Your work days are brighter here.
We’re obsessed with making hard work pay off, for our people, our customers, and the world around us. As a Fortune 500 company and a leading AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, we’re shaping the future of work so teams can reach their potential and focus on what matters most. The minute you join, you’ll feel it. Not just in the products we build, but in how we show up for each other. Our culture is rooted in integrity, empathy, and shared enthusiasm. We’re in this together, tackling big challenges with bold ideas and genuine care. We look for curious minds and courageous collaborators who bring sun-drenched optimism and drive. Whether you're building smarter solutions, supporting customers, or creating a space where everyone belongs, you’ll do meaningful work with Workmates who’ve got your back. In return, we’ll give you the trust to take risks, the tools to grow, the skills to develop and the support of a company invested in you for the long haul. So, if you want to inspire a brighter work day for everyone, including yourself, you’ve found a match in Workday, and we hope to be a match for you too.
About the Team
The Forward Deployed (FD) team is an elite, multi-disciplinary unit designed to bridge the gap between "the possible" and "the practical." We don’t just slide-ware our vision; we build it. As part of the North America Solution Consulting organization, we sit at the high-velocity intersection of AI Strategy, Product Engineering, and the agentic ecosystem. Our mission is to accelerate the adoption of Workday’s AI Human Capital and Financial management solutions by co-innovating with our most strategic partners and customers.
About the Role
As a Forward Deployed Enterprise Architect, you are the technical bridge between our platform and our Global System Integrators (SIs). Your job is to make "agentic AI" real for the enterprise. You will empower partners to drive joint consumption by architecting bespoke Proof of Concepts (POCs) and leading "Agent Test Drives" that showcase our unique data model, security framework, and governance with Agent System of Record. You are a master translator: capable of distilling complex LLM orchestration into clear business outcomes for CXOs, while maintaining the technical credibility to challenge and convince Security Architects.
Key Responsibilities
- Architectural Co-Innovation: Partner with SIs to design customer-specific AI roadmaps that quantify the business value of Workday AI, moving beyond buzzwords to measurable outcomes. Collaborating with the Workday Partner Managers will be critical.
- Rapid Agentic Prototyping: Lead the hands-on build of bespoke "Forward Deployed" POCs. You will showcase agentic workflows that solve "unsolvable" business problems in a "try-before-you-buy" format.
- Consumption Strategy: Support Workday’s shift to innovation-based consumption models. You will analyze technical usage patterns and help customers forecast their long-term AI and platform needs.
- Technical Diplomacy: Navigate complex global security, compliance, and data privacy requirements. You are the trusted advisor who ensures Workday AI fits seamlessly into a customer’s broader IT ecosystem.
- The Feedback Loop: Act as a critical sensor for Product & Technology teams, funneling real-world SI and customer challenges back into the development roadmap to ensure our AI remains "built for business."
- Ecosystem Integration: Design seamless data flows and integration strategies (including MCP and A2A) within complex, multi-cloud enterprise landscapes.
- Measurable Impact: Responsible for demonstrating impact and measurable value within your industry or domain expertise.
About You
Basic Qualifications:
Sr FDE Enterprise Architect:
- 5+ years of extensive human resource, financials or IT domain expertise
- 5+ years of experience in technology solution design, enterprise software implementations, or digital transformation
- 4+ years' experience presenting to technical, business, and executive audiences both in-person and virtual
Principal, FDE Enterprise Architect:
- 7+ years of experience in technology solution design, enterprise software implementations, or digital transformation
- 7+ years' experience presenting to technical, business, and executive audiences both in-person and virtually
- 5+ years of Workday experience
Other Qualifications:
- AI Evangelist: You have a visceral curiosity for Agents, LLMs, RAG, and MCP. You don't just use AI; you understand how to architect it for the enterprise.
- The "Forward Deployed" Mindset: You are comfortable with ambiguity and thrive when "building the plane while flying it."
- Consultative Rigor: Expert-level skills in creating architectural diagrams, technology roadmaps, and data-backed business cases.
- Partner-Centric: You understand the SI business model and how to empower partners to be successful with Workday technology.
- Travel: Ability to travel up to 40% to engage with SIs and customers on-site.
Workday Pay Transparency Statement
The annualized base salary ranges for the primary location and any additional locations are listed below. Workday pay ranges vary based on work location. As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Workday Bonus Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus, as well as annual refresh stock grants. Recruiters can share more detail during the hiring process. Each candidate’s compensation offer will be based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, geography, experience, skills, job duties, and business need, among other things. For more information regarding Workday’s comprehensive benefits, please click here.
Primary Location: USA.CA.Pleasanton
Primary Location Base Pay Range: $138,600 USD - $208,000 USD
Additional US Location(s) Base Pay Range: $138,600 USD - $208,000 USD
Additional Considerations:
If performed in Colorado, the pay range for this job is $138,600 USD - $208,000 USD based on min and max pay range for that role if performed in CO.
The application deadline for this role is the same as the posting end date stated as below:
07/31/2026
Our Approach to Flexible Work
With Flex Work, we’re combining the best of both worlds: in-person time and remote. Our approach enables our teams to deepen connections, maintain a strong community, and do their best work. We know that flexibility can take shape in many ways, so rather than a number of required days in-office each week, we simply spend at least half (50%) of our time each quarter in the office or in the field with our customers, prospects, and partners (depending on role). This means you'll have the freedom to create a flexible schedule that caters to your business, team, and personal needs, while being intentional to make the most of time spent together. Those in our remote "home office" roles also have the opportunity to come together in our offices for important moments that matter.
Pursuant to applicable Fair Chance law, Workday will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Workday is an Equal Opportunity Employer including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.
At Workday, we are committed to providing an accessible and inclusive hiring experience where all candidates can fully demonstrate their skills. If you require assistance or an accommodation at any point, please email accommodations@workday.com.
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