Forward Deployed Engineer

Forward Deployed Engineer | Physical AI / Computer VisionWe're partnering with a well-capitalized, high-growth physical AI company serving some of the world's largest manufacturing, logistics, and industrial companies to find Forward Deployed Engineers to join their field team.This is a 0-to-1 role: you'll embed directly with strategic customers, taking validated computer vision proof-of-concepts to production on the factory floor. You'll own the messy realities of real-world deployment - lighting variability, camera calibration, model drift, edge hardware constraints - and be the bridge between what customers say they need and what they actually need.What you'll doEmbed on-site with customers (25-50% travel) to drive the critical POC-to-production phaseBuild data pipelines, configure edge devices, and deploy CV models in real physical environments (factories, warehouses, construction sites)Feed field insights back to Product and EngineeringWrite production-grade Python and handle systems-level work (Docker, Kubernetes, networking, Linux)Document deployment architectures and runbooks, then hand off to Implementation EngineersWhat we're looking for1-8 years in forward deployed, field, solutions architect, or customer-facing software engineering rolesTrack record owning a technical deployment end-to-end - from 0-to-1 build through adoption and post-deployment maintenanceStrong Python proficiency and systems-level experienceAutomation, mechanical, or industrial engineering background with strong software skills is a plusBS in CS, Engineering, or related technical fieldComfortable communicating and building trust with executives, engineers, and floor operatorsBackground in manufacturing, logistics, automotive, or robotics (nice to have), familiarity with MLOps/CV tooling (nice to have)Midwest location (Chicago, Indianapolis) strongly preferredCompensation & benefits$144K-$200K base ($180K-$250K OTE, uncapped variable) plus equity, strong health benefits, travel and productivity stipends, and remote-first flexibility with relocation support.