THE ROLEDespite the "Engineer" title, this isn't a typical back-end coding job. This is a pre-sales and architectural advisory role for someone who is part scientist, part consultant, and part communicator. At the Staff / Principal level, you are expected to be a hybrid heavy hitter - someone who can talk shop with PhD data scientists and then walk into a boardroom and explain the ROI to a CEO.
We aren't looking for your average expert. We're building a team of
T-shaped professionals with:
- Deep Technical Roots - You know PyTorch, Kubernetes, and GPU clusters (NVIDIA/AMD) inside and out, and you know when XGBoost is a better choice than the latest frontier model.
- Broad Business Acumen - You understand verticals, e.g. how a hospital's AI needs differ from a hedge fund's, and can navigate both conversations with credibility.
- Collaborative Autonomy - With a global remit and potential for 30-60% travel, you are in charge of driving results within diverse collaborations.
We're building a small, global Applied AI team to work directly with enterprise customers and partners - helping them turn AI ambitions into production outcomes on Pure's platform. This team brings genuine research and production depth to customer-facing engagements: leading technical advisory sessions, shaping AI strategy for some of the world's largest companies, and contributing to Pure's growing reputation in AI through publications, conferences, and thought leadership.
The team also ensures Pure's account teams can effectively qualify and position AI advisory opportunities across their territories, and provides enablement to our internal field and channel partner communities. The role requires working cross-functionally across Solutions, Marketing, Alliances, Engineering, Enablement, and Sales to align initiatives and go-to-market campaigns - all while maintaining genuine technical depth in enterprise AI.
If this sounds like you, come join one of the most exciting teams at Pure.
WHAT YOU'LL DO:- Lead technical discovery and advisory engagements with customers to identify high-value AI use cases relevant to their industry and data
- Advise on end-to-end AI deployment - model selection, training/fine-tuning strategies, inference optimization, data pipeline design, and evaluation/alignment/safety frameworks - optimized for Pure's platform
- Collaborate cross-functionally to qualify and position AI opportunities, and develop proof-of-value prototypes that translate technical performance into business outcomes
- Create AI enablement content for field teams, partners, and customers - technical walkthroughs, qualification guides, workshops, and vertical-specific use case frameworks
- Present at industry conferences, publish technical content and peer-reviewed research, and represent Pure in engagements with strategic technology partners (NVIDIA, AMD, cloud providers, MSPs)
- Operate autonomously in ambiguous environments - independently scoping high-impact initiatives and driving them to completion at the right pace
WHAT YOU BRING:- Advanced degree in a quantitative field (Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, or related), or equivalent demonstrated through publications and production system experience
- 8+ years building and deploying AI/ML systems in cloud or on-prem environments
- Deep expertise in modern AI/ML - large language models, distributed training, inference optimization, agentic systems, evaluation/alignment frameworks, and classical ML
- Fluency with the modern AI stack (PyTorch, vLLM, Ray, Kubernetes) and data platforms (Spark, Snowflake, Kafka, etc.)
- Able to scope and carry out research projects that support critical business objectives, both independently and collaboratively
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills - equally clear with hands-on data scientists and C-suite decision-makers
WHAT SETS YOU APART:- Experience with large-scale AI infrastructure: GPU clusters, high-performance storage, containerized deployments
- Experience in customer-facing technical advisory or consulting roles with enterprise accounts
- Experience leading independent, multi-year research from concept to publication or large-scale production deployment
- Exposure to multiple industry verticals (financial services, healthcare, telco, manufacturing)
- Publication record, conference presentations, or recognized technical presence
- Background combining applied research with shipping production systems
- Familiarity with CRM/opportunity management systems (Salesforce preferred)
#LI-REMOTE
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Salary ranges are determined based on role, level and location. For positions open to candidates in multiple geographical locations, the base salary range is reflective of the labor market across the applicable locations.
This role may be eligible for incentive pay and/or equity.
There is no application deadline and we accept applications on an ongoing basis until the job is filled.
The annual base salary range is:
$171,500-$257,600 USD
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM US:- Innovation: We celebrate those who think critically, like a challenge, and aspire to be trailblazers.
- Growth: We give you the space and support to grow along with us and to contribute to something meaningful. We have been named Fortune's Best Workplaces in Technology™, Fortune's Best Workplaces in the Bay Area™, and certified as a Great Place to Work®!
- Team: We build each other up and set aside ego for the greater good.
And because we understand the value of bringing your full and best self to work, we offer a variety of perks to manage a healthy balance, including flexible time off, wellness resources, and company-sponsored team events. Check out purebenefits.com for more information.
