Director – Forward Deployed Engineering

Jobtailor; California (MO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Lenovo is seeking a senior leader to head a team of Forward Deployed Engineers embedded across business functions. You will partner with domain leaders to map workflows, surface high-value AI opportunities, and translate problems into deliverable use cases.

You will guide the design and deployment of AI solutions using Copilot Studio, Azure OpenAI, Microsoft 365, and Power Platform, while coaching rapid prototyping and iterative delivery in short sprints.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in software engineering, solutions engineering, or related leadership.
• Experience managing technical teams and delivering AI or automation projects.
• Hands-on capability to review designs and troubleshoot complex issues.
• Proven track record deploying AI/workflow solutions in business settings.
• Preferred: Copilot Studio, Azure OpenAI, Microsoft 365, Power Platform.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Forward Deployed Engineers embedded in business functions.
• Partner with Domain Leaders to surface high-value AI opportunities.
• Translate business problems into scoped use cases with deliverables.
• Guide AI solution design using Microsoft AI, RAG, and automation tooling.
• Coach rapid prototyping, user testing, and iterative delivery in sprints.
• Define operating models, playbooks, and delivery standards.
• Ensure user adoption and track post-deployment feedback.
• Shape engagement models, assets, and business-impact metrics.
• Bridge stakeholders, data teams, and platform partners.
• Provide executive updates on progress, risks, adoption, and tradeoffs.
• Scale FDE practice for Lenovo Solutions & Services Group AI transformation.

Skills

AI Solution Development

Team Leadership

Microsoft AI Platforms

Technical Consulting

User Adoption Strategies

Tools

Copilot Studio

Azure OpenAI

Microsoft 365

Power Platform

Automation Tooling

Job description

• Lead a team of Forward Deployed Engineers embedded in business functions
• Partner with Domain Leaders and subject matter experts to map workflows, identify pain points, and surface high-value AI opportunities
• Set standards for translating business problems into scoped, deliverable use cases
• Guide the design and development of AI solutions using Microsoft AI and productivity platforms, RAG pipelines, agent workflows, automation tooling, and custom development
• Coach the team to prototype quickly, test with real users, and iterate in short sprint cycles
• Define reusable FDE methods, playbooks, delivery standards, and quality expectations
• Hold the team accountable for user adoption and technical delivery
• Review post-deployment feedback and improve the FDE operating model
• Shape engagement models, role expectations, reusable assets, and business-impact measurement mechanisms
• Bridge business stakeholders, FDEs, data teams, and platform partners
• Provide executive-level updates on progress, risks, adoption outcomes, and tradeoffs
• Build a scalable FDE practice for Lenovo Solutions & Services Group’s company-wide AI transformation program

Requirements

• 15 or more years of experience in software engineering, solutions engineering, applied AI, or a closely related technical leadership role
• Experience managing technical teams
• Strong technical depth and willingness to be hands-on when needed
• Experience reviewing designs, troubleshooting complex issues, validating prototypes, and making sound engineering decisions
• Experience leading teams that build and deploy AI, automation, or intelligent workflow solutions in real business settings
• Preferred experience with Copilot Studio, Azure OpenAI, Microsoft 365, and Power Platform
• Ability to explain technical decisions in plain language and coach FDEs through complex delivery situations
• Ability to define operating models, delivery playbooks, technical standards, and talent development practices
• Strong engineering judgment and hands-on depth to review solution approaches and guide teams
• Background in technical consulting, solutions architecture, customer-facing engineering, or field engineering leadership
• Experience with change enablement, user adoption, or process redesign alongside technical delivery

Core Competencies

Demonstrates extensive experience in leading technical teams and delivering AI solutions, with a strong focus on user adoption and operational excellence. Proficient in defining delivery standards, playbooks, and engaging with business stakeholders to drive impactful AI transformations.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• AI Solution Development
• Team Leadership
• Microsoft AI Platforms
• Technical Consulting
• User Adoption Strategies

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Software Engineering
• Solutions Engineering
• Applied AI
• Prototyping
• Troubleshooting
• Engineering Judgment
• Change Enablement
• Process Redesign

Soft Skills

• Coaching
• Communication
• Stakeholder Engagement

Industry Keywords

• Forward Deployed Engineers
• Intelligent Workflow Solutions
• Delivery Standards
• Business Impact Measurement

Tools & Technologies

• Copilot Studio
• Azure OpenAI
• Microsoft 365
• Power Platform
• Automation Tooling