Scope

Forward deployed engineering is how a complex AI product survives first contact with a customer. The leader owns that motion: who goes on site, what they are allowed to customize, and what comes back into the product so the next customer does not need the same heroics.

Required experience

Has led engineers in front of customers, in solutions, professional services, or a forward-deployed group. Has turned a one-off fix into a product change. Can work with a revenue leader without becoming a body shop.

Interview focus

Ask what they refused to customize, how a field fix became a roadmap item, and how they kept the team from being staff augmentation.

Sample job description

Build the forward-deployed team. Put engineers with design partners. Set the line between customer-specific work and the core product. Report what the field is learning to the Chief AI Officer or the CRO.