Account Executive, API
Job description
About the role
Ownership of new business for the Perplexity API platform defines this position within the Enterprise team. Large enterprises encounter Search, Sonar, and Agent APIs through your evangelization and revenue generation. The role sits at the boundary of technology and commercial strategy for a focused team.
Sales roles connect a company's product with the customers who need it. Representatives research accounts, run demos, handle objections, and close deals. The work is quota driven and moves quickly. Strong sellers combine listening skills with product knowledge and steady follow through. Sales roles reward consistent activity and honest qualification of deals. Most companies use a defined sales process, and reps are trained on it before being left on their own.
Key facts
What you'll do
Research and insight inform tailored outreach campaigns that target large organizations for the Perplexity API platform.
Product, DevRel, and Engineering receive structured feedback through customer success insights that shape the product roadmap.
Enterprise sales cycles advance as presentations, technical evaluations, negotiations, and onboarding move toward adoption of the API platform.
Pipeline records and account activity stay current in CRM tools so revenue performance remains measurable and predictable.
Client relationships across enterprise accounts mature to surface customer outcomes and reinforce Perplexity's value proposition.
Individual and team revenue targets are met or exceeded across monthly and quarterly periods to sustain growth.
Requirements
Self-starters operate in ambiguity and remove obstacles to close deals in enterprise environments.
Communication with developers and technical buyers is credible, matching technical fluency to complex sales cycles.
Three or more years of full-cycle SaaS sales experience with enterprise-level clients in high-growth environments is expected.
A record of meeting or exceeding revenue targets across monthly and quarterly periods is demonstrated.
Messaging is tailored to different buyer personas and decision makers across long and complex sales cycles.
Outbound prospecting to large enterprises converts interest into pipeline.
Information is presented to C-suite executives with clear, concise, and actionable communication.
Client pain points are identified and mapped to solutions that drive measurable business value for the Perplexity API platform.
Collaboration with cross-functional teams and technical stakeholders aligns on solution fit.
CRM systems such as Salesforce maintain accurate records of pipeline and account activity.
Nice to have
Experience working with APIs or developer platforms shortens the sales cycle and deepens technical alignment.
A computer science or technical background helps you speak the same language as engineering and product teams.
Familiarity with the AI, LLM, and agent ecosystem enables discussion of real-time, grounded answer engines with credibility.
Practical notes
This role is based in San Francisco and requires US work authorization.
Typical interview steps
Sales hiring often includes a role play, a discovery call simulation, and a presentation. Candidates may be asked to pitch a product to a panel or handle a tough objection. Behavioral questions focus on past quota attainment and deal history. Energy and preparation matter. Interviewers often simulate the job in the interview itself, so be ready to run a short discovery call or demo. Practicing your own sales pitch out loud helps.
Career growth
Sales careers can move from SDR or associate to account executive, senior AE, manager, and director roles. Some sellers move into partnerships, account management, or revenue operations. Compensation typically mixes a base with commission tied to results. High performers in sales typically move into larger accounts, team leadership, or sales operations. Quota history and references carry the most weight in promotion.
About the company
Perplexity is seeking an experienced Staff Full Stack Engineer to help the way people search and interact online. In this role, you'll translate AI advances into products that are both useful and engaging. Our tech stack includes Python, Go, Rust, TypeScript, React FastAPI, PostgreSQL, Redis, Docker, vLLM, and AWS.