The Impact of a Principal Agentic Architect at Coupa:
As the Principal Agentic Architect, internally known as the Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) is the technical engine of Coupa’s AI Transformation. Sitting at the intersection of Generative AI Engineering and Enterprise Systems Integration, you are responsible for the end-to-end technical orchestration of AI agents. You translate high-level “intents” defined by the Business Consultant into functional, interconnected AI solutions that drive measurable business outcomes. As a “forward deployed” resource, you act as the critical technical link between customer requirements and Coupa Product Management.
What You'll Do:
AI Engineering & Agentic Orchestration
Own the build, configuration, and rapid prototyping of AI agents within Coupa Agent Studio, extending platform capabilities beyond standard out-of-the-box functionality
Specialize in prompt engineering, model tuning, and AI guardrails to ensure accuracy, reliability, and reduction of hallucinations within production AI workflows
Leverage multiple AI platforms, frameworks, and orchestration tools including Claude, OpenAI, MCP, and LangChain to design best-of-breed agentic workflows
Design and deploy extensibility frameworks including Embedded UI Assistant integrations and Model Context Protocol (MCP) capabilities for secure enterprise orchestration
Develop agent-to-agent communication logic and workflow orchestration across complex multi-step business processes
Integration & Technical Leadership
Leverage deep API and integration expertise to support secure, low-latency connectivity between AI agents and enterprise systems including ERP, CLM, and CRM platforms
Partner directly with customer IT and security teams to address technical feasibility, risk assessments, governance, and enterprise security requirements
Understand and manage AI consumption strategies, platform resource utilization, and Coupa credit usage across agentic workflows
The Field-to-Product Bridge
Act as the primary technical liaison between customer engagements and Product Management, identifying roadmap gaps and influencing future platform capabilities
Ensure technical delivery remains aligned to original architectural vision and “as-designed” specifications throughout implementation lifecycle
Support technical pre-sales initiatives by developing reusable Agent Blueprints and rapid deployment PoCs while serving as a technical feasibility expert
Performance Tuning & Quality Assurance
Design authorization boundaries, simulation runs, and human-in-the-loop controls that govern autonomous AI decision-making and escalation paths
Develop evaluation frameworks and automated testing approaches focused on functional correctness and production-grade AI performance
Own ongoing monitoring, testing, health checks, and remediation of AI agents and workflow orchestration environments
Apply continuous improvement methodologies and human-in-the-loop best practices across AI-enabled technical solutions
What You Will Bring to Coupa:
Must-Have Technical Expertise
Proven experience in technical integration roles including Middleware, API Engineering, or Systems Architecture with strong knowledge of REST, GraphQL, and JSON
Strong programming proficiency in Python and/or JavaScript (Node.js)
Experience building integrations and orchestration layers between non-deterministic AI systems and deterministic enterprise platforms
Understanding of Source-to-Pay (S2P) business requirements with the ability to map agentic workflows across procurement, invoicing, and payables processes
Hands-on experience with agentic frameworks and open-standard orchestration architectures including MCP, LangChain, AutoGen, or similar technologies
Desired “Super Powers”
Strong builder mindset with the ability to rapidly move from concept to functional, deployable AI components
Advanced troubleshooting and debugging skills across complex AI systems, APIs, prompts, integrations, latency, and data quality issues
Ability to establish technical credibility and trust with executive stakeholders while acting as a strategic advisor on AI transformation initiatives
Experience supporting enterprise digital transformation and strategic consulting engagements within large-scale environments
Strong technical agility with the ability to quickly redesign and optimize agent logic within fast-paced implementation environments
Ability to clearly explain technical behaviors, limitations, and AI outcomes to non-technical stakeholders while building customer confidence
Deep understanding of Coupa APIs, Compose, configurations, and platform architecture with the ability to diagnose whether issues stem from AI logic, product limitations, data quality, or configuration setup
Proactive approach to customer education and expectation-setting throughout implementation and deployment processes
What the Team is Saying
Coupa Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Health, dental, vision, and mental‑wellness resources for employees and dependents begin on the first day of employment. Recent updates to health‑insurance programs this year indicate active management of core coverage.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Flexible Time Off, floating holidays, paid parental leave, and dedicated volunteer time off are emphasized as part of standard offerings. A global minimum vacation allowance outside the U.S. is also advertised.
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Retirement Support — Competitive compensation is paired with retirement savings programs, including a U.S. 401(k) with company match. An Employee Stock Purchase Plan is also referenced as part of long‑term financial support.
Coupa Insights
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What We Do
Coupa is a global technology company that helps businesses run smarter by connecting all the ways they spend money — from procurement and expenses to payments and supply chain decisions — in one intelligent platform. In simple terms, Coupa gives organizations the visibility and control they need to make better financial choices, reduce waste, and drive real impact. It’s where technology meets purpose: helping companies manage their resources more responsibly while creating a positive ripple across their people, partners, and the planet.
Why Work With Us
At Coupa, we prioritize an inclusive and empathetic workplace where every voice is valued. Our teams are proactive and accountable, ensuring we collaborate effectively to achieve our goals. The foundation of our culture rests on our people; we believe in fostering an environment that encourages innovation and curiosity.
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Coupa Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
Our virtual-first approach is intentional. It gives you the freedom to do your best work in a space that supports focus, balance, and creativity, while staying connected to a global team of changemakers who are redefining the future of business spend
