Forward Deployment Engineer, Okta for AI

Okta•Washington, DC

6d•$206,000 - $383,000•Remote

About The Position

Identity is the key to unlocking the potential of AI. Okta secures AI by building the trusted, neutral infrastructure that enables organizations to safely embrace this new era. This work requires a relentless drive to solve complex challenges with real-world stakes. We are looking for builders and owners who operate with speed and urgency and execute with excellence. This is an opportunity to do career-defining work. We're all in on this mission. If you are too, let's talk. As a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDEs) you will operate at the intersection of product engineering and customer impact. As an FDE, you will be embedded within some of Okta’s most strategic customers, working side-by-side with their engineering teams to build and deploy solutions using our platform. Unlike traditional Solutions Architects or Solutions Consultants, you will write production code, shape technical architecture, and directly influence how Okta's products are used at massive scale as we are on our mission to Secure AI. In this role, you will be the key liaison as both a technical extension of understanding our customers needs, and knowing what our engineering teams can build at scale - helping us win the Agentic Security market!

Requirements

10+ years in identity, cybersecurity, AI, or Data Science.
Experience driving technical customer success beyond the initial sale, including implementation, health monitoring, and expansion.
Deep understanding of AI/ML technologies (anomaly detection, LLMs) and Agentic Frameworks (A2A, MCP, and relevant protocols).
Strong credibility with enterprise CISOs and boards, with a proven track record of shaping cybersecurity strategy.
Ability to create repeatable playbooks and "backbone" assets that allow a sales organization to scale.
Prior experience as a CTO, Field CTO, or Distinguished Architect in a cybersecurity or SaaS company.
Advanced degree in a technical or business-related field.

Responsibilities

Lead the development of Lab/Demo assets and AI prototyping.
Create "The Engine" for sales velocity by ensuring pricing strategies and technical execution are aligned with field reality.
Develop reference architectures, whitepapers, and standardized POC guides.
Create the "Backbone" of knowledge—centralized hubs and reporting dashboards—to scale AI expertise globally.
Provide strategic guidance to SEs, TAMs, and Professional Services.
Act as the feedback loop, funneling field insights back to Product to close technical gaps and ensure the solution fits complex customer environments.
Represent Okta's AI strategy at conferences and analyst briefings while building alliances with cloud and AI partners to accelerate innovation.
Act as the executive AI authority for Okta’s portfolio.
Partner with the CPO, CISO, and Engineering to influence roadmaps with "AI-first" innovations and modular, repeatable solution patterns.
Serve as a trusted advisor to CISOs and CIOs.
Lead high-impact POCs to secure "The Win," and remain engaged through outcome mapping to ensure the technical delivery matches the initial vision.
Identify technical upsell opportunities through successful usage.
Partner with Post-Sales teams to develop runbooks and implementation guides that reduce manual effort and increase customer adoption.