Forward Deployed Engineer

Sia Partners; Mumbai; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Sia Partners is seeking a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) to join its AI Factory in Mumbai onsite. You’ll embed with a client’s team to deliver production-ready Python backend services, APIs, and integrations using modern frameworks and cloud platforms.

You’ll translate business needs into technical deliverables, develop RAG/LLM workflows, and ensure security, reliability, and maintainability. The role requires 3–6 years of production Python experience and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Computer Science or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 3–6 years of software development experience with a focus on Python backend development.
• Strong Python skills with FastAPI/Flask/Django and API design.
• Ability to understand unfamiliar codebases and deliver production-quality code.
• Experience with PostgreSQL, a cloud platform (AWS/GCP/Azure), Docker, Git, CI/CD, and testing.
• Practical experience with RAG, LLM applications, or tool-calling workflows and AI safety considerations.
• Comfort in embedded client teams, clear requirement clarification, ownership of deliverables.
• Experience in governed enterprise environments, data access controls, and security reviews.
• Strong communication skills for engineers and non-technical stakeholders.
• Nice-to-have: Kubernetes, vector search tools, GenAI platforms, NoSQL, Spark/Databricks.

Responsibilities

• Work embedded within the client’s team, participating in planning, standups, and delivery activities.
• Translate client needs into scoped technical deliverables with measurable outcomes.
• Design, develop, and deploy production-quality Python backend services and APIs.
• Identify platform gaps and align architectural changes with owners.
• Develop RAG pipelines, tool-calling agents, and LLM workflows with model gateways.
• Deliver use cases alongside platform improvements while balancing timelines, security, and reliability.
• Apply code reviews, automated testing, CI/CD, logging, and monitoring; track performance and cost.
• Communicate trade-offs, progress, blockers, and risks to stakeholders; escalate scope changes.
• Document decisions and provide knowledge transfer for ongoing client maintenance.

Skills

Python backend

Python frameworks

Cloud platforms

Docker

Git CI/CD

RAG & LLM

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in CS/SE

Tools

PostgreSQL

AWS/GCP/Azure

Kubernetes

NoSQL

Databricks

Job description

Sia is a next-generation, global management consulting group. Founded in 1999, we were borndigital. Today our strategy and management capabilities are augmented by data science, enhanced bycreativityand driven by responsibility.We’reoptimists forchangeand we help clientsinitiate,navigateandbenefitfrom transformation. We believe optimism is a force multiplier, helping clients to mitigate downside and maximizeopportunity.

Withexpertiseacross a broad range of sectors and services, our 3,000 consultants serve clients worldwide from 48 locations in 19 countries. Ourexpertisedelivers results. Our optimism transforms outcomes. Our Mumbai office was launched in 2024, marking an exciting new chapter for us. We’re building the team with people who are eager to shape something from the ground up — combining the agility and entrepreneurial energy of a startup with the backing and reach of a global brand.

We are seeking a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) to join Sia’s AI Factory (AIF), embedded directly within a client’s engineering, product, or service team. This role combines hands-on software engineering with client-facing delivery to close platform gaps and deliver production use cases. You will work within the client’s codebase and engineering standards, owning agreed deliverables from understanding requirements through deployment and handover.

Key Responsibilities

Work embedded within the client’s team, participating in planning, standups, and delivery activities alongside client and Sia engineers.

Translate client needs into scoped technical deliverables, clear acceptance criteria, and measurable outcomes.

Design, develop, and deploy production-quality Python backend services, APIs, connectors, and integrations.

Identify and address platform gaps within the agreed scope, aligning architectural changes and dependencies with the relevant owners.

Develop and integrate RAG pipelines, tool-calling agents, and LLM workflows using approved model gateways and data sources, with appropriate evaluation and safeguards.

Deliver use cases alongside platform improvements, balancing delivery timelines with maintainability, security, and reliability.

Apply code reviews, automated testing, CI/CD, logging, and monitoring; track quality, latency, and cost for delivered AI components.

Communicate technical trade-offs, progress, blockers, and risks clearly to client stakeholders, escalating scope changes and dependencies early.

Document technical decisions and operational procedures, and provide knowledge transfer so the client’s team can maintain and operate the solution.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 3–6 years of software development experience, with a strong focus on Python backend development in production.

Strong Python skills and experience with FastAPI, Flask, Django, or a comparable framework, including API design and system integrations.

Ability to understand unfamiliar codebases, troubleshoot issues, and contribute production-quality code.

Experience with SQL databases such as PostgreSQL, a cloud platform such as AWS, GCP, or Azure, and Docker, Git, CI/CD, and automated testing.

Practical experience with RAG, LLM applications, or tool-calling workflows, including an understanding of retrieval, evaluation, and AI safety considerations.

Comfort working within an embedded client team, clarifying ambiguous requirements, and taking ownership of agreed deliverables.

Experience working within governed enterprise environments, including approved libraries and services, data access controls, and security review processes.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical decisions to engineers and non-technical stakeholders.

Good to have: agent orchestration frameworks, vector search tools, enterprise GenAI platforms, Kubernetes, or NoSQL databases.

Good to have: Spark, Databricks, prior consulting or client-facing delivery, or experience in regulated domains such as financial services, healthcare, or the public sector.

Additional information

What We Offer

Opportunity to lead cutting-edge AI projects in a global consulting environment.

Leadership development programs and training sessions at our global centers.

A dynamic and collaborative team environment with diverse projects.

Position based in Mumbai (onsite)

Sia is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, remuneration, or discipline, are based solely on performance, competence, conduct, or business needs.

Sia is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, remuneration, or discipline, are based solely on performance, competence, conduct, or business needs.