Founding Forward Deployed Engineer for AI Data Platform

Protege; United States; On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Protege is hiring a founding Forward Deployed Engineer to build a new vertical from the ground up. You will define market needs, architect reusable infrastructure, and establish patterns for future engagements.

You will own early customer engagements end-to-end and work closely with the GM to shape the vertical's technical strategy and product direction. You should thrive in ambiguity, move quickly, and make calls on what becomes core platform capability versus vertical-specific tooling.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of engineering experience in founding or early-stage roles.
• Strong backend engineering instincts with Python and SQL experience.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and turn customer needs into durable technical systems.
• Experience leading technical scoping, delivery, and post-launch support.

Responsibilities

• Build the vertical's technical foundation and reusable patterns on top of the platform.
• Lead first customer engagements end-to-end from scoping to delivery and post-launch support.
• Shape product direction by surfacing reusable infra and core platform capabilities.
• Collaborate with Product and Engineering to drive platform patterns across verticals.
• Serve as the technical voice of the vertical and align with GM on strategy.

Skills

Python

SQL

Backend engineering

Ambiguity management

Engineering leadership

Communication

Customer engagement

Job description

Protege is hiring a founding Forward Deployed Engineer to build a new vertical from the ground up. You will define market needs, architect reusable infrastructure, and establish patterns for future engagements.

You will own early customer engagements end-to-end and work closely with the GM to shape the vertical's technical strategy and product direction. You should thrive in ambiguity, move quickly, and make calls on what becomes core platform capability versus vertical-specific tooling.