Account Executive, API

Perplexity
San Francisco +1 more
On-site

Who this role is best for

Technically fluent SaaS sales professionals with enterprise experience will find this high-impact role in a small but mighty team shaping frontier AI infrastructure.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 3+ years of enterprise SaaS sales and a knack for technical conversations
    — “3+ years of full-cycle SaaS sales experience, ideally with enterprise-level clients
  • Individuals who thrive in small teams and enjoy shaping product direction
    — “small but mighty Enterprise team and own new business for the Perplexity API platform
  • Professionals with a proven ability to engage and convert C-suite executives
    — “Exceptional written and verbal communication; comfortable presenting to C-suite executives

Things to consider

  • This role demands consistent revenue performance in a high-growth setting
    — “Proven record of meeting or exceeding revenue targets in a high-growth environment
  • Strong emphasis on outbound prospecting to large enterprise clients
    — “Proven success outbound prospecting to large enterprise

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience in selling developer tools or API solutions in your resume and interviews
    — “Experience working with APIs or developer platforms
  • Demonstrate your ability to tailor messaging for technical and business decision-makers
    — “Skilled at complex sales cycles, tailoring messaging to different buyer personas and decision makers
  • Showcase your collaboration with cross-functional teams in past roles
    — “Partner closely with Product, DevRel, and Engineering to ensure customer success
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Senior

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • closing deals
  • building senior-level relationships
Typical background
sales experienceenterprise sales

Skills & requirements

Required

ProspectingOutbound SalesCold OutreachSales Pipeline ManagementCRM Tools

Preferred

AI KnowledgeAPI Development

Stack & domain

SalesProduct DemonstrationsRfpsTechnical EvaluationCRMCommunicationNegotiationClient EngagementTeamworkCollaborationAIEnterpriseAPI

About the role

Original posting from Perplexity via Ashby

Perplexity is seeking a self-starting, technically fluent Account Executive to join our small but mighty Enterprise team and own new business for the Perplexity API platform — the frontier AI developer tools (Search, Sonar, and Agent APIs) that power real-time, grounded answer engines.

This is a rare seat. You'll get to sell — and help shape — frontier AI dev tools, with a front-row seat into how the most ambitious AI-native product companies think about frontier AI infrastructure. Your job is to evangelize that platform with large enterprises and turn it into durable revenue. This role is ideal for proactive sales professionals who thrive at the intersection of technology and business, can operate in ambiguity, and want to shape the future of enterprise AI.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Drive new business by prospecting, pitching, and closing Perplexity API platform solutions with large organizations
  • Research prospects, develop account strategies, and execute outreach campaigns tailored to company and industry needs
  • Conduct high-impact product demonstrations and respond to RFPs and technical inquiries
  • Lead client engagement through the entire sales cycle — from initial presentation, technical evaluation, negotiation, to closing and onboarding
  • Build and nurture senior-level relationships across enterprise clients, championing Perplexity's value proposition and customer outcomes
  • Partner closely with Product, DevRel, and Engineering to ensure customer success, solution fit, and a feedback loop into the roadmap
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Perplexity's platform, industry trends, and competitor landscape
  • Meet or exceed individual and team revenue targets on a monthly and quarterly basis
  • Maintain accurate records of pipeline and account activity using CRM tools

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

  • A self-starter who can operate in ambiguity and knock down walls to get deals done
  • Technically fluent — comfortable speaking credibly with developers and technical buyers
  • 3+ years of full-cycle SaaS sales experience, ideally with enterprise-level clients
  • Proven record of meeting or exceeding revenue targets in a high-growth environment
  • Skilled at complex sales cycles, tailoring messaging to different buyer personas and decision makers
  • Proven success outbound prospecting to large enterprise
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication; comfortable presenting to C-suite executives
  • Adept at identifying client pain points and mapping solutions that drive business value
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and technical stakeholders
  • Experience with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce)
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

NICE TO HAVE

  • Experience working with APIs or developer platforms
  • A computer science or technical background
  • Familiarity with the AI / LLM / agent ecosystem

Source: Perplexity careers (Ashby)

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