Principal Forward Deployed Engineer
Why UKG:
At UKG, the work you do matters. The code you ship, the decisions you make, and the care you show a customer all add up to real impact. Today, tens of millions of workers start and end their days with our workforce operating platform. Helping people get paid, grow in their careers, and shape the future of their industries. That's what we do.
We never stop learning. We never stop challenging the norm. We push for better, and we celebrate the wins along the way. Here, you'll get flexibility that's real, benefits you can count on, and a team that succeeds together. Because at UKG, your work matters-and so do you.
Role Overview
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.
Key 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
Agentic AI Leadership:
• 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
Cross-Functional Leadership:
• 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
Qualifications:
• 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
AI / Systems Expertise:
• 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)
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• Ability to translate AI strategy into production-ready architectures at scale
• Strong systems thinking across human + AI + system interactions
Success Metrics:
• Reduction in Time-to-Value across multiple enterprise accounts
• Expansion ARR influenced across portfolio of engagements
• Reusable assets and AI patterns adopted broadly
• Delivery quality and scalability across concurrent engagements
• Executive-level customer satisfaction
• Influence on product roadmap and platform capabilities
Company Overview:
UKG is the Workforce Operating Platform that puts workforce understanding to work. With the world's largest collection of workforce insights, and people-first AI, our ability to reveal unseen ways to build trust, amplify productivity, and empower talent, is unmatched. It's this expertise that equips our customers with the intelligence to solve any challenge in any industry - because great organizations know their workforce is their competitive edge. Learn more at ukg.com.
Equal Opportunity Employer
UKG is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, disability, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.
View The EEO Know Your Rights poster
UKG participates in E-Verify. View the E-Verify posters here.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Disability Accommodation in the Application and Interview Process
For individuals with disabilities that need additional assistance at any point in the application and interview process, please email UKGCareers@ukg.com.
The pay range for this position is $184,300 to $264,950. The actual base pay offered may vary depending on skills, experience, job-related knowledge and work location. In addition to base pay, employees may be eligible to participate in a performance-based bonus plan and to receive restricted stock unit awards as part of total compensation. Learn more about UKG's benefits and rewards at https://www.ukg.com/about-us/careers/benefits
Perks and Benefits
Health and Wellness
- Health Insurance
- Health Reimbursement Account
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Disability
- FSA
- FSA With Employer Contribution
- HSA
- HSA With Employer Contribution
- Fitness Subsidies
- On-Site Gym
- Virtual Fitness Classes
Parental Benefits
- Birth Parent or Maternity Leave
- Non-Birth Parent or Paternity Leave
- Adoption Assistance Program
- Family Support Resources
- Adoption Leave
Work Flexibility
- Flexible Work Hours
- Remote Work Opportunities
- Hybrid Work Opportunities
Office Life and Perks
- Casual Dress
- Happy Hours
- Company Outings
- Holiday Events
Vacation and Time Off
- Paid Vacation
- Unlimited Paid Time Off
- Paid Holidays
- Personal/Sick Days
- Volunteer Time Off
Financial and Retirement
- 401(K) With Company Matching
- Company Equity
- Performance Bonus
- Profit Sharing
Professional Development
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Mentor Program
- Shadowing Opportunities
- Access to Online Courses
- Internship Program
Diversity and Inclusion