Founding Forward Deployed AI Engineer | Python / AI Agents / LLMs

Founding Forward Deployed AI Engineer | Python / AI Agents / LLMs | Must have Startup + FDE experienceLocation: San Francisco, CA (Onsite, 5 days p/w)Package: $185,000 - $255,000 + meaningful equityEligibility: Must hold existing US work authorization - US Residents Only (no visa sponsorship)🚨 Please only apply if you have commercial experience with ALL of the following 🚨:Python backend engineeringBuilding AI agents or LLM-powered tools in productionPrior experience as a Forward Deployed Engineer (customer-facing, shipping into enterprise environments)Startup / scale-up experienceOwning deployments end-to-end, from discovery through go-liveComfortable with some international travel to customer sites🚀 Join an early-stage, investor-backed AI company embedding intelligent agents directly into the operations of major enterprise organisations. This is deep-tech with real-world teeth: production AI that replaces manual, disconnected workflows and delivers measurable outcomes fast.You'll be the engineer in the field - shipping production code inside customer environments, scoping new workflows alongside their teams, and building the deployment motion from the ground up next to the founders. Prototypes become production systems here in a way most companies only talk about.Required Background3+ years of professional software engineering experienceProven delivery of systems running in real production environmentsGenuine full-stack / Python backend engineering caliber (not a pure solutions engineer or architect)Hands-on experience building AI agents or LLM-powered applicationsPrior forward-deployed / customer-facing engineering experience with real operatorsStartup or scale-up background with evidence of high personal ownershipℹ️ Very Important NotesThis role needs real hands-on engineering depth - not suitable for non-coders or scoping-only profilesYou must be comfortable owning multiple responsibilities in a fast-moving, startup-style environmentDirect customer interaction is core to the role, not a bolt-onHigh autonomy expected - you will scope, build, ship, and iterate quicklyMust-HavesStrong Python backend developmentExperience building AI agent architectures or LLM-powered applicationsProven ability to ship production code independently in enterprise customer environmentsStartup mindset with evidence of high personal achievementAbility to translate ambiguous customer problems into technical specs and ship themStrong communication and technical ownershipBonus ExperiencePrior forward-deployed role at a growth-stage startup or FDE-led businessExposure to complex, operationally demanding enterprise data environmentsPast technical founder or early founding engineerOpen-source contributions in AI or agent toolingComfortable reasoning about messy, real-world enterprise data (APIs, SQL, Python)Hands-On Experience WithPython (backend systems)AI agents and LLM-powered toolingBuilding and shipping production code inside customer environmentsIntegrating APIs, data sources, and enterprise systemsPrototype-to-production development across multiple domainsWhat You'll Be DoingDeployment & DeliveryBuild and ship production code in customer environments, extending the platform to real operational needsTake new deployments from discovery through go-live, owning the outcomes end-to-endDevelop reusable capabilities that make every future deployment fasterCustomer OwnershipOwn day-to-day relationships with enterprise customers and their technical teamsIdentify and scope new workflows and use cases inside existing accountsTravel on-site to customer teams, including internationally, to embed with users and earn the trust that makes agents stickFeedback LoopBring field learnings back to the core engineering teamTranslate real-world constraints into technical priorities and product directionHelp shape how the deployment motion scales as the company growsWhat They're Looking ForA proactive, technically sharp engineer with a scrappy, founder-like mindsetSomeone who thrives across multiple functions in a fast-moving environmentA builder who loves autonomy, ownership, and rapid iterationAn engineer who enjoys combining customer insight with deep technical executionIf you meet the above and want to build production AI agents that create real-world impact inside major enterprise operations, get in touch for a fast response.