At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical projects and deploy cutting-edge AI solutions in defence and national security.
- Company: Join a pioneering team at Sovereign AI, focused on innovative technology.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, flexible contract, and hands-on experience with advanced tech.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant career growth while tackling real-world problems.
- Why this job: Take ownership of impactful projects and solve complex challenges in a secure environment.
- Qualifications: Strong background in full-stack development and cloud infrastructure, with active DV clearance.
I’m working on an exciting contract opportunity for a Principal Forward Deployed Engineer to join a growing team delivering cutting-edge AI solutions across defence and national security. This is a hands-on, technically demanding role for someone who enjoys taking products from 0 to 1, solving complex infrastructure challenges and getting software deployed into highly secure, restricted and air-gapped environments.
£650–850 per day
3–6 month contract
Outside IR35
London | 1–2 days per week on-site
Active DV clearance essential
What you’ll be doing:
- Leading technical engagements with senior defence, engineering and security stakeholders.
- Owning deployments end to end, from requirements gathering through to integration, testing, accreditation and handover.
- Adapting cloud-native applications to Kubernetes, OpenShift, on-premise, private cloud and air-gapped environments.
- Working across GCP, Terraform, Docker and CI/CD pipelines.
- Remaining hands-on with full-stack development, APIs, infrastructure and production troubleshooting.
- Taking ownership of technical documentation, testing strategies and security assurance.
What I’m looking for:
- A Principal Engineer or former technical founder with strong 0-to-1 product experience.
- Extensive hands-on experience with GCP and infrastructure/DevOps.
- Strong full-stack engineering skills across TypeScript, Node.js, React and PostgreSQL.
- Experience deploying and integrating complex software across varied infrastructure environments.
- A strong understanding of security engineering, testing and technical assurance.
- Active DV clearance is essential.
- Experience delivering into MOD, defence or other highly restricted environments would be a huge plus.
- Production AI/LLM experience is also desirable.
This is a great opportunity for an engineer who wants genuine technical ownership and the chance to tackle some of the most challenging problems in sovereign AI.
Forward Deployed Engineer employer: Few&Far Group Ltd
Sovereign AI is an exceptional employer for those seeking to make a significant impact in the defence and national security sectors. With a focus on cutting-edge AI solutions, employees benefit from a collaborative work culture that fosters innovation and technical ownership, alongside opportunities for professional growth in a highly secure environment. Located in London, the role offers flexibility with on-site requirements, making it an attractive option for engineers eager to tackle complex challenges while contributing to meaningful projects.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Forward Deployed Engineer
✨Get Involved in Open-Source Projects
Diving into open-source projects is a brilliant way to showcase your skills and connect with other developers in the community. Not only will you beef up your GitHub profile but you might also catch the eye of someone at Few&Far Group Ltd who values hands-on experience over just theory.
✨Attend Local Tech Meetups
Tech meetups are gold mines for networking and discovering job opportunities, especially in the fast-paced world of software engineering. Check out local listings for events in your area and don’t shy away from introducing yourself. This could lead directly to a temporary position at Few&Far Group Ltd!
✨Showcase Your Work Online
With temporary roles, it’s all about standing out in a short space of time. Create a portfolio website where you highlight your projects and skills. Talk about your code, and provide links to your GitHub repositories. This will not only demonstrate your abilities but will also make it easier for recruiters at Few&Far Group Ltd to see what you bring to the table.
✨Leverage Temporary Job Boards
Don’t forget to check specialised job boards for temporary software development roles. Websites like We Work Remotely or Remote OK often list short-term gigs that can be a perfect fit. Apply directly through our website as well, making sure your application is sharp—temporary roles can move fast!
We think you need these skills to ace Forward Deployed Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Tech Skills:Make sure your CV highlights your tech stack and any programming languages you’re proficient in. Include specifics about any frameworks or technologies you’ve worked with; they can make you stand out in the sea of applicants. It’s all about showing that you have the chops we need at Few&Far Group Ltd!
Portfolio 2.0:Since you’re applying for a temporary gig, it’s super important to showcase a portfolio that highlights your best projects. Include links to GitHub or any personal projects that demonstrate what you can do in a real-world environment. This gives us a taste of your style and your problem-solving approach!
Keep It Brief and Relevant:With a temporary position, we want to see your ability to hit the ground running. Be concise in your CV and cover letter; stick to experiences that directly relate to the role. Highlight any previous temporary roles or freelance gigs that show your adaptability and quick learning!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Don’t just send a generic cover letter. Personalise it for Forward Deployed Engineer at Few&Far Group Ltd! Mention why this temporary role excites you and how you see yourself contributing in the short run. Show us what you've got and why you're the one for this quick turn-around!
How to prepare for a job interview at Few&Far Group Ltd
✨Nail the Technical Skills
For a software engineering role, you'll likely face technical questions or coding tasks during your interview. Brush up on the relevant programming languages and frameworks that Few&Far Group Ltd uses, and don’t forget to practice some coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank. Showing your coding prowess can really make you stand out!
✨Prepare for System Design Questions
Even for a temporary role, having a grasp of system design principles can be crucial. Be ready to discuss how you would architect a software solution, including discussing trade-offs, scalability, and performance considerations. Having examples from previous projects can really show off your analytical thinking.
✨Demonstrate Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, you'll want to emphasise your ability to hit the ground running. Highlight experiences where you quickly adapted to new technologies or teams. Let’s make it clear to the interviewers at Few&Far Group Ltd that you can learn on the job and deliver results in a short timeframe!
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
Make sure to have a portfolio or GitHub ready showcasing your projects. Having tangible evidence of what you've done—be it personal projects, contributions to open-source, or previous work—can convey how capable you are. Tailor this for what might interest Few&Far Group Ltd, so it's relevant and sparks conversation during your interview.
