At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct AI audits, build solutions, and support client engagements in a hybrid role.
- Company: Join OpenKit, an innovative AI consultancy based in Cambridge.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, equity options, and training budget.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and learning.
- Why this job: Be the first senior delivery hire and shape the future of AI adoption.
- Qualifications: Strong coding skills, applied AI knowledge, and excellent communication abilities.
Hybrid role based at our Cambridge office with dedicated time onsite at clients during engagements.
About OpenKit
OpenKit was founded in 2020 by Ibrahim Mizi and Reuben McQueen. We are an independent AI consultancy based in Cambridge. We help organisations adopt AI properly, embedding ourselves within their teams, training staff and building and implementing tools around their actual workflows. Our job is to determine what is worth changing, take reliable tools and train teams to use them, and build custom integrations only where they drive measurable impact. We are a small team working in regulated, high‑stakes environments, holding ISO 27001, ISO 9001 and Cyber Essentials certifications. Clients include the Department for Education, the City of London, DEFRA, London councils, and private firms in finance, law, healthcare and manufacturing, spanning the UK, US and Europe.
Why Join Us
We are scaling fast. You would be our first senior delivery hire, with ownership of clients, influence on pricing, hiring, and operations, and equity that grows with the company. You’ll work across regulated banks, manufacturers and heritage retail brands – never the same problem twice. We are honest about AI limits and ship secure systems, not slide decks. We support our people with training, conferences, flexibility and founders working alongside.
The Role
This is a people‑facing role requiring technical capability and strong social skills, genuine interest in business structures across sectors, and solving problems within them. You will learn the method with founders, then own client portfolios, scope, build, communicate, and support engagements.
What The Work Looks Like
You will conduct AI audits through interviews and workshops to find where time is lost and where AI can improve operational efficiency. Clients leave with a roadmap and initial AI tools; you embed, deliver, and scale the rest. You will build pipelines, wire data sources, AI platforms, integrations and configuration into real systems. You negotiate success metrics, train users and ensure adoption so tools remain in use. You identify next workflows and continue support.
The Stack
You will work with whatever the client already runs, typically AWS, Azure or GCP, OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, or open‑weight models where data stays on‑prem. You must be able to learn new tools, frameworks and sector knowledge quickly.
Responsibilities
- Conduct AI audits, workshops and interviews with leadership and departments.
- Scope, build, and own communication with clients.
- Design plans for AI adoption and implement solutions.
- Set up data sources, AI platforms, integrations, MCP servers and connectors.
- Agree on success metrics and demonstrate results.
- Train end users and ensure smooth adoption.
- Continuously identify and support new AI opportunities.
What You’ll Need
- Build things, not just advise – set up AI platforms, write servers and connectors, or build applications.
- Strong full‑stack coding experience pre‑LLM, steering AI coding tools with solid development skill.
- Applied AI knowledge – understand current models, avoid marketing hype, and evaluate real impact.
- Fast learning and growth enthusiasm – start with a senior lead, then own clients.
- Experience in delivery‑focused roles: consulting, solutions engineering, technical pre‑sales or implementation.
- Strong communication – speak confidently in front of rooms and train teams.
- Travel to central Cambridge office.
The Mindset We Are Looking For
You care whether your implementation is used; a clever build nobody touches is a failure. You can run independently without calendar oversight.
Nice to Have
- Experience changing how teams work, not just passing tools.
- Deploying into regulated or security‑conscious settings like public sector, finance or healthcare.
- Hands‑on major cloud AI services.
- Familiarity with RAG, agent frameworks and current applied‑AI tooling.
- Second language – French is useful but not required.
Salary
Base salary £65,000. Inclusive performance bonus tied to client retention, renewal, and usage, equity options as the company grows, and a budget for training and conferences with flexibility in how you work.
How to Apply
Email jobs@openkit.co.uk with your CV and a short cover letter (three paragraphs max) on why you’re a good fit. Use the subject line “FDE application – [your name]”. Include a summary of relevant experience and achievements, or one proud build, with a few lines on what it is and what you did.
Forward Deployed Engineer in Cambridge employer: OpenKit
OpenKit is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of AI consultancy in a dynamic and supportive environment. As a Forward Deployed Engineer, you will enjoy significant ownership of client engagements, influence on company operations, and the chance to grow alongside a rapidly scaling team. With a strong emphasis on training, flexibility, and collaboration with founders, OpenKit fosters a culture of innovation and continuous learning, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and impactful work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Forward Deployed Engineer in Cambridge
✨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 OpenKit 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 OpenKit.
✨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 OpenKit.
✨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 OpenKit 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 Forward Deployed Engineer in Cambridge
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 OpenKit.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at OpenKit 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 OpenKit
✨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 OpenKit 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.
