Staff AI Application Engineer Lead

Fortinet is a fast-growing and dynamic cybersecurity company with a growing and hard-working IT business application team. We are looking for a Senior AI Engineering Lead to join our growing team. In this role, you will help design, build, and maintain intelligent AI agents that automate workflows, interact with users, and integrate with internal and external systems.

Job Responsibilities:

• Architect, design and implement scalable AI agent and backend systems for high-volume, real-time operational workloads, and build resilient user experiences.
• Design and implement robust data flows (e.g., event streams, message queues, job orchestration) to support next-gen SOC/NOC capabilities.
• Integrate LLMs and GenAI components into production workflows, including fine-tuning, prompt orchestration, retrieval pipelines, and evaluation loops.
• Integrate AI agents with databases, APIs, and third-party services
• Develop, debug, test and troubleshooting the AI agent application and backend systems.
• Collaborate with business users and other developers to define the functional/non-functional system requirements, design workflows and decision logic
• Collaborate with other departments for the system security, compliance and reliability.
• Continuously maintaining, monitoring and improving the systems.

Required Qualifications:

• BS: 5+ years in backend or full-stack systems for high-availability, security-sensitive environments OR
  MS: 3+ years in the same OR
  PhD: 0+ year in the same
• Proven track record shipping data-intensive and AI-enhanced applications at scale.
• Experience owning features from system architecture through production delivery.
• Experience of project collaboration with multiple teams.
• Experience with LLM service, prompt engineering and evaluation techniques.
• Proficiency with Python and associated frameworks.
• Strong background in designing APIs (REST/WebSocket/GraphQL) and integrating with real-time/event-driven systems.
• Deep understanding of databases and storage.
• Experience with authentication/authorization, session management, and enterprise integrations.
• Familiarity with distributed systems, scalability, and observability best practices.
• Good communication skills.

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $183,000-$224,000. Fortinet offers employees a variety of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, 401(k), 11 paid holidays, vacation time, and sick time, as well as a comprehensive leave program.

Wage ranges are based on various factors, including the labour market, job type, and job level. Exact salary offers will be determined by factors such as the candidate's subject knowledge, skill level, qualifications, experience, and geographic location.

All roles are eligible to participate in the Fortinet equity program. Bonus eligibility is reviewed at the time of hire and annually at the Company's discretion.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

Why Join Us:

We encourage candidates from all backgrounds and identities to apply. We offer a supportive work environment and a competitive Total Rewards package to support you with your overall health and financial well-being.

Embark on a challenging, enjoyable, and rewarding career journey with Fortinet. Join us in bringing solutions that make a meaningful and lasting impact to our 890,000+ customers around the globe.