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Engagement Principal, Chanakya

Sarvam AIDelhiSales/GTM
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Salary
Not listed
Job type
Full-time
Posted
17 Apr 2026
Status
Open · checked 7d ago

About this role

Sarvam AI is seeking a senior Engagement Principal to join its team in Delhi for a full-time position within the Sales and GTM department. This senior client-facing role focuses on driving pipeline development, account strategy, and long-term engagement management tailored for defence and strategic sector clients in India.

Role Overview

The Engagement Principal position is a builder role dedicated to the Chanakya vertical at Sarvam AI. Professionals in this role will navigate the complex defence procurement landscape, engage directly with command and technical leadership, and translate advanced artificial intelligence capabilities into funded, deployable programmes. Candidates should bring substantial professional experience and a strong grasp of structured environments to help expand the footprint of sovereign AI solutions across key public and strategic institutions.

Key Responsibilities

Drive the go-to-market strategy and pipeline for the designated vertical, managing the entire lifecycle from initial prospecting through programme initiation.
Cultivate and maintain deep relationships with key decision-makers across acquisition directorates, CTO offices, field and headquarters command, and public sector undertaking leadership.
Convert technical artificial intelligence capabilities into persuasive proposals and narratives suitable for both technical experts and command-level stakeholders.
Direct responses to requests for information and proposals, handle proof of concept scoping, and oversee commercial negotiations with full technical fluency.
Partner closely with strategic deployment engineers and product teams to align client expectations with actual delivery capabilities.
Oversee ongoing account health, shape renewal strategies, and foster expansion pipelines for active client accounts.
Identify and report emerging requirements, regulatory policy shifts, and competitor movements to influence the internal roadmap.

Requirements

Bring between 7 to 12 years of total professional experience, featuring at least 4 years focused on strategic sector go-to-market strategy, defence procurement consulting, or technical enterprise sales.
Demonstrate a proven history of closing and managing high-value engagements within disciplined, complex environments such as defence, critical infrastructure, or advanced enterprise sectors.
Possess a functional understanding of Indian defence procurement frameworks including DRDO guidelines, defence procurement procedures, emergency procurement channels, and Make-I or Make-II initiatives.
Exhibit strong executive presence with the ability to lead discussions comfortably in flag-level meetings and senior CTO offices as well as with working-level technical teams.
Maintain enough familiarity with generative artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities to hold credible conversations regarding the limitations and strengths of the technology stack.

Nice to Have

An active and established network within the Indian defence ecosystem, encompassing the Army, Navy, Indian Air Force, DRDO, procurement offices, public sector undertakings, and staff colleges.
Experience building pipelines in trust-intensive domains and accelerating deal velocity.
Demonstrated ability to preserve client relationships through challenging technical delivery phases.
Background in managing complex, ambiguous mandates at a consulting firm with complete accountability for results.

Skills and Tools

Strategic sector Go-To-Market (GTM) execution
Defence procurement frameworks (DRDO, DPP, Make-I/II)
Enterprise sales and commercial negotiation
RFI/RFP response management and PoC scoping
Account strategy and relationship management
Generative AI and ML capability fluency

About the Company

Sarvam AI is constructing the bedrock of sovereign AI for India through a full-stack platform spanning research, models, infrastructure, and applications. The company partners with leading enterprises, prominent brands, and public institutions to make artificial intelligence genuinely work for the nation. Backed by major investors like Lightspeed, Peak XV, and Khosla Ventures, Sarvam AI operates with a high-talent density team focused on population-scale impact.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should visit the official Sarvam AI careers page on the company website to submit an application for this Delhi-based role.

Questions candidates ask

What is the primary focus of the Engagement Principal role at Sarvam AI?

The Engagement Principal owns pipeline development, account strategy, and long-term engagement management specifically targeting defence and strategic sector clients within the Chanakya vertical.

Where is this position located?

This role is based in Delhi, India, and is a full-time, non-remote position.

What level of experience is required for this role?

Candidates must have 7 to 12 years of total experience, including a minimum of 4 years in strategic sector GTM, defence procurement consulting, or technical enterprise sales.

Is an existing network in the defence sector mandatory?

An active network in the Indian defence ecosystem is considered an advantage and falls under the nice-to-have qualifications.

How should I apply for this job?

Candidates should apply directly on the official Sarvam AI careers website.

Ready to apply?

The application is on the official Sarvam AI careers page.

Apply on company site