What are the responsibilities and job description for the Forward Deployed Engineer position at AustinWorks?
Forward Deployed Engineer
Location: San Francisco or New York, hybrid
Compensation: $150K–$200K base / $250K–$350K OTE
Equity: Meaningful fund-level upside/carry
Travel: Up to 30–40% to partner sites
About:
Our client is building a new model at the intersection of frontier AI, software engineering, and business transformation. Rather than selling software as a vendor, they take controlling stakes in founder-led businesses and work directly inside those companies to deploy AI, data workflows, and custom software that drive measurable operational growth.
This is a rare opportunity to join a tiny, elite team founded by leaders who helped build Palantir Commercial and helped define the original Forward Deployed Engineering model. Early engineers will have meaningful ownership, high visibility, and the chance to work on real business transformation rather than traditional product tickets.
As a Forward Deployed Engineer, you will work directly with executives, operators, and frontline users to understand messy business problems, identify where technology can create leverage, and build/deploy production systems end-to-end.
What you’ll do:
- Build and deploy AI systems, software tools, data workflows, and automations inside partner companies
- Own projects from discovery and scoping through deployment and adoption
- Work directly with technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Help shape transformation roadmaps and identify high-leverage opportunities
Ideal background:
- 1.5–5 years of strong software engineering, FDE, applied AI, or full-stack experience
- Deep proficiency in Python, TypeScript, Java, C , or similar
- Experience building production-grade systems in ambiguous environments
- Strong communication skills and comfort working with users/customers
- Curiosity beyond pure engineering, including business, operations, startups, finance, or investing
Salary : $150,000 - $200,000