Initially, he worked as a consultant in the department of development of household and communal services and licensing.

[3] From 2010 to 2011, Smirnov worked at the non-profit partnership "Association of Construction Organizations of Small and Medium-sized Businesses" as director of the Kursk branch and advisor to the president.

On 4 July 2016, he was appointed first deputy general director of the Fund for the Capital Repair of Multi-Apartment Buildings in Moscow.

[3] On 12 May 2024, by decree of Vladimir Putin, he was appointed acting governor of Kursk Oblast.

[5][6] Smirnov resigned on 5 December amid criticism over his handling of the 2024 Kursk offensive.