Forward Deployed Engineer

Forward Deployed Engineer Location: DC Metro AreaWork Model: On-site with customer (50% travel)Compensation: $175,000–$225,000 base salary + Equity About the Role A cutting-edge Generative AI company supporting government and commercial customers is seeking a Forward Deployed Engineer to work directly with strategic partners on high-impact AI deployments. This role is deeply customer-facing and embedded on-site, partnering with end users to design, prototype, and deploy secure, production-grade Generative AI agents and plugins. The ideal candidate combines strong technical execution with the ability to communicate clearly, operate autonomously, and deliver solutions in complex, high-security environments. What You’ll Do Customer Partnership & Delivery Embed with customers to understand business processes and identify opportunities where Generative AI can drive meaningful impact Partner closely with customer leadership and key decision-makers to align on design, implementation, and deployment Provide hands-on support across the full lifecycle—from concept through production Deliver in-depth training to end users to ensure successful adoption Generative AI Development Architect, develop, and maintain Generative AI agents and plugins using Python and related frameworks Build full-stack AI-powered solutions that automate workflows and improve operational efficiency Apply strong prompt engineering techniques and AI framework expertise to deliver robust solutions Stay current on emerging trends in Generative AI, Python development, and AI infrastructure Technical Excellence & Security Write clean, efficient, and maintainable code with a strong focus on security and data privacy Implement best practices for secure coding, performance optimization, and system reliability Demonstrate strong knowledge of common vulnerabilities and secure software design principles Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate AI solutions into existing customer systems Qualifications Required Customer-facing technical experience strongly preferred At least 1 year of hands-on experience building Generative AI agents or automation Strong Python development skills and experience with Generative AI frameworks Expertise delivering secure solutions on modern cloud infrastructures Ability to clearly explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences Strong project management skills with ownership of execution from start to finish Willingness to work on-site at customer locations daily and travel up to 50% Active Department of Defense Secret or Top Secret clearance U.S. Citizenship required Preferred Experience working in high-security or regulated environments Relevant technical certifications Background in automation, AI platforms, or developer tooling Screening & Compliance Requirements Comprehensive background check (employment, education, criminal history) Security clearance verification and maintenance Fingerprinting as required by customer or project Reference checks assessing professionalism, reliability, and trustworthiness Technical and behavioral interviews focused on Python, Generative AI, and secure development practices Benefits Work with mission-critical, cutting-edge Generative AI technology Operate in a collaborative, fast-moving, and innovation-driven environment Competitive compensation and benefits, including: 100% employer-covered health plans 401(k) Flexible PTO Equity / stock options Opportunity to make a direct impact on customer outcomes and company growth