At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to transform software engineering with AI, driving innovation and excellence.
- Company: Join Indicium AI, a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of AI deployment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional growth, and access to cutting-edge AI tools.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to work alongside top-tier partners like Anthropic.
- Why this job: Shape the future of software engineering and make a real impact in various industries.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in software engineering leadership with a passion for AI transformation.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 180000 £ per year.
About Indicium AI
Indicium AI was Anthropic’s first European launch partner - and sits among a handful of organisations globally trusted by Anthropic to deploy Claude at enterprise scale. We are also one of the first four OpenAI partners in the UK, and Databricks Ventures has invested in our business and holds a seat on our board. Our engineers have access to the latest AI tools and models, partner technical teams, and early capability previews that the wider market does not. We are deploying production AI systems into the world's most complex organisations across Financial Services, Energy, and Healthcare. We exist to make AI a genuine competitive advantage for our clients, not in a presentation but in production.
The Role
Software engineering is being fundamentally reshaped by AI. The organisations that move fastest to adopt AI native development practices - Claude Code across their engineering teams, agents embedded in their SDLC, new operating models for how engineers and AI tools work together - will have a decisive advantage. Most enterprises know this. Very few have the leadership to make it happen. This is a senior technical leadership role at the head of our Forward Deployed Software Engineering practice. Reporting to the CTO, you will lead a team of Forward Deployed Software Engineers who embed with client engineering organisations to transform how they build software in the age of AI. You will own the practice end to end - the quality of engagements, the playbooks that let it scale, the team you build, and the relationships you hold with clients and partners. This is a role for a true lifetime software engineer: someone who has built and shaped engineering teams, who has likely held CTO or VP Engineering roles, and who is now deeply passionate about how AI is transforming the discipline they have spent their career mastering. You will work directly with client engineering leaders at the most senior level, with Anthropic partner teams, and with Indicium AI leadership to define the direction of our software engineering transformation practice.
What You Will Do
- Lead, hire, and develop a high-performing team of Forward Deployed Software Engineers - setting a high bar for engineering excellence, client instincts, and delivery quality
- Define and evolve the Indicium AI approach to AI native engineering transformation - covering Claude Code adoption, agentic SDLC tooling, engineering operating models, team structures, and best practice at scale
- Own the technical and operational bar for software engineering engagements - reviewing SOWs, shaping engagement architecture, and ensuring your team delivers lasting capability change in client organisations
- Manage hands-on technical delivery in enterprise - you are comfortable moving fluidly between boardroom conversations with a CTO about engineering strategy and pairing with your team on a client codebase
- Build the playbooks, reference implementations, and repeatable patterns that turn one-off transformation engagements into a scalable practice
- Develop vertical fluency across the team in Financial Services, Energy, and Healthcare - understanding the specific engineering constraints and compliance requirements of each sector
- Partner with Sales to shape pipeline, scope engagements, and identify expansion opportunities within existing accounts
- Work alongside Anthropic field teams on joint engagements - representing Indicium AI at the highest level
- Provide technical mentorship, conduct regular 1:1s, and invest in the career growth of each team member
- Be the external voice of Indicium AI’s software engineering transformation practice - through client relationships, partner engagement, and thought leadership
What We Are Looking For
- 10+ years in software engineering with at least 4 years in senior engineering leadership - CTO, VP Engineering, Head of Engineering, or equivalent roles where you built and shaped teams
- A true lifetime software engineer - you have written production code across your career, led architecture decisions on complex systems, and built engineering cultures that ship
- Deep passion for how AI is transforming software engineering - you are already using AI native development tools and have a clear, informed view on where the discipline is heading
- A track record of building engineering teams from early stage - hiring, developing, and retaining exceptional engineers, not just managing an inherited organisation
- Experience driving engineering transformation - whether adopting new practices, retooling an SDLC, or scaling an engineering organisation through a step change in capability
- Enterprise credibility - you have worked with or within large engineering organisations and understand the realities of legacy systems, compliance, procurement, and multi-team coordination
- Executive presence - you can hold your own with a CTO or VP Engineering and translate technical strategy into clear narratives for diverse audiences
- High agency and comfort with ambiguity - you have built something from zero before and know what it takes
Nice to Have
- Former CTO or VP Engineering at a scaling technology company
- Experience in a client-facing engineering role - forward deployed engineering, technical consulting, or engineering advisory
- Experience with Claude Code enterprise deployment, AI agent integration into development workflows, or MCP server development
- External presence - writing, speaking, or community contribution in the software engineering or engineering leadership space
- Experience working alongside or within partner ecosystems such as Anthropic, Databricks, or AWS at a senior level
- Experience in a Palantir, Anthropic, DeepMind, or similar forward-deployed engineering model
Director Forward Deployed Software Engineering EMEA in London employer: Indicium AI
As a People Leader in Europe, you will join a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. Our commitment to competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive environment fosters engagement and retention, making us an exceptional employer in the UK and Portugal. With opportunities to shape our people strategy and collaborate with global leaders, you will play a pivotal role in driving our mission forward while enjoying the unique advantages of working in a fast-growing, international organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director Forward Deployed Software Engineering EMEA in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend meetups, conferences, or even online webinars. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work, especially projects that involve AI or software engineering. This is your chance to demonstrate how you can make a real impact in a role like Director of Forward Deployed Software Engineering.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their approach to AI and software engineering. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their needs and how you can lead their transformation efforts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Indicium AI.
We think you need these skills to ace Director Forward Deployed Software Engineering EMEA in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for AI:Make sure to highlight your enthusiasm for how AI is reshaping software engineering. We want to see that you’re not just familiar with AI tools, but that you’re genuinely excited about their potential and have a clear vision for the future of the discipline.
Tailor Your Experience:When detailing your past roles, focus on your leadership experience and how you've built and shaped engineering teams. We’re looking for someone who has a track record of driving transformation, so be specific about your achievements in this area.
Be Clear and Concise:Your application should be easy to read and straight to the point. Use clear language to describe your experiences and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant. We appreciate clarity and want to understand your journey without sifting through fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who follow the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Indicium AI
✨Know Your AI Inside Out
Given the focus on AI native development practices, make sure you’re well-versed in the latest AI tools and models. Brush up on Claude Code and how it integrates into software engineering. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with these technologies and how they can transform engineering processes.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
This role requires a strong background in senior engineering leadership. Prepare examples of how you've built and shaped teams in the past. Highlight specific instances where your leadership directly contributed to successful engineering transformations or improved delivery quality.
✨Understand the Client Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the sectors Indicium AI operates in, such as Financial Services, Energy, and Healthcare. Be prepared to discuss the unique engineering constraints and compliance requirements of these industries, and how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Communicate with Confidence
You’ll need to engage with high-level executives like CTOs and VPs of Engineering. Practice translating complex technical strategies into clear narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. This will demonstrate your executive presence and ability to lead conversations at the highest level.
