Forward Deployed Engineer

talentpluto; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

talentpluto is seeking a Forward Deployed Engineer in New York, NY. You will work post-sale on client AI implementations across diverse tech stacks, pairing with an AI strategist to manage relationships while you focus on build and delivery.

This high-agency role offers meaningful autonomy from day one and potential for expanded scope toward senior engineering titles and management as the team scales.

Qualifications

• 3-8 years of software engineering experience.
• Strong full-stack engineer capable of shipping production software.
• Experience designing, developing, and maintaining web applications and agentic applications.
• Track record of leading technical initiatives and working independently.
• Client-facing experience preferred and valued.
• Background as founder/CTO/founding engineer of a startup is highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Build, implement, and present AI solutions on clients' existing tech stacks in a post-sale, client-facing capacity.
• Partner closely with an AI strategist who manages the client relationship, while you own the technical build and delivery.
• Ship production software across the full stack in a collaborative team environment.
• Lead technical initiatives with a high degree of autonomy.
• Travel to client sites roughly 1-2 times per month as required.

Skills

Full-stack development

Client-facing

AI/ML software

Independent ownership

Education

CS/Engineering degree

Job description

Work Model: In-person (occasional client travel ~1-2x/month)

Compensation: $180K base, $220K-$500K+ OTE

Location: New York, NY

Work Model: In-person (occasional client travel ~1-2x/month)

Industry: AI transformation & implementation consulting

Compensation: $180K base, $220K-$500K+ OTE

About the Company

Our partner is a fast-growing AI transformation and implementation consultancy serving Fortune 500 clients across AI strategy and AI engineering. A preferred implementation partner of a leading AI research lab, they work directly with the C-suites of top companies on high-priority, confidential AI initiatives. Fully bootstrapped and cash-flow profitable since day one, the team is roughly 40 people today and doubling headcount every quarter, with plans to reach 150-200 by year end. The consulting business also funds a growing portfolio of ambitious longer-term bets.

The Opportunity

As a Forward Deployed Engineer, you'll be a post-sale, client-facing software engineer implementing AI solutions directly on each client's tech stack. You'll be paired with an AI strategist who owns relationship management and status updates, freeing you to focus on building, presenting, and shipping real solutions alongside the client.

This is a high-agency, high-upside role at an early and rapidly scaling company. You'll work across a range of tech stacks depending on the client, take on meaningful autonomy from day one, and grow into expanded scope over time, with clear paths toward senior engineering titles and engineering management as the team scales.

Responsibilities

• Build, implement, and present AI solutions on clients' existing tech stacks in a post-sale, client-facing capacity
• Partner closely with an AI strategist who manages the client relationship, while you own the technical build and delivery
• Ship production software across the full stack in a collaborative team environment
• Lead technical initiatives and operate with a high degree of autonomy
• Occasionally support pre-sale scoping when needed (not a standard expectation)
• Travel to client sites roughly 1-2 times per month as required

Requirements

• 3-8 years of software engineering experience
• Strong full-stack engineer comfortable shipping production software in a team
• Demonstrated experience designing, developing, and maintaining web applications and agentic applications
• Track record of leading technical initiatives and operating independently
• Client-facing experience strongly preferred and used as a differentiator among comparable candidates
• Backgrounds as a former founder, CTO, or founding engineer of a startup are highly valued, as is experience running an engineering-led AI consulting effort
• Computer science or engineering education is a plus
• Comfortable with an in-person, fast-paced environment and a willingness to put in effort beyond a standard week