Director of Forward-Deployed Engineering (AI Practice Lead)

Director of Forward-Deployed Engineering (AI Practice Lead)

Full-Time 81000 - 99000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team to design and implement cutting-edge AI solutions for clients.
  • Company: A dynamic AI Engineering Consulting firm at the forefront of technology.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Opportunity to mentor and build high-performing teams in a fast-paced environment.
  • Why this job: Join a pioneering team and shape the future of AI in real-world applications.
  • Qualifications: Extensive engineering management experience and deep knowledge of the Anthropic Claude ecosystem.

The predicted salary is between 81000 - 99000 £ per year.

Director of Forward-Deployed Engineering (AI Practice Lead)

A growing AI Engineering Consulting company, partnered with a leading player in frontier AI, is seeking a CTO-level technical leader to head up their Forward-Deployed Engineering Group.

You will be responsible for

  • Leading the Forward-Deployed Engineering Group, acting as the executive practice lead responsible for scoping, architecting, and ensuring delivery success across client engagements.
  • Designing Claude-based architectures, including technical implementation harnesses, integration layers, and solution architectures using the full stack of Anthropic Claude technologies.
  • Modernising the software engineering models, overhauling Legacy codebases and enabling autonomous Claude-powered agents to build software.
  • Establishing governance frameworks, organisational support, and strategic guidance necessary for the deployment of intelligent AI models.
  • Leading pre-sales engagements, partnering with clients to conduct high-level technical reviews and build confidence at senior level.
  • Scaling global FDE teams, building, mentoring, and deploying high-performing onshore and offshore squads.
  • Required Experience
  • Extensive engineering management experience as a CTO, Head of Engineering, or Practice Lead, with a track record of leading Forward-Deployed Engineering teams that work directly inside client environments to design, build, and deliver solutions.
  • Deep, hands-on knowledge of the Anthropic Claude ecosystem, agentic orchestration, and end-to-end enterprise implementation, with the practical experience to apply it in complex, real-world client environments.
  • Strong expertise in cloud infrastructure, enterprise integration, and modern development practices.
  • Proven experience delivering technology projects within the financial services sector, with a strong understanding of the regulatory, security, risk, and governance requirements.
  • Strong blend of commercial and technical expertise, from defining delivery scope and statements of work through to designing and implementing technical solutions.

Director of Forward-Deployed Engineering (AI Practice Lead) employer: Careerwise

As a Senior Engineer in Data Engineering, you will join a dynamic team dedicated to delivering impactful data solutions within a large-scale programme. Our company fosters a collaborative work culture that prioritises employee growth through mentorship and continuous learning opportunities, all while working in a secure environment that values innovation and excellence. Located in the UK, we offer a unique chance to contribute to significant public sector projects, ensuring your work is both meaningful and rewarding.

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Contact Details:

Careerwise Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Director of Forward-Deployed Engineering (AI Practice Lead)

Join Local Tech Meetups

Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Careerwise or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!

Contribute to Open Source Projects

Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Careerwise.

Tap into Online Developer Communities

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Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles

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We think you need these skills to ace Director of Forward-Deployed Engineering (AI Practice Lead)

Leadership
Technical Architecture Design
Anthropic Claude Technologies
Software Engineering Modernisation
Legacy Codebase Overhaul
AI Model Deployment Governance
Pre-sales Engagements

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.

Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Careerwise.

Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Careerwise and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!

Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!

How to prepare for a job interview at Careerwise

Brush Up on Your Coding Skills

For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.

Know Your Tools and Frameworks

Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Careerwise uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.

Showcase Your Projects

Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.

Prepare for Behavioural Questions

While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.