Applied AI Engineer - AI Agent

Applied AI Engineer - AI Agent Lacework Software Engineering, Data Science Sunnyvale, CA, USA USD 179,500-260k / year + Equity Posted on Feb 12, 2026 Apply now We're a cybersecurity company building a next-generation AI-driven operations platform, designed to power complex, high-stakes workflows. The product integrates generative AI deeply into real-time operational environments—combining reasoning, retrieval, and automation into scalable, trustworthy systems. We're looking for an Applied AI Engineer with strong backend and AI experience who can architect, build, and scale secure, performant systems. You'll work closely with product, AI/ML, and design teams to deliver capabilities that drive investigation speed, streamline operations, and unlock new modes of human-AI collaboration.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Development

• Architect and implement scalable AI agent and backend systems for high-volume, real-time operational workloads.
• Integrate LLMs and GenAI components into production workflows, including fine-tuning, prompt orchestration, retrieval pipelines, and evaluation loops.
• Design and implement robust data flows (e.g., event streams, message queues, job orchestration) to support next-gen SOC/NOC capabilities.
• Define clear contracts between AI services, backend APIs, and frontend clients.
• Contribute to trustworthy AI delivery: streaming responses with structured outputs, redaction/guardrails, and human-in-the-loop review. Collaboration
• Partner with backend team to build data pipeline.
• Collaborate with design and frontend engineers to translate complex backend/AI systems into intuitive UIs.
• Lead technical reviews, and help shape coding standards and architectural patterns.
• Communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical stakeholders about trade-offs, performance, and reliability.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience

• Proven track record shipping data-intensive and AI-enhanced applications.

BS:

5+ years in AI systems for high-availability, security-sensitive environments OR

MS:

3+ years in the same OR

PhD:

0+ year in the same Technical Skills Core Backend & Platform

• Proficiency with at least one modern backend runtime/language (e.g., Python, Go) 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 paradigms (e.g., Postgres, graph DBs, time-series stores).
• Experience with authentication/authorization, session management, and enterprise integrations.
• Familiarity with distributed systems, scalability, and observability best practices. AI/ML Integration
• Hands-on experience building or integrating AI systems in production.
• Familiarity with multi-agent, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), prompt engineering, evaluation, and guardrails.
• Exposure to model fine-tuning workflows or orchestration frameworks for multi-tool AI agents. Communication & Soft Skills
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Comfortable operating in fast-moving, ambiguous contexts.
• Experience working with distributed teams.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Opportunity to shape the future of AI-assisted cybersecurity and operations at scale.
• End-to-end ownership of high-impact product surfaces used daily by enterprise customers.
• Collaborative environment with experienced engineers, researchers, and designers.
• Continuous learning in AI/ML, distributed systems, and modern web technologies.
• Terrific benefits and competitive compensation.

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $179,500-$260,000. 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 labor 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 time of hire and annually at the Company's discretion. Fortinet (

NASDAQ:

FTNT) secures the largest enterprise, service provider, and government organizations around the world. Fortinet empowers its customers with intelligent, seamless protection across the expanding attack surface and the power to take on ever-increasing performance requirements of the borderless network - today and into the future. Only the Fortinet Security Fabric architecture can deliver security without compromise to address the most critical security challenges, whether in networked, application, cloud or mobile environments. Fortinet ranks number one in the most security appliances shipped worldwide and more than 500,000 customers trust Fortinet to protect their businesses. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@fortinet.com. Fortinet is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity in our company, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, military/veteran status or any other applicable legally protected characteristics in the location in which the candidate is applying. We're a cybersecurity company building a next-generation AI-driven operations platform, designed to power complex, high-stakes workflows. The product integrates generative AI deeply into real-time operational environments—combining reasoning, retrieval, and automation into scalable, trustworthy systems. Apply now See more open positions at Lacework