Job Summary
The Senior Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) will operate at the intersection of business transformation, artificial intelligence, and enterprise technology, working directly with business stakeholders to understand functional requirements and rapidly develop AI-powered prototype solutions. This role requires a combination of functional business expertise, executive-level communication, and hands-on software development skills. The FDE will lead engagements from problem definition through architecture, development, and deployment, delivering proofs of concept within 90 days or less and transitioning validated solutions to engineering teams for enterprise-scale development. The position is remote and requires individuals who thrive in ambiguity, operate with an ownership mindset, and focus on measurable business outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
• Partner directly with business leaders, operational stakeholders, and executives to identify opportunities for AI-driven transformation.
• Translate complex business and operational problems into actionable technical requirements and solution concepts.
• Act as a trusted advisor to executive stakeholders and functional leaders.
• Work directly with business users to understand functional requirements and develop rapid AI prototypes.
• Architect and deliver AI-first solutions, including LLM-powered applications, AI agents, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) solutions.
• Build proofs of concept, prototypes, and production-ready applications through highly iterative development cycles.
• Deliver and validate proofs of concept within 90 days or less before transitioning successful solutions to engineering teams for scaling.
• Design and integrate APIs, enterprise systems, data sources, and third-party platforms.
• Collaborate with engineering and platform teams to transition validated solutions for enterprise development and scaling.
• Communicate technical concepts, solution progress, risks, and business outcomes effectively to both executive and technical audiences.
Required Qualifications
• 12+ years of combined business, industry, and technology experience.
• Functional expertise in at least one of the following domains: Legal, Nutrition, Manufacturing, or Service Management.
• Experience working directly within business operations rather than solely as a technology provider.
• Demonstrated experience defining transformation initiatives and driving measurable business outcomes.
• Executive-facing experience with senior business stakeholders and functional leaders.
• Hands-on experience developing and building AI-powered prototypes.
• Hands-on experience with AI models such as OpenAI, Claude, or Gemini.
• Experience designing RAG architectures and AI agents using frameworks such as LangChain, CrewAI, or AutoGen.
• Strong proficiency in Python.
• Proficiency in at least one major cloud platform, with Azure preferred.
• Knowledge of SQL, NoSQL, data modeling, and ETL/ELT pipeline design.
• Familiarity with enterprise platforms such as SAP or Salesforce.
• Strong ability to communicate effectively between technical and executive audiences.
• Ability to work effectively with ambiguity and incomplete information.
Preferred Qualifications
• Startup experience or a startup mindset, with comfort operating in resource-constrained and fast-moving environments.
• Experience rapidly developing and validating AI proofs of concept directly with business users.
• Experience transitioning successful prototypes into enterprise engineering or platform teams.
• Experience with Azure cloud services and cloud-native AI development.
• Experience building AI agents, RAG solutions, or other AI-powered enterprise applications.
• Strong curiosity and self-directed learning orientation.
• Relentless problem-solving approach with the ability to investigate and resolve complex challenges.
• Strong ownership mentality with a high bar for quality and business outcomes.
