Forward Deployed Software Engineer

Understanding Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A mission-driven AI company in London is seeking a Forward Deployed Software Engineer to integrate AI into complex environments. You will collaborate with teams and deploy solutions with real-world impact. The ideal candidate has strong software engineering experience, ideally in AI or robotics, and skills in Python, C++, or Java. Competitive compensation includes equity and benefits.

Benefits

Free meals

Private health and dental

Equity and 7% Employer Pension

Qualifications

• Strong software engineering experience, ideally with AI or robotics systems.
• Hands-on experience in Python, C++, or Java.
• Comfortable working directly with customers.

Responsibilities

• Deploy and integrate AI and robotics software.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Write clean, production-grade code.

Skills

Software engineering experience

Python

C++

Java

Collaboration

Problem-solving mindset

Tools

React

TypeScript

Job description

Forward Deployed Software Engineer – AI & Robotics

Location: London (On-site)

Compensation: Up to £120k + Equity + 7% Employer Pension

Benefits: Free meals, private health and dental, high-growth AI startup

I’m working with a mission-driven AI company building the software foundation for the next generation of autonomous systems and robotics. They are looking for a Forward Deployed Software Engineer to work directly with customers, deploying and integrating advanced AI into complex, real-world environments, from defence applications to autonomous operations.

This is a highly hands‑on role with high ownership, technical challenges, and a clear line of sight from your code to real-world impact.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deploy and integrate cutting‑edge AI and robotics software in live customer environments
• Collaborate with AI researchers, roboticists, and systems engineers to build robust, scalable solutions
• Write clean, production‑grade code in Python, C++, or Java, and develop tools using React and TypeScript
• Gather user feedback to inform product development and deployment strategy
• Travel occasionally to customer sites across the UK and internationally

What They’re Looking For:

• Strong software engineering experience, ideally with AI or robotics systems
• Hands‑on experience in Python, C++, or Java, and familiarity with front‑end tooling is a plus
• Comfortable working directly with customers and understanding operational requirements
• Problem‑solving mindset with an ability to deliver robust, production‑ready solutions
• Collaborative approach and ability to work closely with multidisciplinary teams

Why Join:

• Work at a high‑growth AI startup deploying real‑world autonomous systems
• Join an engineering‑led team with deep expertise from companies like Palantir, Microsoft, and defence tech
• Enjoy autonomy, ownership, and the chance to see your software power real‑world intelligent systems
• Competitive compensation with equity and benefits, plus opportunities for international exposure

If you’re a hands‑on engineer passionate about AI and robotics and want to see your work deployed in real‑world systems, this is a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact at the frontier of autonomy.