AI Sales Engineer

Fortinet, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 220,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Fortinet, Inc. is seeking an AI Sales Engineer to drive pre-sales activities for AI Security solutions. The role focuses on GTM strategy, enabling regional Sales Engineers, and guiding technical discovery, architecture reviews, and POCs to accelerate customer adoption of Fortinet AI security offerings.

The position requires deep AI/ML understanding, hands-on container experience, and the ability to travel up to 50% to foster customer relationships and close opportunities across the region.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field.
• 5+ years in technical sales with AI focus.
• Experience with AI/ML evals, cloud engines, and security.
• Hands-on with Docker and Kubernetes.

Responsibilities

• Shape and execute GTM strategy for AI Security solutions.
• Enable and train regional Sales Engineers.
• Support technical discovery, architecture deep dives and POCs.
• Assist customers with deploying AI Security in self-hosted environments.
• Maintain demo environments and training materials.
• Engage partners to close AI Security opportunities.
• Lead customer-facing engagements and technical training.
• Facilitate post-sales handovers for deployments.

Skills

Technical sales

AI/ML concepts

Presentation skills

Customer engagement

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree (Electrical Eng / CS / Data Science / Information Systems)

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

At Fortinet, we are at the forefront of securing the evolving Artificial Intelligence (AI) landscape with our FortiAIGate AI security platform.

We are seeking a passionate and experienced AI Sales Engineer to support the technical execution for our rapidly growing AI security solutions. This critical pre-sales role will be instrumental in accelerating the adoption of our solutions that help customers secure the creation and usage of AI applications, including homegrown AI and popular agentic AI tools.

Your Responsibilities

• Partner with the AI Sales Specialist to shape and execute the GTM strategy for AI Security solutions across the region, focusing on expanding existing customer accounts and driving greenfield acquisition.
• Enable and train regional Sales Engineers by ensuring proficiency in the latest product capabilities, product roadmap, and live demonstration delivery.
• Provide comprehensive support for technical discovery, architecture deep dives, and proof of concepts (POCs), driving successful outcomes throughout the sales cycle.
• Assist customers with the seamless deployment of AI Security solutions within their self-hosted environments.
• Maintain and manage demo environments, while overseeing demo certifications, training materials, and performance benchmarking.
• Engage channel and reseller partners to equip them with the technical expertise and resources necessary to close AI Security opportunities, ensuring they are positioned to lead with Fortinet for AI security.
• Collaborate closely with internal sales engineers and partners to identify, qualify, and close AI Security business.
• Lead customer-fac ing engagements, including technical architecture reviews, integration evaluations, product demonstrations, and technical training.
• Facilitate post-sales technical handovers to ensure successful deployments and drive long-term customer success.
• Cultivate trusted relationships with key decision-makers, including CTOs, CISOs, and enterprise AI leaders.
• Serve as an AI evangelist to educate customers on agentic AI best practices, secure AI deployment, and position Virtue AI as the market leader in AI security solutions.

Qualifications

Your Experience

• Bachelors degree in electrical engineering, computer science, data science, information systems, or related technical field of study
• 5+ years of technical sales experience, including at least 2 years specializing in AI and related technologies.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with technical evaluators, including cloud or AI security engineers, data scientists, and AI/ML architects.
• Understanding of core AI technologies, including machine learning, deep learning, and generative AI.
• Hands- on experience with Docker and containerized workloads, Kubernetes (EKS, GKE, or equivalent).
• Deep understanding of core AI security concepts (e.g., access controls, identity management, network integration, endpoint detection and response, red-teaming, guardrails)
• Familiarity with popular agentic AI tools, AI infrastructure, and their associated security implications is preferred.
• Exemplary written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Experience deploying production applications on cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP)
• Ability to travel up to 50% to develop customer relationships and advance opportunities

Fortinet offers employees a variety of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, 401(k), 11paid 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. On target earnings for this position is expected to be $220,000 - $260,000 per year. 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, and this position is also eligible for commissions based on the terms of the Sales Compensation Plan