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Remote Forward Deployed Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

LTS

Senior Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE)

$107K - $146K/yr

Remote (U.S.) Other Considerations: U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident Required with the ability to ... This is a highly customer-facing role that combines software engineering, AI/ML expertise ...

LTS

Lead Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE)

$104K - $138K/yr

Remote (U.S.) Other Considerations: U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident required LTS is seeking a ... This highly customer-facing role combines AI engineering, software architecture, solution delivery ...

Ramp

Software Engineer, AI Forward Deployed

New York, NY · Remote

$189K - $330K/yr

About the Role As an AI Forward Deployed Engineer, you will build internal and external agents to ... What You'll Do * Deliver software end to end that meet the needs of our largest customers ...

Instacart

Forward Deployed Engineer

About You Minimum Qualifications * 10+ years of software engineering experience with a demonstrated ... This role is remote and the base pay range for a successful candidate is dependent on their ...

Defense Unicorns

Forward Deployed AI Engineer

$148K - $201K/yr

Experience deploying or operating software in government, defense, or similarly regulated ... Remote - USA $148,750-$201,250 USD Who We Are Defense Unicorns delivers mission value by ...

GenLogs

Forward Deployed Engineer

GenLogs is a hardware, software, and data company building the next generation of Truck ... You thrive in a remote environment, leveraging tools and practices to stay connected and deliver ...

4MindsAI Inc.

Forward Deployed Engineer

Dallas, TX · On-site +1

$190K - $225K/yr

... software engineering * Strong experience with AI/LLM pipelines and open-source models including ... Remote Position with travel to Customer Sites 50% of the time * Access to local co-working space

4MindsAI Inc.

Forward Deployed Engineer

Dallas, TX · On-site +1

$190K - $225K/yr

... software engineering * Strong experience with AI/LLM pipelines and open-source models including ... Remote Position with travel to Customer Sites 50% of the time * Access to local co-working space

NTT DATA Services

Forward-Deployed Engineer (FDE)

Plano, TX · On-site +1

$158K - $367K/yr

Basic Qualifications: - 12+ years of experience in software engineering, AI engineering, data ... The starting pay range for this remote role is $158,962.00-$367,969.00. This range reflects the ...

VAST Data

Forward Deployed Engineer

We are building the enterprise software infrastructure to capture, catalog, refine, enrich, and ... About the Role As a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE), you are a core member of our engineering team ...

NTT DATA Services

Forward-Deployed Engineer (FDE)

Plano, TX · On-site +1

$158K - $367K/yr

Basic Qualifications: - 12+ years of experience in software engineering, AI engineering, data ... The starting pay range for this remote role is $158,962.00-$367,969.00. This range reflects the ...

Kyndryl

$113K - $136K/yr

Balance rapid software delivery and field prototyping with long-term platform stability, reducing ... As a Forward Deployed Engineer, you thrive in dynamic, fast-moving environments and are highly ...

Planet

Senior Forward Deployed Engineer

OR · Remote

$104K - $143K/yr

... software solutions. You will have a high degree of autonomy to design and build what is needed ... This is a full-time, remote position based in the United States. If located near an office, you are ...

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Remote Forward Deployed Software Engineer information

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$63.5K

$147.5K

$205.5K

How much do remote forward deployed software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for remote forward deployed software engineer in the United States is $147,524.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,000.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Remote Forward Deployed Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To excel as a Remote Forward Deployed Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills, experience in software deployment, and a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with cloud platforms, version control systems like Git, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) tools is typically required. Exceptional problem-solving, communication, and self-management skills help you collaborate with clients and distributed teams effectively. These abilities ensure you can deliver tailored technical solutions efficiently and adapt to the unique challenges of remote and client-facing environments.

What is a Remote Forward Deployed Software Engineer?

A Remote Forward Deployed Software Engineer is a software engineer who works offsite (remotely) and is embedded directly with a client or customer team to help implement, customize, and integrate technical solutions. They often serve as both technical experts and liaisons, working closely with clients to understand their needs and deliver tailored software products. Their role typically involves travel or virtual collaboration with client teams, rapid problem-solving, and adapting existing software to unique business requirements. This position requires strong communication skills, technical proficiency, and the ability to work independently from a remote location.

How does a Remote Forward Deployed Software Engineer typically collaborate with client teams and internal stakeholders?

As a Remote Forward Deployed Software Engineer, you'll work closely with client teams to understand their unique technical needs and integrate solutions directly into their environments. Collaboration often happens through regular video calls, shared documentation, and agile project management tools. You'll also coordinate with internal engineering, product, and support teams to ensure that client requirements are met while maintaining high code quality. Building strong communication channels is key to success in this role, as you'll often act as the primary technical liaison between your company and the client.

What is the difference between Remote Forward Deployed Software Engineer vs Remote Software Engineer?

AspectRemote Forward Deployed Software EngineerRemote Software Engineer
FocusDirectly interacts with clients and deploys solutions on-site or close to the customerDevelops software primarily in a remote environment without direct client deployment responsibilities
Work EnvironmentHybrid or on-site with client engagementFully remote, often within a development team
ResponsibilitiesCustomizing, deploying, and maintaining solutions at client locationsDesigning, coding, and testing software applications
Skills & CertificationsStrong communication, deployment, and client-facing skills; relevant certifications varyProgramming, software development, and possibly cloud certifications

The main difference is that Remote Forward Deployed Software Engineers work closely with clients, deploying solutions on-site or near the customer, while Remote Software Engineers focus on developing software remotely without direct deployment duties. Both roles require technical expertise, but their work environments and responsibilities differ significantly.

More about Remote Forward Deployed Software Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Remote Forward Deployed Software Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Remote Forward Deployed Software Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Forward Deployed Software Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Forward Deployed Software Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Remote Forward Deployed Software Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Remote Forward Deployed Software Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Remote Forward Deployed Software Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Remote Forward Deployed Software Engineer jobs are:
Remote Forward Deployed Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Remote Forward Deployed Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,524 per year, or $70.9 per hour.
Principal Forward Deployed Engineer

Principal Forward Deployed Engineer

CData Software, Inc.

Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

About CData Software, Inc.
CData is the data layer between AI and ROI-delivering the connectivity, context, and control that make enterprise AI more accurate. One platform for live access and data replication across 350+ sources, semantic intelligence that ensures context-aware responses, and built-in governance for every AI-to-data interaction. Powering AI and analytics workloads for Anthropic, Databricks, Microsoft, Google, Palantir, and more than 10,000 customers worldwide.
Behind that impact is a global team of passionate problem-solvers, engineers, and innovators who are redefining what's possible in data connectivity.
Headquartered in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, CData has over 500 team members, with offices in North America, Europe, and Asia. We take pride not just in what we build, but in how we build it: together, with curiosity, creativity, and a shared drive to push boundaries.
Principal Forward Deployed Engineer
Job Summary
CData is the data layer behind enterprise AI in production. As organizations move from experimentation to mission-critical agentic workflows, they need a partner who can connect AI to live, governed data across hundreds of systems - and an architect who can design that solution inside the customer's environment.
We're hiring a Principal Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE) to be the senior technical leader inside our most strategic enterprise engagements. You'll embed with customers to translate AI ambitions into production architectures on CData Connect AI, our managed MCP platform, and the broader CData stack - designing how data, AI, and governance fit together end-to-end. You'll be the technical voice the customer trusts and the field-level expert whose patterns shape what we build next in product.
This is a senior IC role with significant leverage. You won't manage people directly, but you'll mentor FDEs on each engagement, set the technical bar for the work, and partner closely with the FDE Director and Product leadership on the patterns that turn field wins into reusable IP.
Why This Role Matters:
The Principal Forward Deployed Engineering works directly with strategic customers and designs how AI, data and governance come together end-to-end to ensure deployments on Connect AI are scalable, secure, and deliver measurable outcomes. This role goes beyond solution design. By shaping architectures, defining best practices, and identifying product gaps in real time, the Architect directly influences the evolution of the Connect AI platform. Their work creates patterns that accelerate future deployments, strengthen technical credibility with enterprise buyers, and reduce time to value across engagements.
Location(s): Remote, U.S. (West Coast Preferred)
Key Duties & Responsibilities:
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Lead customer engagements
  • Run technical discovery workshops with customer architects, data leaders, and AI teams, mapping data sources, MCP Workspace scoping, and agent tooling requirements
  • Own the scoping for AI deployments with clear acceptance criteria around agent accuracy, data coverage, and governance
  • Translate complex AI + data concepts into executive-ready architecture proposals; defend trade-offs to CxO-level stakeholders

Architect AI data connectivity end-to-end
  • Design solutions across Connect AI's 350+ sources covering MCP server configuration, semantic context modeling, and governance integration
  • Architect agent orchestration using Connect AI Toolkits, defining which data, schemas, and actions each agent can access in production
  • Design governed access patterns for AI agents: RBAC, OAuth 2.1, semantic scoping, and audit-trail requirements
  • Define AI Best practices using agents, skills and LLMs to drive successful customer outcomes

Shape the evolution of the Connect AI platform through real-world deployments
  • Identify architectural and product gaps during live enterprise engagements and partner with Product and Engineering to define scalable solutions
  • Author technical specifications and implementation recommendations for Connect AI enhancements, including both features and core architectural improvements
  • Build reusable reference architectures, deployment patterns, and MCP blueprints that reduce implementation friction and accelerate future customer deployments
  • Translate recurring customer deployment challenges into scalable platform capabilities and architectural standards

Elevate the team
  • Mentor FDEs on AI integration patterns, semantic data modeling, and customer-facing technical delivery
  • Serve as the first level technical escalation point for customer engagements
  • Partner with Product, Engineering, Solutions Engineering, and Customer Success on architectural standards
  • Codify field patterns into shared assets, playbooks, templates, sample agents, that the broader team can reuse (SE, CS, support etc.)

Qualifications
Must Haves:
  • 7+ years as a Solutions Architect, Principal SE, Forward Deployed Engineer, or Technical Lead at a data platform, AI, or enterprise SaaS company
  • Has built and shipped production AI applications - not just prototypes
  • Worked on a SaaS Platform in an Architect Profile (or closely aligned role)
  • Customer-facing track record with senior technical buyers and architecture review boards
  • Strong AI/ML literacy: LLM capabilities, agentic architectures, RAG patterns, prompt engineering, and when to apply each
  • Able to define Multi-tenant Architectural patterns and security objectives
  • Hands-on enterprise data integration: SQL, ETL/CDC pipelines, API design, ODBC/JDBC, and multi-source connectivity
  • Able to design governed data access for AI agents - RBAC, OAuth 2.1, semantic scoping, and audit-trail requirements
  • Experience with modern data stacks (Snowflake, Databricks, Salesforce) and cloud-native deployment patterns
  • Ability to translate complex AI + data concepts into executive-ready architecture proposals
  • High agency; comfortable being the senior technical voice in the room with the customer
  • Experience mentoring junior engineers without requiring direct reporting relationships

Nice to Have:
  • Direct experience with the MCP protocol and AI agent frameworks (LangChain, CrewAI, Copilot Studio)
  • Prior experience as an FDE or in a similar embedded customer-facing engineering role

Travel Required: Up to 25%
US Only: The typical base pay range for this role across the US is $175,000-$240,000 per year. The actual range may vary depending on specific locations. In the areas we're looking to hire within Pacific Time Zone markets, including California, Washington, Oregon, and other West Coast locations, we expect the base pay range for this role to be $175,000-$240,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
Work Authorization: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. CData Software is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future.
Benefits & Perks / What you'll Get:
  • As part of our comprehensive benefits offerings, we provide Medical, Dental, and Vision plans with company-paid insurance premiums
  • Health Saving Account offering with company contribution to help mitigate increasing health costs
  • Flexible Savings Account and Dependent Care FSA
  • Generous 20-day PTO and 11 paid holidays
  • 401k with 100% company match up to 6% of contribution
  • A remote-friendly, high-trust culture that empowers collaboration, celebrates curiosity, and encourages innovation
  • Work closely with your manager to define professional development and learning opportunities that match your career goals

#LI_Remote

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