Forward-Deployed AI Pod Lead

origami.build; United States; Remote; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Job summary

origami.build is seeking a senior technical leader to guide a forward-deployed engineering pod delivering an AI system for a client. You will own the engagement roadmap, drive execution, and manage the technical relationship while remaining hands-on in architecture and implementation.

You will lead discovery with client stakeholders, shape the problem, measure success, and align the team around a prioritized plan.

Qualifications

• 5+ years building and shipping production software.
• Hands-on AI work in production settings.
• Ability to lead engineers while remaining technically engaged in architecture and implementation.
• Experience communicating with clients and translating operational needs into a practical delivery plan.
• A track record of delivering work and learning quickly in changing conditions.

Responsibilities

• Lead discovery with client stakeholders to understand workflows, data, constraints, and operational needs.
• Define the problem, success measures, and adoption goals, then turn them into a prioritized roadmap.
• Agree with the client what to build, defer, or exclude, and adjust the plan as real-world use provides feedback.
• Organize the pod's delivery, clarify ownership, maintain momentum, and remove blockers.
• Set expectations for code quality, testing, and completion; review important designs and code.
• Prototype uncertain parts of the solution and step in when delivery is at risk.

Skills

Leadership

Client communication

AI in production

Software architecture

Roadmap definition

Job description

Role overview

Lead a forward-deployed engineering pod delivering an AI system for a client, owning the engagement's roadmap, execution, and technical relationship. This is a hands-on technical leadership role: you guide discovery and delivery, work directly with client stakeholders, and contribute through prototypes and design reviews while the pod builds the system.

Responsibilities

• Lead discovery with client stakeholders to understand workflows, data, constraints, and operational needs.
• Define the problem, success measures, and adoption goals, then turn them into a prioritized roadmap.
• Agree with the client what to build, defer, or exclude, and adjust the plan as real-world use provides feedback.
• Organize the pod's delivery, clarify ownership, maintain momentum, and remove blockers.
• Set expectations for code quality, testing, and completion; review important designs and code.
• Prototype uncertain parts of the solution and step in when delivery is at risk.

Requirements

• At least 5 years building and shipping production software.
• Hands-on experience with AI work in production settings.
• Ability to lead engineers while remaining technically engaged in architecture and implementation.
• Experience communicating with clients and translating operational needs into a practical delivery plan.
• A track record of delivering work and learning quickly in changing conditions.

Benefits and work setup

• Remote role for candidates based in Cape Town, Johannesburg, or Metro Manila.
• Leads one engineering pod on a client engagement and reports to an AI solutions architect.