Vice President Forward Planner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

As VP of Forward Engineering you will lead Avathon's global organization of forward deployed AI engineers, solutions architects, and technical delivery leaders responsible for deploying AI into complex industrial environments at scale.

This role sits at the intersection of AI, distributed systems, and operational technology owning technical execution, customer outcomes, and field deployment strategy across Fortune 500 and strategic accounts. You will work directly with executive stakeholders to transform legacy operations into AI-native, continuously computing systems across supply chain, manufacturing, energy, aerospace, and critical infrastructure.

The ideal leader combines deep technical expertise, operational intensity, and executive presence, with the ability to scale high-performing deployment teams operating in mission-critical environments.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead Avathon's global Forward Engineering organization across customer deployments, implementation strategy, and technical solution delivery
• Own successful deployment, building customer ontology, and productionization of AI applications across industrial operations, supply chain systems, energy infrastructure, and logistics networks
• Lead cross-functional execution between Product, Engineering, Applied Science, GTM, and Customer Success teams
• Partner directly with executive stakeholders and customer leadership teams to define transformation roadmaps and operational AI strategies
• Drive deployment methodologies that scale repeatable implementation frameworks while maintaining flexibility for highly complex enterprise environments
• Establish operational excellence metrics tied to deployment velocity, production reliability, customer adoption, and business impact
• Guide the design and implementation of AI-native operational systems leveraging machine learning, optimization, simulation, digital twins, and computational knowledge graphs
• Translate field learnings and customer feedback into platform evolution and product roadmap influence
• Build scalable hiring, onboarding, mentorship, and leadership development programs for Forward Engineering teams
• Operate as an executive escalation point for high-priority customer deployments and strategic accounts
• Partner with Sales and GTM leadership on technical strategy, executive presentations, solution architecture, and complex enterprise pursuits
• Drive technical and organizational standards for deploying secure, resilient, production-grade AI systems in mission-critical environments

What We're Looking For

• 12+ years of experience in software engineering, AI/ML systems, enterprise architecture, customer engineering, or technical delivery leadership
• 5+ years leading large-scale customer-facing engineering or forward deployed engineering organizations
• Strong experience deploying AI/ML applications into production enterprise environments
• Deep understanding of distributed systems, cloud platforms, data infrastructure, and scalable AI architectures
• Experience operating in complex operational domains including manufacturing, energy, logistics, transportation, supply chain, industrial systems, or defense
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional organizations spanning engineering, product, deployment, and GTM functions
• Strong executive communication skills with experience engaging C-level customer stakeholders
• Experience scaling technical organizations in high-growth startup or enterprise SaaS environments
• Strong understanding of customer implementation lifecycle, enterprise architecture, and operational transformation programs
• Ability to operate with high ownership, urgency, and autonomy in rapidly evolving environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with industrial AI, operational technology (OT), digital twins, optimization systems, or autonomous operations
• Background in Applied AI, Machine Learning, Data Platforms, or Generative AI systems
• Familiarity with cloud-native architectures across AWS, Azure, or GCP
• Experience supporting large-scale enterprise or government deployments
• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, AI/ML, Operations Research, or related technical discipline
• US Citizenship Required

Why Avathon

• Build AI systems that directly impact critical global infrastructure
• Operate at the forefront of Industrial AI and autonomous operations
• Join a fast-scaling company solving technically complex, real-world problems
• Work alongside world-class engineers, researchers, and operators
• Competitive compensation, equity, and executive growth opportunity
• Opportunity to define and scale an entirely new category of operational AI deployment

Benefits & Perks

What are the benefits and perks at Avathon? Below are some highlights we offer to our U.S. full-time employees -- we'd love to connect and share more!

• Evolving culture with the opportunity to drive new ideas and technology
• Stock Option Grants
• Medical Coverage and Parental Leave Plans
• 401k with Employer Match
• Monthly Technology Allowance
• Newly renovated office space located near Pleasanton, CA -- including fully stocked beverage and snack areas

Contract and temporary roles are not eligible for the above benefits.

Compensation

Pay Range: $240k - $300k base salary annually. Pay for this position is based on a number of factors including geographic location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Location: This role is not remote. Candidates must be based in the Bay Area, CA and are expected to report to our Avathon Pleasanton office 5 days a week.