Sr Forward Deployed Engineer (Palantir Foundry & Custom Development)

Jacobs; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Mid-Senior Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE II) to lead ambiguous client problems into working solutions across Foundry and custom development. You’ll mentor junior FDEs, manage multiple projects, and influence technical direction while maintaining program outcomes.

You’ll collaborate with PMs, data scientists, and SMEs, engaging directly with client stakeholders on scope and feasibility in a fast-paced, hybrid US environment.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of relevant experience.
• Hands-on experience with Palantir Foundry and AIP — Ontology, pipelines, applications, OSDK.
• Strong software development with React and Python across Foundry and custom dev.
• Experience incorporating AI/LLMs into production solutions.
• Ability to operate with ambiguity.
• Comfort leading other engineers informally.

Responsibilities

• Own Solutions End-to-End — drive rough problem to working solution across Foundry and custom software.
• Lead Technically on Projects — serve as go-to resource for junior FDEs & set direction.
• Support Multiple Projects — manage workload across several projects.
• Move Fast in ambiguity — adapt without sacrificing quality.
• Originate Portfolio Patterns — build reusable patterns, frameworks, standards.
• Debug & Support — troubleshoot deployed solutions and respond to feedback.
• Deliver on Program Outcomes — align with client schedule, cost, and certainty.
• Lead Client Conversations — discuss scope, feasibility, trade-offs with stakeholders.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally — work with PMs, developers, data scientists, SMEs.

Skills

6+ years experience

Foundry & AIP

JavaScript (React) & Python

AI/LLMs in production

Ambiguity management

Lead engineers informally

Education

Relevant college degree

Industry certifications (plus)

Tools

Palantir Foundry

AIP

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

We're looking for a Mid-Senior Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE II) to own real ambiguity taking a rough problem statement from the client, Implementation Lead, PM, or Architect, and driving it to a working solution with minimal hand-holding, across Foundry and custom development alike. You'll work across multiple active projects at once, moving fluidly between domains, and you'll be looked to by junior FDEs for technical direction on the projects you're placed on. This isn't a role where you get one project and go deep for a year — you'll be the person other FDEs turn to when priorities shift or the path forward isn't obvious.

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.

Must-haves

• 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
• Strong software development experience, including a modern JavaScript frontend framework (React preferred) and Python, with genuine range across both Foundry and custom development
• 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.
• A list of offices can be found here https//www.jacobs.com/locations/americas/united-states

Benefits

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.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.