At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build AI systems that solve real-world problems with clients.
- Company: Leading AI solutions provider with a focus on client collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel opportunities and a chance to shape future technology.
- Why this job: Make a tangible impact by integrating AI into diverse industries and legacy systems.
- Qualifications: Strong software engineering skills, experience with AI systems, and excellent communication.
The predicted salary is between 81000 - 99000 £ per year.
The role involves working with organisations that are serious about AI. A Forward Deployed Engineer sits between a staff engineer, a solutions architect, and a technical founder. The focus is on engineering judgement rather than familiarity with specific frameworks or models. You will embed with clients, identify real problems, and build solutions alongside them. This may involve designing an AI platform for an NHS trust or integrating LLM workflows into a manufacturer's ERP system. The goal is to leave behind software that people depend on.
You will work directly with clients to understand their operations and build AI systems that address real issues. This often means making AI work within legacy systems, imperfect data, and organisational constraints. This role is distinct from strategy consulting and internal engineering roles, as you will engage with users, engineers, and executives, moving between architecture and implementation until the project delivers value in production.
Core responsibilities:
- Lead technical delivery from discovery through to production, taking ownership of outcomes rather than just outputs.
- Embed with client teams to understand their systems, processes, and constraints, then design solutions that fit their environment.
- Design and build production AI systems, from LLM applications and agentic workflows to enterprise integrations, using appropriate tools.
- Integrate AI systems with existing enterprise software, databases, APIs, and identity platforms.
- Deploy, operate, and improve production AI systems across cloud infrastructure, application architecture, and data pipelines.
- Act as a trusted technical advisor to engineering teams and senior stakeholders, communicating complex decisions clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Turn successful engagements into reusable tooling, patterns, and engineering practices that enhance future delivery.
What we're looking for:
- A strong software engineering background with experience building and operating production systems.
- Comfortable in Python and Typescript, and at least one other modern language (Go, PHP, Java, etc.).
- Experience designing, building, and operating production AI systems from architecture through to deployment.
- Experience delivering software on modern cloud platforms (AWS/Azure) using modern CI/CD practices.
- Able to navigate ambiguity, make sensible technical trade-offs, and keep projects moving.
- Good engineering judgement, knowing when to optimise, simplify, or refrain from using AI.
- Strong communication skills and confidence working directly with clients, from engineers to executive leadership.
- Curious, pragmatic, and motivated by solving real-world problems.
- Willing to travel within the UK when projects require time on site with clients.
This role is not for you if:
- You want a pure engineering role with no client contact.
- You only want to work on greenfield projects with perfect requirements and modern technology.
- You prefer building in isolation rather than collaborating closely with customers and users.
- You wish to be insulated from the commercial consequences of your technical decisions.
You might be:
- A staff or principal software engineer seeking more ownership and closer contact with customers.
- A senior solutions architect wanting to spend more time shipping products.
- An experienced forward deployed engineer looking for a broader range of technical challenges and greater autonomy.
Forward Deployed Engineer London (Hybrid) · Full Time · £80,000 – £110,000 employer: The Institute of Ai
As a Forward Deployed Engineer in London, you'll be part of a dynamic team that thrives on solving real-world problems through innovative AI solutions. Our hybrid work culture promotes flexibility and collaboration, allowing you to engage directly with clients while enjoying the benefits of a supportive environment that prioritises employee growth and development. With competitive compensation and opportunities to work on diverse projects across various industries, we empower our engineers to take ownership of their work and make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Forward Deployed Engineer London (Hybrid) · Full Time · £80,000 – £110,000
✨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 The Institute of Ai 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 The Institute of Ai.
✨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 The Institute of Ai.
✨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 The Institute of Ai 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 London (Hybrid) · Full Time · £80,000 – £110,000
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 The Institute of Ai.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at The Institute of Ai 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 The Institute of Ai
✨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 The Institute of Ai 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.
