System Architect - FTA

SIA Innovations INC • Montreal, QC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The System Architect (Apprentice) role is a 16-month structured apprenticeship designed for driven recent graduates aiming to launch their careers in AI-driven system design and enterprise technology. This program combines hands-on client project work with dedicated learning to progressively build architectural range and technical depth. Apprentices are expected to invest a minimum of 8 hours per week in structured internal learning across cognitive skills, interpersonal development, industry knowledge, and technical expertise, with a strong emphasis on staying current with AI and enterprise technology.

SIA Innovations is a boutique digital transformation consultancy specializing in AI and hybrid cloud adoption, using IBM's enterprise technology stack. They work with Fortune 500 and public-sector organizations to modernize operations and build AI-first, data-driven enterprises. The firm's mission is to continuously raise business performance through applied, technology-enabled innovation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 3.5 GPA required.
• Systems thinking: the ability to decompose business outcomes into human and machine tasks, define handoffs, and reason across the full system boundary.
• Agentic workflow design: defining goals, constraints, and guardrails for autonomous AI agents operating in real business environments.
• Orchestration literacy: event-driven architectures, workflow engines, and multi-agent coordination patterns.
• Observability: specifying what agents must expose for monitoring, debugging, and continuous improvement.
• Prompt engineering: writing clear, unambiguous instructions that function as executable design artifacts.
• Backend and integrations: Python, REST APIs, OAuth2/JWT, OpenAPI, and MCP/tool integration.
• Agentic AI and LLMs: agent frameworks, multi-agent workflows, and conversational AI development.
• RAG and knowledge systems: embeddings, vector databases, chunking strategies, and retrieval patterns.
• Cloud and infrastructure: IBM Cloud or AWS, object storage, and foundational deployment concepts.
• System design: end-to-end architecture, agent workflow modelling, and C4-level architectural thinking.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and communication platforms such as Webex or Slack.
• Full professional bilingualism in French and English, spoken and written, is required.
• Strong presentation and storytelling skills: the ability to distil complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives for any audience.
• Consistent, reliable delivery against milestones and deadlines.
• Proactive, outcome-oriented communication with clients, project leads, and senior stakeholders.
• Discipline, organisation, and time management across concurrent priorities.
• Demonstrate integrity: say what you mean and consistently do what you say.
• Emotionally intelligent — self-aware, empathetic, interpersonally sensitive, and composed under pressure.
• Creative mindset grounded in business and technology context, going beyond conventional solutions.
• Lead by attitude and behaviour, not by title.
• A structured problem-solver: navigate complex, open-ended challenges with no predefined answer.
• A strategic thinker: connect business context to technology possibilities.
• A multi-threaded thinker: hold and advance several lines of analysis at once.
• An agile learner: absorb new tools, frameworks, and domain knowledge quickly.
• Intellectually resilient: sustain rigorous thinking in high-intensity, fast-moving environments.
• A systems thinker: understand how the components of a business or technology ecosystem interact and influence one another.
• Ambition to grow a career.
• Passion for leveraging technology to raise the bar on performance.
• Drive to invest meaningfully in own success.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree is an asset.
• Prior hands-on experience with IBM offerings or modern GenAI tooling is a strong asset.

Responsibilities

• Design AI-agent system architectures from ambiguous client needs, turning vague objectives into executable, verifiable blueprints.
• Identify automation opportunities and define the boundaries between autonomous agent behaviour and human oversight.
• Build reusable agent components and architectural patterns for SIA's internal library of intellectual property.
• Contribute to R&D initiatives developing new SIA intellectual property and proprietary methodologies.
• Conduct applied research to enhance SIA's service offerings and delivery frameworks.
• Support the onboarding of new team members into SIA's tools, processes, and culture.
• Maintain an active professional presence through IBM TechXchange communities, industry meetups, and networking events.
• Lead outcome-focused requirements workshops with client stakeholders before any technology discussion begins.
• Translate client business rules and constraints into agent-ready specifications and governance policies.
• Maintain system boundary documentation that clearly defines AI versus human ownership at every stage.
• Partner with client stakeholders to manage expectations, coordinate activities, and keep all parties informed throughout the engagement lifecycle.
• Manage end-to-end project delivery coordination: tasks, communications, dependencies, and progress reporting through to client sign-off.
• Support technical leads by managing schedules, tracking task interdependencies, and preparing progress reports.
• Contribute to business development through discovery meetings, client presentations, and proposal development.
• Guide new team members through SIA's culture, ways of working, and professional standards.
• Develop your professional brand through LinkedIn activity and IBM partner community engagement.
• Participate in SIA corporate events, IBM and Arrow learning sessions, client relationship activities, and industry conferences.
• Prepare and deliver monthly Cool Stuff to Know presentations on IBM products, emerging AI technologies, and agentic system design patterns.
• Participate actively in your assigned IBM TechXchange community and SIA studio sessions.
• Contribute to solution designs that are innovative, operationally viable, and built to last.
• Engage in ongoing research and experimental development to refine SIA's methodologies and service offerings.
• Take shared ownership of business outcomes with your project team.
• Manage project delivery end-to-end: activities, communications, and progress reporting.
• Support the marketing and sales team through discovery meetings, business case development, and RFP responses.
• Relieve technical service leaders of administrative burden by managing schedules, interdependencies, and resource availability.

Benefits

• Comprehensive group insurance plan (dental, medical, life insurance, disability, and more)
• Competitive base salary with performance-based incentives
• Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Fully stocked snack and refreshment station
• Active social event program, including family-friendly engagement activities throughout the year

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees