Founding ML / Data Engineer

About Datapace

Solutions Datapace inc. is a Montreal-based technology startup developing an intelligent data platform: a semantic layer on top of enterprise databases that enables AI agents to access data securely, without compromising data privacy. On this platform, we are building productized use cases, including automated data migrations to ERP systems, database auditing, and enterprise data valorization.

Incorporated in 2026 in Quebec and a member of the NEXT AI 2026 cohort, Datapace is led by its two co-founders and is currently building its engineering team in Montreal. Joining us today means contributing to shaping the product, technology, and culture of the company from its very first chapters.

The Role

As the first engineer to join the team, you will play a decisive role in designing the technological core of Datapace: the data pipelines and machine learning systems that power our platform and AI agents. You will work directly with the co-founders, make foundational technical decisions, and help establish our engineering practice.

This position reports to the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and co-founder.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, and operate the data pipelines that ingest, normalize, and structure client database context, including schemas, metadata, and operational signals.
• Develop and improve the machine learning models that structure data context and power platform use cases (data migration, database auditing, data valorization).
• Design and evolve the evaluation system, including test sets, benchmarks, and quality metrics, that validates the reliability of platform-generated recommendations.
• Integrate and orchestrate large language models (LLMs) within the platform and its AI agents.
• Implement automated validation mechanisms that ensure the reliability and safety of agent outputs.
• Optimize the performance, latency, and cost of the platform's AI components.
• Participate in technical architecture decisions and product choices alongside the co-founders.
• Establish and promote good engineering practices: automated testing, observability, code review, and documentation.
• Contribute to the growth of the technical team, including recruiting and mentoring future members.

Requirements

• University degree in computer science, engineering, data science, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in data engineering, machine learning, or backend software development.
• Excellent proficiency in Python.
• Strong experience with relational databases, especially PostgreSQL, and data modeling.
• Proven experience designing and operating production data pipelines.
• Practical knowledge of integrating AI models or machine learning systems.
• Autonomy, product sense, and comfort operating in a startup environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively in French and English.

Nice to Have

• Experience with Rust or strong interest in learning it.
• Familiarity with asynchronous task processing systems and queues (e.g., Redis).
• Knowledge of database performance optimization: execution plans, indexing, query tuning.
• Experience with MLOps practices or LLM evaluation frameworks.
• Experience with cloud deployment.
• Open source contributions.

What We Offer

• A genuine founding role with direct and lasting influence on the product, technology, and culture of the company.
• Competitive compensation of CA$90,000 to CA$115,000 per year, based on experience.
• Equity participation (stock option plan).
• Hybrid work mode from our Montreal offices.
• Support and network of the NEXT AI ecosystem.
• The opportunity to build, from the ground up, a world-class engineering team and practices.

Eligibility

This position is open to individuals legally authorized to work permanently in Canada (Canadian citizens and permanent residents). The position is based in Montreal, Quebec.

How to Apply

Send your resume with a short cover letter to carrieres@datapace.ai with "Founding ML / Data Engineer" in the subject line.

Pay: $90,000.00-$115,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Stock options

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Montréal, QC