Senior Principal Forward Deployed AI Engineer (Remote Eligible)
Smartsheet · Remote · United States · 5mo ago
For over 20 years, Smartsheet has empowered teams to manage work seamlessly and scale solutions smarter. Now, in our most ambitious chapter yet, we are uniting human teams with AI agents. By orchestrating the work agents do best, automating manual tasks and uncovering insights at scale, we create the space for people to focus on what truly matters: judgment, creativity, and big thinking. That is magic at work, and it’s what we show up for every day.
You independently lead the most complex AI deployments Smartsheet undertakes. You own the full engagement lifecycle from technical discovery through production deployment through solutions org handoff. You architect multi-agent solutions, design client-personalized MCP resource packs, and build the Deployment Kits that transform how 200+ solutions consultants and partners operate. You mentor junior FDEs, drive the intelligence loop, and present field findings at weekly Applied AI strategy sessions. You are building a function, not filling a role.
What You Will Do
- Lead complex, multi-system AI deployments end-to-end scope, architect, build, validate, and manage the customer relationship throughout.
- Own the AI workshop program for your pod, customize modules per customer, lead technical sessions, translate outputs into production requirements, evolve content from field learning.
- Architect multi-agent solutions selecting the right coordination pattern for each customer’s workflow characteristics and compliance requirements.
- Design client-specific and industry-specific MCP resource packs that serve personalized intelligence from the server so every connected AI surface gets smarter for that customer automatically.
- Own Deployment Kit quality for your pod. If a kit is not documented well enough for a solutions consultant with no engineering background to follow, it isn’t done.
- Lead Solutions Enablement Sprints: transfer AI deployment patterns to solutions consultants and partners with training materials and certification criteria.
- Drive the intelligence loop: author strategic memos, present field findings weekly, contribute Agent Bricks and Skills, file RFCs for platform improvements.
- Mentor junior FDEs on customer engagements, code reviews, and Deployment Kit quality.
What You Bring
- 10+ years production software engineering, including 3+ years deploying AI/ML to production. Deep Python; strong TypeScript/JavaScript.
- Proven track record leading complex enterprise technical engagements. You’ve managed customer relationships, navigated security reviews, and delivered production systems organizations depend on.
- Deep production LLM experience: multi-agent orchestration, MCP/tool-use, RAG optimization, evaluation frameworks, agent deployment at scale.
- System architecture expertise spanning enterprise systems, cloud infrastructure, and AI services explainable to a CIO and a junior engineer.
- Demonstrated ability to create reusable technical assets that others use in production. You think in platforms, not projects.
- Strong written and verbal communication. Architecture documents, runbooks, strategic memos, training materials. Your Deployment Kits are your portfolio.
- You leave teams better than you found them. You make sure the people you work with understand what was built, why it works, and how to own it without you.
- Ability to travel. This role requires domestic and international travel approximately 25–50% of the time.
- Legally eligible to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis
- BS or MS in Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent industry experience
Nice to Have:
- Experience founding or scaling an FDE/solutions engineering function.
- Technical founder background. Databricks, AWS Bedrock, or Temporal experience.
- Deep domain knowledge in healthcare, financial services, or government. Agent framework contributions (Strands SDK, LangChain, open-source MCP servers).
Current US Perks & Benefits:
- Employer subsidized medical/vision and dental coverage for full-time employees
- 401k Match to help you save for your future (50% of your contribution up to the first 6% of your eligible pay)
- Monthly stipend to support your work and productivity
- Flexible Time Away Program, plus Sick Time Off
- US employees are automatically covered under Smartsheet-sponsored life insurance, short-term, and long-term disability plans
- US employees receive 12 paid holidays per year
- Up to 24 weeks of Parental Leave
- Personal paid Volunteer Day to support our community
- Opportunities for professional growth and development including access to Udemy online courses
- Company Funded Perks, including a counseling membership, local retail discounts, and your own personal Smartsheet account
- Teleworking options from any registered location in the U.S. (role specific)
Smartsheet provides a competitive base salary range for roles that may be hired in different geographic areas we are licensed to operate our business from. Actual compensation is determined by several factors including, but not limited to, level of professional, educational experience, skills, and specific candidate location. In addition, this role will be eligible for a market competitive incentive opportunity.
Get to Know Us:
At Smartsheet, your ideas are heard, your potential is supported, and your contributions have real impact. You’ll have the freedom to explore, push boundaries, and grow beyond your role. We welcome diverse perspectives and nontraditional paths—because we know that impact comes from individuals who care deeply and challenge thoughtfully. When you’re doing work that stretches you, excites you, and connects you to something bigger, that’s magic at work. Let’s build what’s next, together.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Smartsheet is an Equal Opportunity (EEO) employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment with the best employees. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants in accordance with applicable laws in the US, UK, Australia, Germany, Costa Rica, Japan, Bulgaria, India, and Singapore. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
If there are preparations we can make to help ensure you have a comfortable and positive interview experience, please let us know.
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