Member of Technical Staff (Forward Deployed Engineer, Applied AI)

About the Role

The role involves working on two closely connected areas: Perplexity's API Platform and Perplexity Computer. The API Platform integrates search, retrieval, and AI capabilities into enterprise systems, while Perplexity Computer extends this integration into the execution of AI systems that navigate tools, interact with applications, and complete multi-step workflows.

Your day-to-day activities will involve collaborating with cross-functional teams, including sales and product teams, to identify new use cases, drive expansion, and translate deployment learnings into product and platform improvements. You will also work on prototyping new integration patterns, building reusable architectures, and ensuring reliability, performance, and scalability in production environments.

What You Will Do

• Design, build, and deploy end-to-end integrations between Perplexity and enterprise systems, including data platforms, internal tools, and SaaS applications
• Work directly with customer teams to embed AI into existing processes, owning deployments from initial architecture through production rollout and ongoing optimization
• Develop and operationalize integrations using APIs, event-driven architectures, and workflow orchestration, including deploying Perplexity Computer for multi-step, agent-driven workflows
• Design and build production systems that combine retrieval, reasoning, and execution across enterprise environments, applying deep expertise in LLM capabilities, implementation patterns, and the AI stack
• Debug and resolve issues across APIs, infrastructure, and external dependencies, ensuring reliability, performance, and scalability in production environments
• Prototype new integration patterns and build reusable architectures that accelerate adoption across customers
• Partner with Sales and Product to unlock new use cases, drive expansion, and translate deployment learnings into product and platform improvements
• Collaborate with customer teams to identify new use cases and drive adoption of AI-powered solutions
• Develop and maintain technical documentation of integrations and systems, ensuring knowledge sharing across teams

What We Are Looking For

• 5+ years of experience in software engineering, forward deployed engineering, solutions engineering, or similar roles, with a track record of building and shipping production systems in customer-facing environments
• Strong programming ability in Python (plus one of JavaScript/TypeScript, Java, etc.) with experience developing integrations, prototypes, and scalable applications
• Deep experience with APIs and distributed systems, including authentication, latency optimization, and debugging across complex, multi-system environments
• Production experience building LLM-powered systems, including prompt engineering, agent workflows, evaluation, and deploying AI systems at scale
• Proven ability to design and implement automated, end-to-end workflows that integrate across enterprise systems and replace manual processes
• High ownership and ability to operate in ambiguous environments, with strong system design, rapid prototyping skills, and end-to-end execution
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with experience working cross-functionally and engaging both technical teams and executive stakeholders
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to debug and resolve complex technical issues

Nice to Have

• Experience with search systems, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), or AI/ML APIs
• Background in developer tools, platform engineering, or high-scale/low-latency systems
• Familiarity with Excel and experience with data analysis and visualization tools
• Experience working with cross-functional teams, including sales, product, and engineering teams

Benefits and Perks

• Competitive compensation package
• Equity in a fast-growing company
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible PTO policy and remote work stipend
• Opportunities for professional growth and career development
• Access to cutting-edge technologies and tools
• Collaborative and dynamic work environment
• Recognition and reward for outstanding performance

• Showcase your proficiency in programming languages like Python, JavaScript, and Java, and highlight your experience with APIs and distributed systems.
• Be prepared to discuss your experience with LLM-powered systems, including prompt engineering and agent workflows, and provide examples of your work.
• Demonstrate your ability to design and implement automated, end-to-end workflows that integrate across enterprise systems and replace manual processes.
• Highlight your experience working with cross-functional teams, including sales, product, and engineering teams, and showcase your communication and collaboration skills.
• Be prepared to discuss your experience with debugging and resolving complex technical issues, and provide examples of your problem-solving skills.
• Consider creating a portfolio that showcases your work on AI-powered systems and integrations, and be prepared to walk through your design and development process.