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Distinguished Engineer, Data & ML/AI, Office of the CTO - Job Opportunity at Equinix

Toronto, Canada
Full-time
Executive
Posted: August 11, 2025
On-site
CAD 275,000 - CAD 350,000 annually, positioning in the top 5% of technical compensation in the Canadian market. This range reflects the distinguished engineer level, the strategic nature of the Office of the CTO role, and Equinix's position as a global infrastructure leader requiring world-class technical talent.

Benefits

Comprehensive professional development opportunities with exposure to cutting-edge technology initiatives that position employees at the forefront of digital infrastructure innovation
Mentorship and thought leadership platform providing visibility in industry forums and technical communities
Collaborative work environment fostering diversity in thought and contribution with equitable workplace policies
Access to global digital infrastructure platform spanning over 260 data centers worldwide
Opportunity to influence technology vision and strategy at executive level through Office of the CTO engagement
Sustainability-focused initiatives aligning personal values with corporate environmental responsibility

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic technology architecture decisions for end-to-end data lifecycle management across Equinix's global digital infrastructure platform, directly impacting the company's ability to serve digital leaders worldwide
Drive comprehensive technical expertise across critical domains including data engineering, analytics and ML, and data governance, positioning Equinix as a leader in software-defined infrastructure solutions
Execute high-impact proof-of-concept initiatives that directly influence multi-million dollar technology investment decisions and architectural roadmaps for mission-critical deployments
Establish thought leadership presence in the industry through strategic engagements that enhance Equinix's market position and technical credibility in the digital infrastructure space
Mentor and guide technical teams while fostering innovation culture within one of the world's largest digital infrastructure companies

Requirements

Education

Preferably, a Ph.D. or master's degree in computer science, or relevant engineering field

Experience

12+ years of relevant technology, architecture or engineering leadership experience

Required Skills

Demonstrable leadership, visionary accomplishments, and extensive experience in developing data-related technologies and architectures implemented in large-scale/mission-critical deployments Solid background in data infrastructure architecture, engineering, DevOps, security, tooling, products Solid understanding of data-as-a-service architectures Excellent writing and verbal communications skills from engineering to executive Excellent collaboration and people skills Strong passion for data life cycle management Diverse technological background in areas pertinent to data and infrastructure, including distributed systems, cloud-native computing, machine learning, and artificial intelligence
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The digital infrastructure market is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by edge computing adoption, with companies requiring distributed data processing capabilities closer to end users. This trend is particularly significant for data center operators like Equinix who must architect ML/AI solutions that can operate across geographically distributed infrastructure. Enterprise AI adoption is shifting from experimental phases to production-scale deployments, creating massive demand for robust MLOps platforms and data lifecycle management solutions. Organizations are seeking infrastructure partners who can provide not just hardware but intelligent software layers for AI workloads. Data sovereignty and regulatory compliance requirements are reshaping how global infrastructure companies architect their data platforms, with increasing need for sophisticated governance frameworks that can operate across multiple jurisdictions while maintaining performance. The convergence of 5G, IoT, and edge computing is creating new architectural paradigms where traditional centralized data processing models are being replaced by intelligent, distributed systems that require novel approaches to data orchestration and ML model deployment.

Role Significance

Typically interfaces with and influences 50-100+ engineers across multiple teams while directly collaborating with 8-12 senior architects and principal engineers. The role serves as a technical force multiplier, with decisions and recommendations cascading through large engineering organizations.
This represents the pinnacle of individual contributor technical roles, equivalent to Senior Director level influence without direct management responsibilities. The position operates as a technical executive with authority to shape company-wide technology strategy and architectural decisions that impact billions in infrastructure investments.

Key Projects

Architecture and implementation of next-generation data platforms capable of processing petabytes of infrastructure telemetry data across 260+ global data centers Development of AI-driven infrastructure optimization systems that can predict capacity needs, optimize power usage, and automate resource allocation across global footprint Creation of sophisticated MLOps platforms that enable rapid deployment and scaling of machine learning models across distributed edge computing environments Design of comprehensive data governance frameworks that ensure compliance with global privacy regulations while enabling advanced analytics and AI capabilities

Success Factors

Exceptional ability to translate complex technical concepts into business value propositions that resonate with C-level executives and board members, as the role requires frequent interaction with senior leadership and external stakeholders. Deep understanding of hyperscale infrastructure challenges combined with practical experience implementing solutions that have demonstrated measurable impact on business outcomes in enterprise environments. Proven track record of building and evangelizing technical communities both internally and externally, as thought leadership and industry influence are critical components of the role's value proposition. Strategic thinking capabilities that can anticipate technology trends 3-5 years ahead and position the organization to capitalize on emerging opportunities before competitors. Cross-functional collaboration expertise enabling effective partnership with product management, business development, and customer-facing teams to ensure technical solutions align with market demands.

Market Demand

Exceptionally high demand with limited supply of qualified candidates. The intersection of distinguished-level engineering expertise, data infrastructure architecture experience, and strategic leadership capabilities creates a highly competitive market where top-tier companies actively compete for talent.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Data lifecycle management expertise is absolutely essential as the role focuses on architecting solutions that handle massive volumes of infrastructure data with strict reliability and performance requirements. The ability to design systems that can process, store, and analyze data at petabyte scale while maintaining sub-millisecond latencies for critical operations represents the core technical competency required for success. Distributed systems architecture knowledge is fundamental given Equinix's global infrastructure footprint and the need to design solutions that can operate consistently across diverse geographic regions, regulatory environments, and network conditions. Understanding of consensus algorithms, distributed databases, and global data replication strategies is crucial for building resilient systems. Machine learning and AI capabilities are increasingly important as infrastructure operations become more intelligent and automated. The ability to design and implement ML systems that can predict equipment failures, optimize resource allocation, and automate operational processes directly impacts the company's competitive advantage and operational efficiency. Executive communication skills are critical for success in the Office of the CTO environment, where technical recommendations must be translated into business strategy and communicated effectively to board members, investors, and senior executives who make multi-billion dollar infrastructure investment decisions.

Beneficial Skills

Edge computing and 5G technologies represent emerging areas where infrastructure companies can differentiate themselves by enabling new use cases and business models. Understanding of edge orchestration platforms, network slicing, and ultra-low latency computing architectures positions the role to influence next-generation infrastructure offerings. Sustainability and green computing expertise is becoming increasingly valuable as enterprises focus on environmental responsibility and regulatory compliance. Knowledge of power optimization algorithms, renewable energy integration, and carbon footprint measurement tools aligns with Equinix's sustainability commitments and customer demands. Blockchain and distributed ledger technologies offer potential applications in infrastructure automation, smart contracts for capacity management, and decentralized identity management systems that could enhance security and operational efficiency across global infrastructure platforms. Quantum computing preparedness, while still emerging, represents a long-term strategic consideration for infrastructure companies that must ensure their platforms can support quantum-classical hybrid workloads as the technology matures and becomes commercially viable.

Unique Aspects

Direct reporting relationship to the Office of the CTO provides unprecedented access to executive decision-making processes and strategic planning initiatives that shape the future of global digital infrastructure
Opportunity to influence technology decisions that impact thousands of enterprise customers and millions of end users, with the potential to drive industry-wide architectural changes
Access to proprietary data and insights from operating one of the world's largest digital infrastructure platforms, enabling unique research and development opportunities
Platform for establishing thought leadership in the intersection of data infrastructure, AI/ML, and edge computing through industry conferences, publications, and strategic partnerships
Exposure to cutting-edge use cases across diverse industries including financial services, content delivery, cloud computing, and emerging technologies like autonomous vehicles and IoT

Career Growth

Career progression to C-level roles typically occurs within 3-5 years for distinguished engineers who successfully demonstrate business impact and thought leadership. The trajectory is often accelerated by the high visibility nature of Office of the CTO roles and the strategic relationships developed with industry leaders.

Potential Next Roles

Chief Technology Officer or Chief Data Officer roles at mid-to-large enterprises seeking to transform their digital infrastructure capabilities Technical Co-founder or CTO positions at well-funded startups focused on infrastructure, data platforms, or AI/ML technologies Senior Principal Technologist or Technical Fellow roles at major cloud providers or technology companies Independent consulting or advisory positions serving multiple organizations while maintaining thought leadership presence in the industry

Company Overview

Equinix

Equinix stands as the world's digital infrastructure company, operating the largest global platform of interconnected data centers with over 260 facilities across six continents. The company serves as the foundational infrastructure layer enabling digital transformation for enterprises, cloud providers, and network operators, with a particular strength in interconnection services that facilitate direct, private connections between organizations.

Equinix holds a dominant position in the global colocation and interconnection market, consistently ranked as the industry leader with significantly higher market capitalization than competitors. The company's strategic focus on software-defined infrastructure and platform services represents a successful evolution from traditional data center operations to intelligent infrastructure solutions.
The Toronto location positions this role at the heart of Canada's technology ecosystem, with proximity to major financial institutions, technology companies, and government organizations that represent key Equinix customers. This geographic position offers unique opportunities to influence the development of Canadian digital infrastructure while contributing to North American market strategy.
Equinix maintains a culture that balances the operational excellence required for mission-critical infrastructure with the innovation mindset necessary for technology leadership. The company's commitment to diversity, sustainability, and professional development creates an environment where senior technical leaders can pursue both individual growth and significant business impact.
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