Lead Forward Deployed Engineer

Weekday Inc; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity participation

Hybrid work model

Health, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Learning and development budget

Remote flexibility

Job summary

Weekday Inc. is seeking an experienced Lead Forward Deployed Engineer to lead the design and delivery of enterprise-grade AI and data solutions for complex industrial environments in the Boston area.

The role blends data engineering, AI-driven automation, software development, and enterprise customer engagement. You will work with senior leadership to build mission-critical AI systems that improve manufacturing operations and supply chain visibility.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in building production-grade data and AI systems for enterprise environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex enterprise deployments from scoping to production rollout.
• Build and deploy AI and data systems using Java/Python/SQL and cloud tech.
• Design scalable data stacks and data pipelines; create AI-powered workflows.
• Integrate ERP, MES, PLM and other industrial platforms.
• Collaborate with customers and senior stakeholders to define technical solutions.
• Translate business requirements into actionable technical plans.
• Drive end-to-end delivery of automation and data engineering initiatives.
• Ensure scalable, reliable solutions aligned to customer objectives.
• Establish best practices, reusable frameworks, and deployment methodologies.
• Help formalize and scale the Forward Deployed Engineering function.
• Mentor engineers and lead high-performing teams.

Skills

Python

SQL

Snowflake

dbt

Airflow

AWS

Data pipelines

Enterprise AI

Customer-facing

Stakeholder mgmt

Tools

ERP

MES

PLM

Job description

Boston, United States

We are looking for an experienced Lead Forward Deployed Engineer to lead the design and delivery of enterprise-grade AI and data solutions for complex industrial and manufacturing environments.

This role sits at the intersection of data engineering, AI-driven automation, software development, and enterprise customer engagement. You will work closely with senior leadership and enterprise customers to build mission-critical AI systems that improve manufacturing operations, strengthen supply chain visibility, and drive measurable business outcomes.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with business acumen, customer-facing experience, and the ability to translate complex operational challenges into scalable technology solutions. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for someone who enjoys hands-on engineering while building and scaling high-performing teams and delivery practices.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

• Lead complex enterprise deployments from initial scoping and solution design through implementation and production rollout.
  
• Build, develop, and deploy production-grade AI and data systems using Java, Python, SQL, and cloud technologies.
  
• Design and implement modern data stacks, scalable data pipelines, and AI-powered agents to improve operational efficiency.
  
• Integrate enterprise systems such as ERP, MES, PLM, and other industrial technology platforms.
  
• Work directly with enterprise customers and senior stakeholders to understand operational challenges and define effective technical solutions.
  
• Translate ambiguous business and operational requirements into structured technical plans and execution strategies.
  
• Drive end-to-end delivery of AI-driven automation and data engineering initiatives.
  
• Ensure solutions are scalable, reliable, and aligned with customer requirements and business objectives.
  
• Establish engineering best practices, reusable frameworks, and standardized deployment methodologies.
  
• Help formalize and scale the Forward Deployed Engineering function.
  
• Collaborate with leadership, product, engineering, and customer teams to deliver measurable operational outcomes.
  
• Mentor engineers, provide technical direction, and contribute to building high-performing teams.
  

Required Skills and Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in Data Engineering, Software Engineering, Machine Learning, or Forward Deployed Engineering roles.
  
• Prior experience in customer-facing technical or enterprise solution delivery roles is preferred.
  
• Hands-on proficiency in Python and SQL.
  
• Experience with modern data engineering tools and platforms such as Snowflake, dbt, Airflow, and AWS.
  
• Strong understanding of cloud-based architecture, scalable data pipelines, and production-grade data systems.
  
• Experience working with complex enterprise data environments, preferably involving ERP, supply chain, production, and manufacturing systems.
  
• Ability to design and deliver AI-powered solutions and automation workflows for real-world business challenges.
  
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage confidently with enterprise customers and senior executives.
  
• Excellent business acumen and the ability to connect technical solutions with measurable business outcomes.
  
• Proven experience leading initiatives, scaling technical functions, and managing high-performing teams.
  
• Ability to work autonomously and adapt quickly in fast-paced, evolving environments.
  

Preferred Skills

• Strong solution-framing capabilities, with the ability to take customer requirements or operational challenges and convert them into clear execution plans.
  
• Experience working with AI tools and AI-assisted workflows for coding, research, analysis, writing, and productivity.
  
• Curiosity about emerging AI technologies and the ability to adopt new tools and approaches to improve engineering efficiency.
  
• Strong systems-thinking capabilities and an ownership-driven approach to problem-solving and execution.
  
• Experience in manufacturing, aerospace, industrial operations, or supply chain technology environments.
  

What Makes This Opportunity Interesting

• Opportunity to work on complex AI and data engineering challenges across advanced manufacturing and industrial operations.
  
• Direct engagement with senior enterprise stakeholders and leadership teams.
  
• Exposure to large-scale enterprise deployments across global markets.
  
• Opportunity to build and scale a Forward Deployed Engineering function.
  
• Meaningful equity participation and competitive, market-aligned compensation.
  
• Flexible hybrid working model with a focus on outcomes and ownership.
  
• Health, dental, and vision coverage.
  
• Learning and development budget to support continuous professional growth.
  
• Opportunity to work with leading aerospace and manufacturing organizations.
  
• Access to a collaborative, fast-moving team environment.
  
• Modern Miami office, remote flexibility, and 401(k) with company match.