Forward Deployed Engineer (AI Data Platform)

Forward Deployed Engineer (AI Data Platform)

SF or NYC (in-office) | $150K–$275K + equity

This is not a typical engineering role

Most engineers build products and hand them off.

This role sits at the edge of the product — where messy, real-world data meets high-stakes decisions.

You’ll work directly with some of the most sophisticated investors in the world — embedding into their workflows, understanding how they think, and building systems that actually get used.

If you like:

• being close to the customer
• solving ambiguous, real problems
• and turning prototypes into production systems

this is that role.

What You’ll Actually Do

This is a mix of builder, problem solver, and technical partner.

• Build custom solutions on top of customer data (PDFs, Excel, databases — all of it)
• Connect structured + unstructured data into usable systems
• Create and run live demos on real customer data (often to senior stakeholders)
• Work alongside engineers to implement integrations and iterate quickly
• Sit directly with users, understand workflows, and translate that into product direction
• Decide what gets productized vs. what stays bespoke

- You’re not just supporting the product — you’re shaping it.

What They’re Looking For

This role is selective — it requires a specific type of engineer.

You likely have:

• 3–8 years in a technical, customer-facing role (FDE, Solutions Engineer, SWE with customer work)
• Strong fundamentals in Python + SQL
• Experience working with messy, real-world data
• Comfort navigating codebases and building quickly (often with modern AI tools)
• Strong communication — you can explain complex systems simply

Strong Signals

• Experience at early-stage or AI-native startups
• Exposure to data platforms, infrastructure, or developer tools
• Background working with enterprise customers
• Familiarity with AI/LLM workflows (RAG, embeddings, etc.)
• Interest or experience in financial systems

What Makes This Role Different

• You’ll work directly with founders and early engineers
• You’ll be embedded with customers — not removed from them
• The problems are messy, high-stakes, and unsolved
• You’ll influence what the product becomes, not just how it’s delivered

What This Role Is Not

• Not a pure SWE role sitting behind a roadmap
• Not a traditional solutions engineer role with scripted demos
• Not a place for someone who needs structure or clear boundaries

Why This Role

• Early-stage company with strong backing and real traction
• Small team, high ownership, fast iteration
• Opportunity to define the technical go-to-market function from scratch
• Direct exposure to customers and real-world impact

Compensation

• $150K–$275K base
• Competitive equity
• In-office in SF or NYC