At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and build a high-performing AI engineering team for enterprise solutions.
- Company: Join an innovative tech business scaling cutting-edge AI platforms.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Unique chance to define engineering standards and influence architecture.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI engineering while making a real impact in major organisations.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in leading AI or software engineering teams.
The predicted salary is between 180000 - 200000 £ per year.
Salary: £180K – £200K
Location: London (Hybrid)
Here at Data Idols, we’re working with an innovative technology business that is scaling a cutting-edge AI platform used by enterprise organisations around the world. As demand continues to grow, they are looking for a Director of Forward Deployed Engineering to build and lead a new engineering capability responsible for delivering complex AI solutions into enterprise environments. This is a rare opportunity to define how AI engineering is delivered across major organisations while building a high‑performing team from the ground up.
This role combines engineering leadership, technical strategy and client engagement. You’ll work with senior stakeholders to shape AI implementation programmes, establish engineering best practice and build repeatable delivery frameworks that can scale across multiple enterprise clients.
The Opportunity
This is a highly strategic leadership role where you’ll be responsible for building an engineering practice rather than simply managing projects. You’ll recruit and develop exceptional engineers, define engineering standards and delivery methodologies, and oversee the successful implementation of enterprise AI platforms across a portfolio of high‑profile clients. You’ll help shape technical strategy while remaining close enough to delivery to influence architecture, engineering quality and client outcomes.
Skills and Experience
- Extensive experience leading software engineering, AI engineering or enterprise architecture teams
- Proven track record of building and scaling high‑performing engineering organisations
- Strong knowledge of modern AI technologies, large language models and agentic AI
- Experience delivering enterprise‑scale cloud platforms and distributed systems
- Strong consulting and stakeholder management skills
- Commercial awareness with experience supporting business development and solution design
If you are looking for a unique opportunity to build and lead one of the UK’s most ambitious AI engineering teams, while working on some of the most complex AI programmes in the market, please submit your CV for initial screening and further details.
Director of Forward Deployed Engineering employer: Data Science Festival
At Data Idols, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our hybrid working model in London allows for flexibility while you contribute to a cutting-edge AI-powered platform, with ample opportunities for professional growth and influence over key architectural decisions. Join us to be part of a high-performing engineering team where your expertise will directly impact the future of technology in a supportive and forward-thinking environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Forward Deployed Engineering
✨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 Data Science Festival 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 Data Science Festival.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Data Science Festival.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Data Science Festival that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Forward Deployed Engineering
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 Data Science Festival.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Data Science Festival 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 Data Science Festival
✨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 Data Science Festival 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.
