Forward-Deployed Software Engineer

About Benmore TechnologiesBenmore Technologies partners with non-technical founders and SMBs to take software products from idea to MVP and beyond. We operate at the intersection of AI-native development, modern infrastructure, and hands-on client delivery. Our engineers don't support projects. They own them.The RoleMost engineers optimize one codebase. Forward-Deployed Engineers at Benmore ship multiple products a year across industries: NIL athlete platforms, EHR systems, fintech tools, compliance software, cattle ranching operations, and more. You are the technical co-founder on every engagement you touch.You'll own the stack end-to-end: pick the database, design the APIs, make architecture calls under uncertainty, and ship working software to real users. You'll work alongside a Harvard AI researcher on AI-integrated engagements, collaborate with Account Executives from Stripe, Iubenda, and Vanta, and operate as a genuine decision-maker on every project you lead.This is not a support role. You are the person clients count on to turn a napkin idea into a funded, revenue-generating product.What You'll DoLead technical discovery: turn fuzzy requirements into crisp problem statements, user flows, and a prioritized MVP scope.Own architecture decisions end-to-end: pick the stack, design the data model, plan integrations, and set deployment patterns with scale and cost in mind.Design and own APIs: define contracts, structure endpoints, and make tradeoff calls without waiting for a committee.Manage a small team of senior engineers responsible for implementing the solutions you design, ensuring delivery matches your technical vision.Ship software: implement critical paths across the full stack (frontend, backend, integrations), review PRs, and hold the quality bar.Run client engagements: weekly checkpoints, prototype walkthroughs, scope tradeoffs, and timeline management.De-risk delivery: identify unknowns early, run spikes and POCs, set acceptance criteria, and keep projects from drifting.Document and hand off: produce lean but complete technical docs (architecture notes, API maps, data models) that allow smooth iteration after launch.What Strong Looks LikeShipped at least one product to revenue as a founder, CTO, or first engineer.Can make architecture calls under uncertainty without stalling for a perfect solution.Owns the full stack without hesitation: chooses databases, designs APIs, ships frontend, handles deployment.Integrates third-party services confidently: Stripe, auth providers, file storage, maps, email/SMS, and similar.Comfortable with PostgreSQL and cloud infrastructure (AWS, DigitalOcean, or Azure) and basic CI/CD.Preferred stack: Django, React.js, Next.js, React Native. Strong engineers on other stacks will be considered.Communicates clearly with non-technical clients: writes specs, explains tradeoffs, and runs structured meetings.Nice-to-HaveAI/LLM experience: prompting, retrieval, embeddings, model selection, vendor integrations.Mobile: React Native or Flutter.Prior consulting or agency experience.CompensationBase salary: $80,000 USD Total compensation: up to $135,000 for engineers consistently hitting their targets.Compensation is Chicago cost-of-living adjusted. Engineers who execute on their metrics land in the $110,000+ range.High-ownership environment. Chicago office. Real products. Real clients.Work AuthorizationWe do not offer visa sponsorship. Candidates must be US citizens or Green Card holders. Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis for exceptional candidates.