Forward Deployed Engineer – AI Systems (Backend Software Engineering Focus)

Ikuto; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Ikuto in San Francisco is seeking a Forward Deployed Engineer to bridge backend software engineering with client-facing solution architecture. You will own zero-to-one deployments, build production-grade Python pipelines, and deploy them into enterprise client systems.

Reporting to the CTO, you will collaborate with enterprise engineering teams to design integrations, ensure system reliability at scale, and feed deployment learnings back into the core platform to improve future deployments.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of software engineering experience with backend focus.
• Hands-on Python production code experience.
• Experience shipping AI applications with LLMs, RAG, tool-calling agents.
• Strong communication skills for client-facing work.
• Understanding of security/compliance in large enterprises.

Responsibilities

• Develop production-grade Python backend systems and agent pipelines.
• Engage enterprise clients to scope and implement integrations.
• Bridge deployment challenges back to core platform for scalability.
• Maintain and optimize reliability and uptime of deployed solutions.

Skills

Backend SWE

Python

LLM/AI apps

Client engagement

System design

Job description

Compensation: $180,000 – $220,000 Base Salary + Equity + Relocation Support

(Backend Software Engineering Focus)

About the Opportunity

We are partnering with a fast-growing, Series A ($15M raised) AI systems company headquartered in San Francisco. Unlike traditional SaaS vendors selling copilots, this company builds and deploys custom, fully managed digital workforces—teams of AI agents designed to execute complex, high-stakes enterprise operations.

They are seeking a high-caliber Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) to bridge heavy backend software engineering with client-facing solution architecture. Reporting directly to the CTO in a flat, high-ownership engineering org, you will own zero-to-one customer deployments—building production-grade Python agentic pipelines and deploying them directly into enterprise client systems.

The Role

• Backend Systems Engineering (~70%): Write clean, production-grade Python code to design, test, and deploy AI agent systems using internal homegrown frameworks and observability platforms.
• Technical Client Engagement (~30%): Partner directly with enterprise engineering teams to scope, design, and execute custom integrations into complex legacy and modern environments.
• Product Engine Bridge: Feed real-world deployment challenges back into the core platform to ensure company-wide scalability.
• System Reliability: Maintain, monitor, and optimize running agent workflows to ensure strict enterprise accuracy and uptime standards.

What We’re Looking For

• 3+ Years of SWE Experience: Solid foundation in backend software engineering, API architecture, and system design.
• Python Mastery: Hands‑on experience writing scalable, production‑ready Python code.
• Application‑Level AI/LLM Experience: Proven track record of shipping production AI applications using LLMs, RAG, tool‑calling agents, and modern framework ecosystems.
• Technical Client Polish: Strong verbal communication skills with previous experience presenting to or collaborating directly with client engineering teams.
• Enterprise Rigor: Understanding of security, compliance (SOC 2), and scalability requirements typical of large enterprise systems.

Nice‑to‑Haves

• Background combining large tech/enterprise software rigor with fast‑paced startup execution.
• Prior experience as a Forward Deployed Engineer, Solutions Engineer, or Customer‑Facing Backend Software Engineer.
• Exposure to financial software, ERP systems, or complex back‑office data pipelines.