At a Glance
- Tasks: Deploy cutting-edge AI-native software development tools in complex enterprise environments.
- Company: Join JetBrains, a leader in developer tools since 2000.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Mentor fellow engineers and influence best practices in AI adoption.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI-driven development with innovative companies.
- Qualifications: Experience in software projects, customer-facing roles, and familiarity with Java or Python.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
At JetBrains, code is our passion. Ever since we started, back in 2000, we have strived to make the strongest, most effective developer tools on earth. By automating routine checks and corrections, our tools speed up production, freeing developers to grow, discover, and create. We just unveiled JetBrains Central, a platform for agent-driven software development that connects tools, agents, and infrastructure. It enables automated AI workflows to run, be monitored, and be managed across teams – with clear visibility into results, costs, and performance.
JetBrains Central Provides Three Core Capabilities:
- Governance and control: Policy enforcement, identity and access management, observability, auditability, and cost attribution for agent-driven work.
- Agent execution infrastructure: Cloud agent runtimes and computation provisioning that allow agents to run reliably across development environments.
- Agent optimization and context: Shared semantic context across repositories and projects, enabling agents to access relevant knowledge, and task routing to the most appropriate models or tools.
Inside the Professional Services department, we are building a team of Forward Deployed Engineers to help our customers adopt AI-native development with JetBrains Central and enable JetBrains consulting partners to transform their customers’ AI-native software development lifecycle.
About The Role:
As a Principal Forward Deployed Engineer, you will work directly with early adopter customers to deploy JetBrains Central platform into complex enterprise environments and help them move from experimental AI usage to governed, scalable AI-native development. You will act as a trusted advisor to customer engineering teams and consulting partners, while also mentoring other Forward Deployed Engineers and helping with complex deployments. In this role, you will help establish best practices for enterprise AI adoption and influence how organizations implement AI-driven software development. This role combines consulting, architecture, and hands-on engineering. Your work in the field will directly influence how our platform evolves and how enterprises adopt AI-driven development. You will work directly with the world’s most innovative companies – our client base includes 420 of the Fortune 500 – ensuring they maximize the value of their JetBrains investments.
What You’ll Do:
- Deploy JetBrains Central platform into enterprise development environments, CI/CD systems, and internal developer platforms.
- Help organizations transition from ad-hoc AI experimentation to governed AI-native development workflows.
- Implement enterprise AI governance, including security policies, access management, and data privacy controls.
- Enable observability for AI-driven development to help organizations understand their AI usage and its impact on productivity in addition to code-generation patterns.
- Design sustainable AI adoption strategies, including usage controls and cost visibility across multiple model providers.
- Integrate our cloud-based agent execution layer, allowing AI agents to run securely and at scale.
- Collaborate closely with JetBrains product teams to shape the platform based on real-world deployments and customer feedback.
- Create delivery frameworks and train JetBrains partners to deliver the desired scope of service.
- Mentor and support other Forward Deployed Engineers, sharing architectural expertise and helping to scale the team’s deployment practices.
You will thrive in this role if you are:
- A consultant at heart who can communicate effectively with both engineers and technical leadership.
- Able to see the whole picture of the software development lifecycle across developer tools, infrastructure, APIs, and cloud systems.
- Experienced at integrating complex software systems into enterprise environments.
- Curious about the future of AI agents and AI-native software development.
- Comfortable working with early adopters and overcoming ambiguous technical challenges.
- Motivated to mentor other engineers and contribute to building a new technical discipline.
What You Will Bring:
- Experience in software-related projects, ideally in a customer-facing or consulting environment.
- Familiarity with Java or Python.
- Experience building or integrating developer platforms, infrastructure systems, or software solutions.
- Familiarity with modern development workflows (CI/CD, developer environments, internal developer platforms, etc.).
- Experience working directly with customers or technical stakeholders.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to operate in fast-evolving technical environments.
- Ability and desire to travel to meet customers.
These would be a plus, but are not blockers:
- Experience with industry-specific solutions (fintech, telco, retail, etc.).
- Experience with AI/LLM platforms, agent frameworks, or AI-assisted development tools.
- Experience in solutions engineering, consulting, or forward-deployed engineering roles.
- Familiarity with the JetBrains ecosystem or developer productivity tooling.
We are an equal opportunity employer. We know great ideas can come from anyone, anywhere. That’s why we do our best to create an open and inclusive workplace – one that welcomes everyone regardless of their background, identity, religion, age, accessibility needs, or orientation.
Principal Forward Deployed Engineer – AI-Native Software Development in London employer: JetBrains
At JetBrains, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to innovate and excel. As a Principal Forward Deployed Engineer, you will not only engage with cutting-edge AI technologies but also have the opportunity to mentor fellow engineers and shape the future of software development. With a commitment to professional growth and a collaborative environment, JetBrains offers a unique platform for meaningful contributions in a company that values creativity and expertise.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Forward Deployed Engineer – AI-Native Software Development in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who might have insights into JetBrains or similar companies. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into JetBrains Central and its capabilities. Show off your knowledge about AI-native development and how it can transform software lifecycles. We want to see your passion for coding and innovation!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job openings; be proactive! Apply through our website and express your interest in the Principal Forward Deployed Engineer role. Tailor your approach to highlight how your experience aligns with the needs of JetBrains.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in the interviewers' minds. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Forward Deployed Engineer – AI-Native Software Development in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Code:At JetBrains, we live and breathe code, so make sure your application reflects your passion for software development. Share your experiences with coding, tools you've used, and any projects that showcase your skills.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! We want to see how your experience aligns with the role of Principal Forward Deployed Engineer. Highlight relevant projects and skills that demonstrate your ability to integrate complex systems and work with customers.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon unless it’s necessary. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point while showcasing your expertise.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at JetBrains
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Java and Python. Brush up on your knowledge of CI/CD systems and developer platforms, as you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in these areas during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Consulting Skills
Since this role involves working closely with customers, be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in a consulting environment. Highlight how you've effectively communicated with both technical teams and leadership, and share examples of how you've helped clients overcome challenges.
✨Understand AI-Native Development
Familiarise yourself with AI-native software development and the JetBrains Central platform. Be ready to discuss how you would help organisations transition from ad-hoc AI experimentation to structured, governed workflows, showcasing your understanding of enterprise AI governance.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to face technical challenges during the interview. Prepare to walk through your problem-solving process, especially in fast-evolving environments. Think of specific examples where you’ve integrated complex software systems or tackled ambiguous technical issues.