Lead design and delivery of scalable backend systems integrating LLMs, vector stores, RAG pipelines, and AI agents. Architect cloud-native solutions on GCP/Vertex AI, mentor engineers, coordinate agent-driven implementation, ensure observability and reliability, and communicate technical strategy to clients and stakeholders.
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:
The Principal Agentic Engineer (Back-end) is a senior technical leader within our engineering organization, responsible for designing, building, and scaling robust backend systems that support modern, AI-powered digital products. This role combines deep backend engineering expertise with strong architectural judgment, AI-system fluency, and client-facing leadership.
As a Principal Agentic Engineer, you will lead technical direction across complex backend systems, mentor engineers, and partner closely with clients and internal teams to deliver production-grade solutions. You will play a critical role in designing distributed, cloud-native architectures and integrating large language models (LLMs), vector databases, and AI agents into real-world applications. You will engineer teams of coding agents to accomplish implementation requirements for the systems you will be building.
You bring proven leadership at a Staff or Lead level, with a track record of delivering complex software initiatives end-to-end. You operate with high autonomy and can take loosely defined goals and turn them into well-architected, shipped software.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead the design and development of scalable, secure, and high-performance backend systems using Python and modern cloud-native patterns.
- Apply spec-driven development practices to ensure clarity, quality, and predictable delivery.
- Organizing, distributing and translating backlog requirements from Product, UX and other disciplines, into detailed spec driven requirements for Agents to implement.
- Coordinate teams of coding agents to deliver engineering requirements.
- Design and implement RESTful APIs to support frontend, mobile, and third-party integrations.
- Architect and deliver AI-powered backend solutions, including: Vector stores and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) pipelines, integration with LLMs (e.g., Gemini, Claude, GPT-4/5), and use of AI coding agents and developer copilots to improve delivery velocity.
- Develop and maintain systems using Google Cloud Platform (GCP), with hands-on experience in, Vertex AI, Google Gen AI APIs.
- Leverage Agent Development Kits (ADKs) (e.g., Google ADK) to design and implement intelligent agent-based systems.
- Ensure systems are observable, reliable, and debuggable in production environments.
- Collaborate with engineers to design well-architected, maintainable solutions aligned with business goals.
- Mentor and guide engineers, fostering technical excellence and continuous learning.
- Partner with Project Managers and cross-functional teams to manage delivery risks and timelines.
- Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including clients.
REQUIREMENTS
- Strong experience with Python 3 for backend development.
- Experience designing and consuming RESTful APIs.
- Proven experience with spec-driven development.
- Hands-on experience using AI coding agents (e.g., Copilot, Claude Code).
- Strong prompt engineering skills.
- Experience working with LLMs (e.g., Gemini 3, Claude Opus, GPT-4.x/5.x).
- Experience implementing vector stores and RAG architectures.
- Experience with Agent Development Kits (e.g., Google ADK).
- Strong experience with Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
- Hands-on experience with Vertex AI and Google Gen AI APIs.
- Experience with relational and non-relational databases.
- Experience with Git and CI/CD pipelines.
- Strong system design fundamentals, including queues, caching strategies, database schema design, and API design. You know how to build systems that survive and scale in production.
- Experience designing AI agents, agent task planning, and reasoning patterns.
- Agent observability and debugging experience.
- Ability to clearly articulate goals, constraints, and context for agentic systems; reason through edge cases and failure modes; and iteratively refine agent behavior based on observed outcomes.
- Comfort understanding and integrating across the full stack; experience with TypeScript and modern JavaScript is highly beneficial.
- Excellent English communication skills (written and verbal), with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Excellent command of the English language to guide coding agents to complete required coding tasks.
- Experience working effectively with fully remote, distributed teams.
- Experience working in a consultancy, agency, or professional services firm.
- Ability to thrive in a flexible, fast-paced delivery environment.
NICE TO HAVES
- Experience with BMAD Method or similar spec driven development frameworks.
- Familiarity with layered and distributed architectures.
- Experience with Terraform.
- Experience with additional backend languages.
- Experience with gRPC or other communication patterns.
- Experience with eCommerce platforms or complex integrations.
#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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