Forward-Deployed Engineering Manager, AI Pods

Workday, Inc.; Pleasanton (CA); Hybrid; USD 210,000 - 314,000; Full time

Job summary

Workday, Inc. is seeking a Forward Deployed (FDE) Manager to lead one or more FDE pods. You’ll report into the SVP and ensure the health of the FDE operating model, matching engineers to engagements and driving product hardening work rather than one‑off delivery.

You’ll coach engineers and collaborate with Product Management, Engineering leadership, Services leads, AI Architects, and Account teams. You will guide staffing, engagement lifecycles, and ensure resource readiness while turning field

Qualifications

• 8+ years in Forward Deployed Engineering, Solutions Engineering, Technical Consulting, Software Development, or Product/Program Management within complex enterprise environments, including direct, hands‑on work with enterprise customers.
• 5+ years of experience managing, leading, or coaching technical teams (direct people management or demonstrated technical/team leadership).
• Technical depth sufficient to review and guide hands‑on engineering work: solid understanding of coding and debugging (e.g., Python, Java, or similar), REST APIs, system architecture, and integration patterns.
• Proven experience managing multiple concurrent, complex software deployments or customer engagements in parallel, including live data troubleshooting and custom workflow integration.

Responsibilities

• Hire, coach, and develop a high performing group of FDEs.
• Own pod staffing and allocation across 2–4 pods (~10 customer projects per pod).
• Run the engagement lifecycle and track progress toward graduation scorecard with metrics in partnership with PAO.
• Partner with Workday Services, AI Deployment Architects, Account Teams, and Product Managers for proper resourcing.
• Ensure the product feedback loop operates at pod level and feeds the backlog for product improvements.
• Build and share playbooks and know‑how guides across pods and hand off to scaling teams.

Skills

Forward Deployed Engineering

Team leadership

Mentoring engineers

Python/Java

REST APIs

Stakeholder comms

Tools

REST APIs

System architecture

Integration patterns

Job description

Workday, Inc. is seeking a Forward Deployed (FDE) Manager to lead one or more FDE pods. You’ll report into the SVP and ensure the health of the FDE operating model, matching engineers to engagements and driving product hardening work rather than one‑off delivery.

You’ll coach engineers and collaborate with Product Management, Engineering leadership, Services leads, AI Architects, and Account teams. You will guide staffing, engagement lifecycles, and ensure resource readiness while turning field