Forward Deployed Engineer, APJ

About Exa

Exa is building a next-generation search engine designed for the AI era, backed by a $250 million Series C funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz and other prominent investors, valuing the company at $2.2 billion. Our Search API supports renowned Agents, Fortune 500 companies, and AI research labs, redefining an industry long untouched since the 1990s. Our diverse, San Francisco-based team of around 100 includes talent from top universities and major tech companies, united by a mission to revolutionize search with a high-agency, collaborative culture.

Role Overview

The Forward Deployed Engineer acts as the technical spearhead within Exa, collaborating closely with Account Executives to drive technology wins. This position is responsible for engaging with customer engineering teams to assess needs, crafting tailored solutions using Exa's API, and building compelling demos and proofs of concept that demonstrate measurable value. As one of the inaugural GTM engineers in the APJ region, this role is pivotal in shaping how Exa expands its presence rather than simply following existing sales protocols.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the technical aspects of the sales journey including needs discovery, solution architecture, demonstrations, and technical objection management alongside the Account Executive.
• Identify opportunities within existing accounts to extend product use cases and facilitate additional evaluations and expansions.
• Develop customized demos and prototypes on the Exa API tailored to specific use cases such as agents, research, search, and enrichment.
• Effectively communicate Exa’s product capabilities through compelling narratives suited to CTOs, engineers, and product managers.
• Serve as a trusted technical consultant, possessing in-depth knowledge of Exa’s product, API, and problem-solving approaches while managing rigorous evaluations and escalating issues when necessary.
• Provide actionable feedback from customer engagements to guide product enhancements and engineering efforts.
• Create reusable technical assets like demos, integration templates, and operational playbooks; represent Exa at industry events and workshops.
• Support early customer onboarding and initial deployments as a founding regional team member, contributing to the growth of post-sales support.

Candidate Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years in client-facing technical roles such as solutions or sales engineering, solutions architecture, or customer-focused engineering leadership.
• Proficiency with APIs and contemporary development languages such as Python or TypeScript, capable of independently designing integrations, constructing demos, and live debugging; use of AI-aided development tools is anticipated.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, able to engage diverse audiences confidently and respond candidly when information is unavailable.
• Adaptability to ambiguous conditions and fast-paced, early-stage environments, managing multiple evaluations and shifting priorities effectively.
• Working knowledge of modern AI technologies, including large language models (LLMs), retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and agents, with ability to define proof-of-concept parameters and success metrics.
• Residency within the APJ region with readiness to travel for client engagements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience overseeing technical evaluations at API-first or developer platform companies, successfully delivering POCs leading to customer adoption.
• Background in engineering leadership with ambition to shift toward customer-centric roles or sales engineers seeking more hands-on engagement.
• Personal projects or genuine enthusiasm in AI and LLM development.
• Motivation to be an early hire, pioneering initial deals and frameworks in a new regional market.
• Experience managing comprehensive enterprise evaluations including security questionnaires and RFPs.
• Additional regional language skills advantageous for APJ markets.

Additional Information

This position mandates onsite presence in Singapore. International candidates are welcome, and visa sponsorship is provided. Exa offers comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage, fertility support, and a monthly wellness stipend for all employees.

Exa is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected category by law.

Compensation Range: $150,000 to $250,000 annually