AI Forward-Deployed Engineering Lead

M&T Bank; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 140,000 - 233,000; Full time

Job summary

M&T Bank in Buffalo, NY seeks a Head of Forward Deployed Engineering (AI) to lead a team delivering AI-powered solutions in partnership with business units. You will set engagement models, supervise multiple AI initiatives, ensure alignment with platform standards, and drive reusable, governed capabilities across the enterprise.

This role requires deep leadership, strong communications with executives, and a track record of delivering scalable AI systems in regulated environments.

Qualifications

• 11+ years of higher education and/or work experience with 4+ years in engineering/architecture.
• 5+ years of leadership experience including people management.
• Experience delivering AI/ML/software solutions with business stakeholders.
• Hands-on with production AI applications (LLMs, RAG, agents, APIs).
• Ability to manage multiple initiatives with competing timelines.
• Strong architectural, coding, and design review capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead Forward Deployed Engineers across concurrent engagements with business units.
• Define solution architectures and ensure successful AI delivery.
• Partner with leaders to analyze requirements and propose AI-driven solutions.
• Maintain partnerships with business, tech teams, and executives.
• Ensure alignment with enterprise AI standards, governance, and security.
• Drive reuse of centralized AI services and platform components.
• Set engagement standards from intake to post-launch support.
• Oversee quality, testing, security, and production readiness.
• Monitor trends and advise on tools and technologies.
• Manage budgets, staffing, and vendor relationships.

Skills

People leadership

AI solution architecture

LLMs & Generative AI

Stakeholder management

Technical delivery

Resource planning

CI/CD & QA

Enterprise architecture

AI governance

Strategic planning

Business translation

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering/Data Science/IT

Job description

M&T Bank in Buffalo, NY seeks a Head of Forward Deployed Engineering (AI) to lead a team delivering AI-powered solutions in partnership with business units. You will set engagement models, supervise multiple AI initiatives, ensure alignment with platform standards, and drive reusable, governed capabilities across the enterprise.

This role requires deep leadership, strong communications with executives, and a track record of delivering scalable AI systems in regulated environments.