Principal Forward Deployed Engineer
About The Position
We are seeking a Principal Forward Deployed Engineer to drive the most complex, high-impact enterprise engagements across UKG’s HCM, Payroll, and Workforce Management ecosystem. This role blends principal-level architecture, agentic AI leadership, and multi-engagement execution across strategic accounts. You will operate as a senior technical leader handling multiple concurrent initiatives, shaping customer outcomes, platform evolution, and AI-driven transformation. This is a hands-on leadership role at the intersection of engineering, product, and revenue — not a services role. Scope & Impact: • Own and oversee multiple complex enterprise engagements simultaneously • Define architecture patterns adopted across customers and regions • Drive AI-enabled transformation strategies across strategic accounts • Influence product roadmap, platform capabilities, and go-to-market strategy • Operate with high autonomy and accountability for business and technical outcomes Why This Role Matters: This role defines how UKG scales enterprise delivery, architecture, and AI-driven innovation across its largest customers. You will drive multi-account impact, shape platform evolution, and establish UKG as a leader in enterprise AI-enabled workforce solutions.
Requirements
- 12–15+ years in software engineering, architecture, or distributed systems
- Deep expertise in enterprise integrations (APIs, event-driven systems, data pipelines, IAM)
- Strong cloud architecture experience (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
- Proven experience leading complex, multi-threaded enterprise initiatives
- Strong executive communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to operate across multiple priorities in high-ambiguity environments
- Experience with AI-enabled systems, LLMs, copilots, or automation platforms
- Strong understanding of agentic AI concepts (agents, orchestration, tool use)
- Experience applying AI within enterprise environments (security, compliance, governance)
- Ability to translate AI strategy into production-ready architectures at scale
- Strong systems thinking across human + AI + system interactions
Responsibilities
- Lead architecture across complex multi-system ecosystems (HCM, Payroll, WFM, ERP, IAM)
- Drive delivery of production-grade integrations, automation, and AI-enabled workflows
- Oversee multiple FDE engagements, ensuring quality, scalability, and consistency
- Act as executive technical advisor to CIO/CTO-level stakeholders
- Step in hands-on for critical design or delivery challenges
- Drive reusable accelerators, templates, and reference architectures across engagements
- Mentor senior FDEs and influence engineering best practices
- Ensure alignment with platform governance and engineering standards
- Define and scale agentic AI patterns across enterprise deployments
- Advise customers on AI transformation, including orchestration, automation, and decision systems
- Design AI-enabled architectures integrating enterprise systems and workflows
- Ensure AI solutions meet enterprise requirements for security, compliance, and auditability
- Drive reusable AI patterns and contribute to platform and product roadmap
- Translate real-world AI use cases into scalable, repeatable capabilities
- Partner with Sales on strategic pursuits and deal acceleration
- Align with Product and Engineering on roadmap and platform evolution
- Collaborate with Customer Success on adoption and expansion strategy
- Influence GTM strategy through technical insight and customer feedback
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
5,001-10,000 employees
