Forward Deployed Engineer

About Benmore TechnologiesBenmore Technologies is a software development and AI transformation firm based in downtown Chicago. We build custom software, AI systems, and internal automation platforms for growing mid-market companies across the United States. Our clients hire us to modernize operations, eliminate manual work, and build software that gives them a real competitive advantage. We are profitable, growing quickly, and hiring engineers who want ownership over real client work.The RoleAs a Forward-Deployed Engineer, you are the technical owner on client engagements from kickoff through delivery. You sit between the client and the build team: you run discovery, turn fuzzy requirements into a clear scope, make the architecture calls, and ship working software. Some weeks that means whiteboarding with an operations VP. Other weeks it means writing the critical-path code yourself. What you'll do- Run technical discovery with clients: turn business problems into crisp problem statements, user flows, and a prioritized MVP scope.- Own architecture decisions: pick pragmatic stacks, design data models and integration plans, and plan deployment with cost and scale in mind.- Direct a small team of senior engineers who build what you design, and keep delivery matched to the intended architecture.- Write code on the critical path (frontend, backend, integrations) and review PRs.- Run weekly client checkpoints: demo working software, explain tradeoffs, and keep scope and timelines honest.- De-risk delivery: identify unknowns early, run spikes and POCs, define acceptance criteria, and hold scope boundaries.- Document as you go: lightweight architecture notes and API maps so the next iteration starts fast.What we're looking for- A track record of shipping production web or mobile software on modern stacks.- Strong full-stack capability. We work heavily in Django and PostgreSQL; other stacks are fine if you ramp fast.- Comfortable with cloud infrastructure (AWS, DigitalOcean, or Azure) and CI/CD fundamentals.- Experience integrating common services: auth, payments (Stripe), email/SMS, file storage, maps.- Proven zero-to-one execution: you have taken an MVP or v1 live as a founder, first engineer, or the person actually responsible for it.- Clear client-facing communication: you can run a structured technical meeting, write a spec, and explain a tradeoff to a non-technical founder.- Works well under pace: multiple engagements, real deadlines, direct feedback.Nice to have- Hands-on AI/LLM work: prompting, retrieval, embeddings, model selection, vendor integrations.- Mobile experience (React Native or Flutter).- Prior consulting or services experience.Compensation and benefits- On-target total compensation of $120,000 to $150,000 (base salary plus performance comp), depending on experience and qualifications.- Benefits included.- Downtown Chicago office with the founding team.