AI Engineer Jobs in Vancouver
Your Gateway to Canadian Tech.

Vancouver's AI job market is anchored by Big Tech and entertainment. Amazon has a major engineering hub downtown. Microsoft and Apple have growing Vancouver offices. EA Sports and other gaming studios need ML engineers for player analytics and procedural content. VFX houses like Industrial Light & Magic and DNEG use AI for animation and rendering. Smaller AI startups in Gastown and Mount Pleasant are also hiring. In 2026, expect strong demand in cloud AI (Amazon/Microsoft), gaming ML, and computer vision for film.

Vancouver AI engineer salaries in 2026 typically range from $110,000-$180,000 CAD for mid-level roles, with senior positions at Big Tech reaching $200,000-$280,000 CAD including equity. Gaming and VFX roles trend slightly lower at $90,000-$150,000 CAD. While these numbers are below US equivalents, remember: Canadian healthcare, stronger labor protections, and Vancouver's quality of life offset some of the gap. Negotiate in CAD but benchmark against total compensation including benefits.

The main pathways for AI engineers in 2026: 1) Global Talent Stream (Category B) - fastest option, 2-week processing for skilled tech workers with a Canadian job offer. 2) Express Entry - points-based system where AI skills, education, and language scores matter. A job offer adds 50-200 CRS points. 3) Intra-company transfer - if you work for a multinational with Canadian offices. 4) BC PNP Tech - British Columbia's Provincial Nominee Program fast-tracks tech workers. Most engineers succeed through Global Talent Stream with an employer sponsoring the LMIA exemption.

Toronto has more AI jobs overall, especially in finance and healthcare AI. Vancouver excels in gaming, VFX, cloud infrastructure, and has a stronger startup culture per capita. Toronto salaries are slightly higher but so is competition. Vancouver offers better weather, outdoor lifestyle, and proximity to Seattle's tech scene (useful for networking). If you want gaming/entertainment AI or prioritize quality of life, choose Vancouver. For maximum job volume or fintech AI, Toronto may be better.

Yes, but hybrid is more common than fully remote. Amazon and Microsoft Vancouver offices typically expect 2-3 days in-office. Startups vary widely. Some Vancouver companies hire remotely across Canada, which is useful if you want a Vancouver salary while living somewhere cheaper. For international candidates, fully remote arrangements are rare due to tax complexity. Most employers want you in Canada, even if not in Vancouver specifically.

Vancouver is expensive. Expect $2,000-$3,000 CAD monthly for a one-bedroom apartment downtown, less in suburbs like Burnaby or New Westminster (well-connected by SkyTrain). On a $150,000 CAD salary, you'll live comfortably but won't save as aggressively as you might in a lower-cost Canadian city. The trade-off is access to mountains, ocean, mild weather, and a vibrant tech community. Many engineers find the lifestyle worth the premium, especially coming from equally expensive US cities.

Not necessarily. While some programming experience is helpful, many of my clients have successfully transitioned from web development, data science, or other technical backgrounds. We'll assess your current skills during our strategy call and create a personalized plan that meets you where you are.

Most clients invest 10-15 hours per week, but this can be flexible based on your schedule. We'll have weekly 1:1 calls plus time for you to work on projects and learning. The key is consistency. Regular, focused effort beats occasional marathons.

You become a member of the AI Native Engineer community, and you stay and keep going. Career transitions take different amounts of time for everyone, and I'm not going to abandon you if things take longer. You get ongoing support through good times and bad.

Online courses give you content. 1:1 coaching gives you a personalized roadmap, direct feedback on your work, career strategy, interview prep, and accountability. You get answers to your specific questions and guidance tailored to your unique situation instead of generic advice meant for everyone.

Investment details are discussed during the 30-minute strategy call, where we'll assess your goals and create a custom plan. The program is designed to pay for itself quickly through your increased salary. Most AI engineers see a 20-50% pay increase.

Absolutely. Most of my clients work full-time and make steady progress. We'll schedule calls at times that work for you and create a realistic plan that fits your schedule. Consistency matters more than intensity.