Jr. Forward Deployed Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Turn what you learned in school into AI that people at Cytek use every day. AI Ignite is Cytek's companywide initiative to put practical, responsible AI to work across the business, and the AI Ignite Recent Graduate Program is a core part of the team that makes it happen.

You will work side by side with Business Systems engineers and business leaders to build AI assistants, automated workflows, and data tools that save real time for real teams. We hire for curiosity, initiative, and the drive to learn fast. You will have a dedicated mentor, projects with visible impact, and exposure to leaders across a global life sciences company.

This is a launchpad role for recent graduates. By the end of the program, you will have shipped work you can proudly show in your portfolio, built a professional network, and be positioned to be considered for future full-time opportunities at Cytek.

**This is a 6 months to 1 year program preferably for candidates local to the San Francisco, Bay Area.**

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform essential duties and responsibilities satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Build AI solutions. Design, build, and test AI enabled workflows and automations, such as purchase requests, approvals, and document processing, using low code tools and large language model APIs.
• Prototype AI assistants. Create chat assistants and agents that answer questions from company documents, using prompt engineering and retrieval techniques.
• Work with data. Use Python, SQL, and spreadsheets to clean, analyze, and visualize business data, and build simple dashboards that help teams make decisions.
• Partner with the business. Meet with teams in Finance, Supply Chain, HR, Sales, and R&D to understand their daily work, identify where AI can help, and measure the time saved.
• Evaluate AI tools. Test new AI tools and models for quality, security, and cost, and share clear recommendations with the team.
• Teach and share. Write easy to follow guides, run short demos and lunch and learns, and help colleagues build confidence using AI.
• Practice responsible AI. Follow Cytek data privacy, security, and quality standards in every project you touch.
• Present your impact. Showcase your final project and results to Cytek leadership at the end of the program.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS: 

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. 

Required

• Bachelor's degree completed, or graduating within the next six months, in Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field.
• Foundational programming skills in Python or JavaScript, shown through coursework, projects, or personal work.
• Genuine curiosity about AI, including experience using tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, or Copilot beyond basic questions.
• Clear written and verbal communication, and comfort explaining technical ideas to non-technical colleagues.
• A self starter who asks good questions, learns quickly, and follows through.
• Authorized to work in the United States.

Nice to have, but not required

• Experience with SQL, REST APIs, or cloud platforms.
• Exposure to low code or automation tools such as n8n or Power Automate.
• A GitHub profile, class project, hackathon entry, or personal AI project we can look at.
• Prior internship, research, or campus leadership experience.
• Interest in life sciences, biotechnology, or ERP systems such as NetSuite.

WHAT YOU WILL GAIN FROM AI IGNITE:

• A real mentor. One on one guidance from experienced Business Systems professionals.
• Real projects. Work that goes into use at Cytek, not practice exercises.
• Visibility. Regular exposure to leaders and teams across the company.
• Modern AI skills. Practical experience with the tools and methods employers are hiring for right now.
• A portfolio and a network. Shipped projects, strong references, and relationships that last beyond the graduate program.
• A path forward. Strong performers will be considered for future full-time opportunities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

• Work is primarily performed in an office environment using a computer, with the ability to sit or stand at a workstation for extended periods.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person and by video, phone, and email.
• Occasional visits to other Cytek areas may require following standard safety guidelines.

Cytek is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.