not an adjunct - **Compensation benchmarks** (publicly listed salaries): Associate Engineer ~CAD 54,691/year; Consultant ~CAD 120,749/year; Principal Consultant ~CAD 223,802/year - **Notable perk**: AI tools are used to support parts of the hiring process (resume review, response analysis), yet final decisions are human-driven — reflecting their AI-first but human-judgment approach - **Impact**: Opportunity to work on mission-critical modernization and AI transformation projects for North America's leading financial institutions ## Sources 1. [ravl.io](https://www.ravl.io/) 2. [jobs.lever.co](https://jobs.lever.co/ravl_io) 3. [ca.linkedin.com](https://ca.linkedin.com/company/ravl-io) 4. [cbinsights.com](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/ravl) 5. [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/ravl) ## Other roles at RAVL - [Software Developer, NestJS, Spring, Claude Code](https://feeny.ai/job/software-developer-nestjs-spring-claude-code-ravl-toronto-c8vvm4wbmv2b) — Toronto, Canada - [Senior Front End Developer, React and NextJS](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-front-end-developer-react-and-nextjs-ravl-toronto-dpv8rn72ema5) — Toronto, Canada - [AI Platform Engineer (Senior / Principal)](https://feeny.ai/job/ai-platform-engineer-senior-principal-ravl-toronto-vjr20cvktck1) — Toronto, Canada - [AI Solutions Engineer (Senior / Principal)](https://feeny.ai/job/ai-solutions-engineer-senior-principal-ravl-toronto-cbdndn4541wx) — Toronto, Canada - [AI Solutions Architect (Senior and Principal)](https://feeny.ai/job/ai-solutions-architect-senior-and-principal-ravl-toronto-akvrxw40mna2) — Toronto, Canada - [Python Automation Developer, Network Security](https://feeny.ai/job/python-automation-developer-network-security-ravl-toronto-bj7n3d592md1) — Toronto, Canada - [Financial Operations Analyst](https://feeny.ai/job/financial-operations-analyst-ravl-toronto-59jmg8bp2baq) — Toronto, Canada - [Senior Disaster Recovery Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-disaster-recovery-specialist-ravl-toronto-rsandvhnjdez) — Toronto, Canada - [Senior Platform Engineer, AI](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-platform-engineer-ai-ravl-toronto-6x7vq4g00yyd) — Toronto, Canada - [Principal Platform Engineer, AI](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-platform-engineer-ai-ravl-toronto-8crxc37zqkv3) — Toronto, Canada