Technical Lead

About Apply Digital

Apply Digital is a global experience transformation partner, driving AI-powered change and measurable impact across complex, multi-brand ecosystems. With expertise spanning strategy, design, and engineering, we enable clients to modernize organizations and maximize value. Our 750+ team members have transformed global companies like Kraft Heinz, NFL, Moderna, and Lululemon. Founded in 2016 in Vancouver, Canada, Apply Digital has expanded to ten cities globally.

At Apply Digital, we operate with a “One Team” approach, using a ‘pod’ structure that brings together senior leadership, subject matter experts, and cross-functional skills within a common tech and delivery framework. This is supported by scrum and sprint cadences to ensure frequent releases and continuous improvement. We foster a safe, empowered, respectful, and fun community, embodying our SHAPE values: smart, humble, active, positive, and excellent. Visit our Careers page to learn more.

The Role: Technical Lead

The Technical Lead is a critical leader responsible for the successful construction and delivery of complex, innovation-forward client projects. In this role, you will spearhead “Content Scaling” and “Brand Standards” initiatives, leveraging next-generation AI-driven workflows.

You are a master of delivery, leading through strong technical execution, pragmatic problem-solving, and a deep commitment to team health. This is a high-autonomy position; while often partnering with Solution Architects, you must be comfortable operating as the sole technical leader, owning the build from architectural vision to final deployment. We don’t expect you to be an AI expert today. We seek a Master of Engineering Fundamentals eager to evolve. If you possess battle-tested experience to discern good architecture from bad code and identify bottlenecks, we will teach you the AI stack.

Responsibilities

• Delivery & Execution Ownership: Drive the team by translating high-level architectural blueprints into detailed, executable technical tasks for yourself and the team, owning the implementation’s 'how'.
• Engineering Rigor & Quality: Ensure the entire solution, from API design and data handling to security and integration, meets production standards, transitioning from prototype to enterprise-grade with discipline.
• Learn & Implement AI Patterns: Progress from standard backend work to building next-generation features, guided by a Principal engineer, implementing Agentic Workflows, RAG Systems, and GCP Integration (Vertex AI).
• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Act as the primary mentor for your engineering team, fostering psychological safety for experimentation with new AI tools while maintaining engineering rigor.
• Partnership: Collaborate in a 'two-in-a-box' model with Solution Architects or directly with Client Stakeholders to manage scope, expectations, and technical realities.

Requirements

• Proven Leadership: Significant track record (Staff/Lead level) in delivering complex software projects and mentoring teams, demonstrating high autonomy in transforming vague goals into shipped software.
• Generalist "Chops": Deep proficiency in modern software development, comfortable across the full stack, with an understanding of integrating new technologies. Strong Typescript and modern Javascript development experience is highly preferred.
• System Design Fundamentals: Expert knowledge of queues, caching, database schemas, and API design, capable of building production-ready systems.
• Curiosity: Demonstrated interest in Generative AI and a strong desire to make it a career focus. Comfort reading Python is a strong plus.
• Communication: Excellent English communication skills (written and verbal) to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Remote Collaboration: Proven experience working effectively with distributed teams across North America and LATAM time zones.

What We Offer

• The AI Upskill: A paid opportunity to learn the most in-demand tech stack (GenAI, LLMs, Agents) while applying your existing backend expertise.
• Global Impact: Work on enterprise-scale projects for major global brands.

Life at Apply Digital

At Apply Digital, people are at the core of everything we do. We prioritize your time, safety, and health, striving to build a thriving work community. We offer:

• Great projects: Broaden your skills on engaging projects with international brands.
• An inclusive and safe environment: Committed to a culture where everyone feels welcome and valued.
• Learning opportunities: Generous training budgets, tech certifications, custom learning plans, workshops, mentorship, and peer support.
• Generous vacation policy: Flexible personal time off (PTO) to promote well-being.
• Customizable benefits: Tailor your extended health and dental plan.
• Flexible work arrangements: Remote, in-office, or hybrid options.

Apply Digital values diversity, equity, and inclusion. If you require accommodation, please email accessibility@applydigital.com. We may use AI tools in hiring; final decisions are human-made. Contact us for data processing information.

Key skills/competency

• Technical Leadership
• Software Development
• AI-driven Workflows
• System Design
• Typescript/Javascript
• Generative AI (GenAI)
• LLMs (Large Language Models)
• Agentic Workflows
• RAG Systems
• GCP/Vertex AI