The Forward Deployment Engineer (FDE) is a client-facing, hands-on engineering role at the intersection of software development, AI deployment, and solution consulting. Working directly with enterprise customers across the UK and Europe, FDEs design, build, and deploy scalable, production-grade solutions that integrate Ithina’s platform into real-world operations.
This role bridges product innovation and customer impact—translating complex business requirements into robust, high-performance systems in live environments.
ABOUT ITHINA
Ithina has recently launched as a global AI operating platform for real‑time physical commerce and industrial operations, with more than 50 million connected endpoints deployed across retail, manufacturing, and warehouse environments worldwide. With the acquisition of Displaydata (UK), Agile Displays (US) and Altierre (Europe), Ithina becomes one of the largest digitally addressable execution networks at the intersection of AI, edge connectivity, and IoT infrastructure—a foundation designed to move enterprises from insight to action inside the physical world.
We partner with many of the world’s leading retail brands across the U.S., Europe, LATAM, and Asia.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
Custom Solution Development
- Design and build integrations, APIs, AI models, and automated workflows aligned to client requirements and business outcomes.
Deployment & Production Scaling
- Deploy and scale solutions into secure, production environments, including cloud infrastructure, data pipelines, and system integrations.
Live Operations & Optimisation
- Troubleshoot live systems, resolve complex technical issues, and optimise performance, reliability, and scalability.
- Lead technical workshops, gather requirements, and act as a trusted advisor to both technical and business stakeholders.
Enablement & Handover
- Deliver training, documentation, and knowledge transfer to ensure sustained adoption and client self‑sufficiency.
Success Measures
- Successful delivery of client deployments on time and to specification.
- System performance targets (e.g., uptime, latency, scalability benchmarks).
- Customer adoption and usage growth post‑deployment.
- Contribution to pre‑sales and solution design influencing revenue growth.
- Establishment of scalable delivery best practices and Centres of Excellence.
Person Specification
Knowledge & Experience
Technical Mastery: Full‑stack development (Python, TypeScript, Java), cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) AI/ML systems, distributed systems and data pipelines
Problem Solving: Ability to work with incomplete specifications, rapidly prototype and iterate solutions
Communication & Empathy: Translate complex technical issues into business language and manage client expectations
Business & Compliance Awareness: Understand operational constraints, ROI‑driven design and regulatory frameworks like GDPR
Ownership & Adaptability: Manage end‑to‑end deployments with autonomy, balancing multiple priorities
Core Competencies
Technical Delivery & Engineering Excellence
- Ability to design, build, and deploy scalable, production‑grade systems.
- Strong full‑stack and cloud engineering capability.
- Understanding of AI/ML integration and data pipelines.
- Focus on reliability, performance, and security.
Problem Solving & Analytical Thinking
- Comfortable working with incomplete or ambiguous requirements.
- Ability to diagnose complex system issues in live environments.
- Structured, hypothesis‑driven troubleshooting approach.
Customer‑Centric Mindset
- Strong focus on delivering measurable business value.
- Ability to understand customer operations and pain points.
- Builds trust as a technical advisor.
Communication & Translation Skills
- Explains complex technical concepts in simple, business‑friendly terms.
- Facilitates workshops and stakeholder discussions.
- Manages expectations effectively across technical and non‑technical audiences.
Collaboration & Stakeholder Management
- Works effectively across product, engineering, sales, and client teams.
- Influences without authority.
- Navigates multiple stakeholders and priorities.
Ownership & Accountability
- Takes end‑to‑end responsibility for solution delivery.
- Proactive in identifying risks and driving resolution.
- Comfortable operating autonomously in client environments.
Adaptability & Learning Agility
- Quickly learns new technologies, domains, and client environments.
- Comfortable switching between projects and contexts.
- Thrives in fast‑paced, evolving environments (e.g., AI, IoT,
Why Join Ithina?
- Opportunity to drive growth in a high‑visibility role within a rapidly expanding global technology company.
- Work with some of the world’s most innovative and recognizable retail brands.
- Be part of a collaborative, ambitious team shaping the future of in‑store digital transformation.
