Forward Deployed AI Operating Principal

Most operating teams advise from a distance. This role is different. Inspired by the forward deployed engineer model — where builders embed directly in the customer’s environment to deliver production outcomes in days, not quarters — this Operating Principal will sit side-by-side with portfolio company operators, hands on keyboard, bridging AI/automation platforms to their specific use cases. You will own the full cycle: discover the problem → architect the solution → build the workflow → prove ROI. Think startup energy meets PE operating discipline. If you’ve spent your career translating complex platforms into customer-specific value at speed, this is the role.

You will operate as a hands-on solution architect and embedded execution leader across Sumeru’s B2B enterprise technology portfolio — part “forward deployed engineer”, part transformation principal. Your work product isn’t a slide deck; it’s running automation in production.

• Led 2–3+ end-to-end enterprise-scale transformations where you redesigned processes, technology, and org structure — not just tools implementations
• Can point to quantitative impact: reduction in volume/handle time/cycle time, gross margin or EBITDA improvement, or measurable customer satisfaction gains
• Demonstrated fast cycle time — you’re known for delivering working solutions in weeks, not quarters

■ AI & Automation Fluency (Practitioner, Not Theorist)

Hands-on experience using workflow automation and agentic tools (Claude Code/Cowork, xClaw, n8n, UiPath, ServiceNow, Zapier, or similar) to orchestrate cross-system flows — you’ve configured these yourself, not just evaluated vendor demos

• Deployed LLM-powered solutions in production: support bots, knowledge base search/summarization, implementation or sales copilots, document understanding (contracts, invoices, tickets)
• Working understanding of RAG architectures, prompt engineering, data/logging/telemetry requirements for AI systems, and the practical limits of current models

■ Platform-to-Use-Case Translation

You have a solution consultant’s instinct for quickly understanding a customer’s environment, mapping their pain points to platform capabilities, and configuring or building the bridge between the two. You thrive in the ambiguity between “here’s a powerful tool” and “here’s exactly how it solves your specific problem.”

■ Functional Breadth

Significant leadership or delivery experience in at least two of: CX/Support, RevOps, FP&A, DevOps/SRE, Professional Services/Implementation, Field Service, or Back-Office Operations. Comfortable collaborating with and influencing leaders across all of these.

■ Executive Influence + Frontline Credibility

Proven ability to operate at Board and C-suite level while also gaining the trust of frontline operators and technical teams by demonstrating you can do the work, not just talk about it. Experience leading orgs of several hundred people and managing meaningful budgets, plus strong change management capability.

■ Financial & Strategic Acumen

Can build robust business cases, interpret P&L and unit economics, and translate automation outcomes into valuation impact. Familiar with SaaS metrics (ARR, NRR, CAC, LTV, gross margin, support cost per ticket, implementation margin).

■ Education

BS in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field (or equivalent hands-on experience that speaks for itself). MBA or advanced degree a plus but not required