Forward Deployed Engineer - AI

Harnham; New York (NY); Remote; USD 250,000 - 275,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Co-investment opportunity

Loan programme for co-investment

Remote work with travel

Job summary

Harnham is seeking a Forward Deployed AI Engineer to drive hands‑on AI deployments across portfolio companies. You will work directly with leadership to identify where AI creates EBITDA gains, select and deploy tools, and integrate them with ERP/CRM environments.

Ideal candidates have a STEM degree, 3+ years in production AI/ML work, and experience evaluating platforms with evidence-based proofs of concept. Travel ~40% and remote work are offered.

Qualifications

• A STEM degree is required; a Master’s is preferred.
• 3+ years implementing, integrating or building AI/ML systems through to production.
• Experience deploying third‑party AI tools across multiple clients or business units.

Responsibilities

• Deploy, select, integrate and scale AI tools across portfolio companies.
• Evaluate third‑party AI platforms based on evidence and run proofs of concept.
• Integrate tools with ERP, CRM and data systems via APIs, webhooks and MCP.
• Build lightweight automations or custom agentic workflows where off‑the‑shelf tools fall short.
• Measure impact against baselines and turn deployments into playbooks for rollout.
• Train portfolio company teams to operate and sustain what you deploy.

Skills

AI/ML systems deployment

Third-party AI tools deployment

Executive communication

Data systems integration

Education

STEM degree (CS/Math/Statistics/DS/Engineering)

Master's degree preferred

Tools

APIs

Webhooks

MCP

Job description

Forward Deployed AI Engineer | Remote, US (around 40% travel) | $250k to $275k cash + co-invest

A leading global private equity firm is expanding the small AI team that puts AI to work across its portfolio. This is a hands‑on engineering role for someone who would rather deploy the right tool in 30 days than spend six months building the wrong one.

The Company

A global private equity firm focused on the middle market, with a portfolio of over 150 companies. A small central AI team within Portfolio Operations deploys AI into portfolio companies and reports directly to the firm’s Operating Partner for AI.

The Role

• Work directly with portfolio company leadership to find where AI can move EBITDA, then select, deploy and integrate the right tools.
• Evaluate third‑party AI platforms on evidence rather than demos, and run structured proofs of concept before rollout.
• Integrate tools with ERP, CRM and data systems via APIs, webhooks and MCP.
• Build lightweight automations or custom agentic workflows where off‑the‑shelf tools fall short.
• Measure impact against baselines and turn proven deployments into playbooks rolled out across the portfolio.
• Train portfolio company teams to run what you deploy.

What We're Looking For

• A STEM degree (Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science or Engineering). A Master's is preferred.
• 3+ years implementing, integrating or building AI/ML systems through to production and adoption.
• Experience deploying third‑party AI tools across multiple clients or business units, ideally from a forward deployed, solutions or consulting background.
• Confidence leading conversations with senior executives and translating technical outcomes into financial impact.

What's On Offer

• $250k to $275k total cash (base plus bonus).
• Access to co‑invest in the firm’s funds at preferred rates, with a loan programme to support it.
• Work you see through: you stay with each deployment until it is delivered at scale and measured in dollars.
• Variety across industries, and the latitude to choose the right tool for each problem.
• Remote working, with around 40% travel to portfolio company sites.