Sr Forward Deployed Engineer (Palantir Foundry & Custom Development)

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.; Dallas (TX); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. seeks a seasoned technical contributor to own solutions end‑to‑end across Foundry-based and custom software, serving as the go‑to technical resource for junior engineers.

You’ll manage multiple projects, move quickly in a dynamic environment, and drive reusable patterns across the DPS portfolio. The role emphasizes leading technically without formal authority, collaborating with project managers, data scientists, and client stakeholders, and delivering outcomes that

Qualifications

• 6+ years of relevant experience as a senior IC/tech lead.
• Hands-on experience with Palantir Foundry and AIP (Ontology, pipelines, applications, OSDK).
• Experience incorporating AI/LLMs into production solutions, not just tooling.

Responsibilities

• Own Solutions End-to-End across Foundry-based and custom software with minimal direction.
• Lead technically on projects, unblocking junior engineers and setting direction.
• Support multiple projects with effective prioritization and context switching.
• Move fast in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment while maintaining quality.
• Originate portfolio patterns, build reusable frameworks, strengthen the DPS portfolio.
• Debug and support deployed solutions, incorporate client feedback, maintain existing apps.
• Deliver on program outcomes by protecting schedule, cost, and client confidence.
• Lead client conversations on scope and trade-offs, negotiate in real time.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with project managers, developers, data scientists and SMEs.

Skills

6+ years exp

Palantir Foundry

AIP

AI/LLMs in production

Ambiguity handling

Lead technically

Education

Relevant college degree

Tools

REST APIs

Databricks

Snowflake

PostgreSQL

Cosmos DB

MongoDB

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

This role doesn't carry formal people leadership responsibility, but it does carry real technical accountability: for the quality of a feature area, for the junior FDEs you're informally mentoring on a project. The digital solution you're building isn't the end goal — it's a value-add meant to move the needle on the client's broader program: pulling in or protecting the schedule, lowering cost, or increasing certainty for the program as a whole, not just for the technical work itself.

Compensation: This role is open to Mid and Senior levels, so final pay will be based on experience level

What You'll Do

• Own Solutions End-to-End — Take a rough problem statement and drive it to a working solution — including key design decisions — across Foundry-based and custom software, with minimal direction.
• Lead Technically on Your Projects — Serve as the go-to technical resource for junior FDEs on your engagement — unblocking them, reviewing their work, and setting direction when priorities shift.
• Support Multiple Projects— Carry an active workload across more than one project simultaneously, prioritizing effectively and context-switching between codebases, clients, and problem domains without dropping quality.
• Move Fast, Stay Flexible — Operate comfortably in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment where priorities and client needs can shift mid-sprint — adapting without losing focus or output quality.
• Originate Portfolio Patterns— Build with reuse in mind and create new patterns, frameworks, and standards — not just follow them — so your work strengthens the broader DPS portfolio.
• Debug & Support— Troubleshoot complex issues in deployed solutions, respond to client and internal feedback, and support existing applications alongside new build work.
• Deliver on the Program Outcome — Keep the client's broader program schedule, cost, and certainty in view on every build — accountable not just for shipping what was asked, but for whether your solution actually pulled in or protected the program's schedule, lowered its cost, or raised confidence in it.
• Lead Client Conversations— Engage directly with client stakeholders on technical scope, feasibility, and trade-offs — comfortable pushing back or negotiating in real time.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally — Work alongside project managers, other developers, data scientists, and subject matter experts — both Jacobs-internal and client-facing — as a visible technical leader on every team you touch.

Here’s what you'll need

• 6+ years of relevant experience — seasoned individual contributors who prefer building over managing but are ready to lead technically.
• Hands-on experience with Palantir Foundry and AIP— Ontology, pipelines, applications, OSDK, etc.
• Experience incorporating AI/LLMs into production solutions — not just using AI tools to write code faster but building AI/LLM-enabled features into what you ship.
• Proven ability to operate with ambiguity — comfortable taking a loosely defined problem and driving it to a solution with minimal direction.
• Comfort informally leading other engineers — reviewing work, unblocking teammates, and setting technical direction without formal authority.

Strongly preferred:

• Strong experience with REST APIs and both relational and cloud-native data platforms (e.g., Databricks, Snowflake, PostgreSQL, Cosmos DB, MongoDB).
• Solid working knowledge of Agile delivery, Git, and CI/CD practices.
• Prior experience in a professional services, consulting, or client-facing environment.
• Education/Certifications — A relevant college degree and/or industry certifications (e.g., Palantir Foundry certifications, cloud platform certifications) are a plus; equivalent hands-on experience is valued just as highly.

Location

• Hybrid in the United States, with occasional travel for project and client meetings, primarily in North America.

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full‑time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $120,000.00 to $160,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on September 22, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.