Forward Deployed Engineer, AI & Vertical SaaS
Overview
As a founding Forward Deployed Engineer, you own the full lifecycle of applied-AI product deployments across eight vertical SaaS companies. Build AI workflows from zero-to-one, then scale them into reusable platform capabilities. Work directly with the co-founders and Head of AI, with C-level customer access and deployment budgets already secured. This role sets the technical standards for the Forward Deployed Engineering pod, with 3-5 years of experience required.
What You'll Do7
- 1Run discovery with executives and operators, translate business problems into product specs, and build AI workflows from scratch.
- 2Own full deployment lifecycles from zero-to-one implementation through customer adoption, on-site at customer locations.
- 3Build shared data models, ontologies, and workflow infrastructure to connect deployments into reusable vertical products.
- 4Partner with co-founders, Head of AI, and portfolio CTOs to define and execute the applied-AI strategy.
- 5Establish the Forward Deployed Engineering pod, operating model, and technical standards.
- 6Deploy LLM-based features and machine learning systems across multiple portfolio companies.
- 7Drive customer adoption by working directly with decision-makers and technical teams.
Requirements7
- 13-5 years of hands-on software engineering or forward-deployed engineering experience.
- 2Proven track record leading technical deployments from discovery through production and adoption.
- 3Strong full-stack engineering, systems architecture, and data-pipeline fundamentals.
- 4Experience building with LLMs, applied machine learning, or AI workflow systems.
- 5Ability to work directly with C-level customers and translate ambiguous operational needs into shipped products.
- 6Founder-minded ownership, autonomy, and comfort operating without extensive structure.
- 7Willingness to travel frequently to customer sites.
Salary Insight
$200 - $300k per year
Location
Required Skills
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