Forward Deployed AI Engineer (Multiple Levels)

Do you enjoy solving complex problems, building production software, and working directly with clients?
We're looking for Forward Deployed AI Engineers to join our growing team.
This is not a traditional engineering role.
You'll combine deep technical expertise with customer engagement, serving as both a builder and trusted advisor as you help organizations transform business challenges into AI-powered solutions.
Working side-by-side with client stakeholders, engineers, data scientists, and business leaders, you'll take solutions from concept to production and see firsthand how your work creates impact. One week may involve collaborating onsite with a client to understand a business challenge; the next may involve building applications, deploying AI workflows, or launching production systems that support critical decisions. This role includes approximately 30% travel, providing opportunities to work directly with clients, build relationships, and see firsthand how your solutions drive business impact.
What You'll Do
Partner directly with clients to understand complex business challenges and identify opportunities where AI can create measurable impact.
Design, build, and deploy production-grade applications using AI, machine learning, cloud technologies, APIs, and modern software engineering practices.
Develop solutions utilizing large language models (LLMs), retrieval systems, agents, workflow automation, and advanced analytics.
Lead projects through the full lifecycle, from discovery and prototyping to deployment, adoption, and ongoing optimization.
Collaborate with client teams, product leaders, engineers, and data scientists to deliver scalable and impactful solutions.
Translate ambiguous problems into actionable plans and deliver results in fast-moving environments.
Measure solution performance, reliability, and user adoption, continuously improving the systems you build.
Contribute to the evolution of NIQ's AI capabilities by sharing learnings, creating reusable frameworks, and influencing future product direction.
Travel to client locations as needed to support discovery, implementation, and strategic engagements.
Why You'll Love This Role
Build AI solutions that are deployed in production and used by real customers.
Work directly with some of the world's largest retailers and consumer brands.
Tackle complex business challenges where no predefined solution exists.
Join a founding team helping define the future of AI at NIQ.
Operate with the autonomy and ownership of a startup environment while benefiting from the scale and resources of a global leader.
Influence not only the solutions you build, but also the products, processes, and capabilities that shape the future of the business.
Work at the intersection of AI, software engineering, and customer engagement, seeing firsthand how your solutions affect real business decisions.
We're hiring across multiple levels and welcome candidates with a range of experience. Responsibilities and scope will align to your background, with opportunities for more experienced candidates to lead complex deployments, influence technical strategy, mentor team members, and help shape the future of the Forward Deployed Engineering organization.
What We're Looking For
3+ years of experience in software engineering, AI engineering, solutions engineering, deployment engineering, technical consulting, or a related field. Candidates with additional experience may be considered for senior or lead-level opportunities.
Proven ability to build and deliver production systems from requirements gathering through implementation and adoption.
Strong software engineering skills with experience building production systems in Python, Java, Go, TypeScript, or similar languages, along with experience working with APIs, SQL, cloud platforms, data pipelines, and modern application architectures.
Experience building or deploying AI, machine learning, generative AI, or LLM-based applications in production environments.
Ability to translate ambiguous problems into practical, scalable technical solutions.
Strong systems thinking and an understanding of reliability, security, performance, and maintainability considerations.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with technical teams, business stakeholders, and clients.
Experience collaborating directly with customers, gathering requirements, and building trusted relationships.
Ability to lead technical discussions, influence decisions, and drive projects forward in fast-paced environments.
Comfortable working in highly collaborative, entrepreneurial environments with a strong sense of ownership.
Ability and willingness to travel approximately 30% to client locations for discovery, workshops, implementation support, and strategic collaboration.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working in a Forward Deployed Engineer, Solutions Engineer, Technical Consultant, Customer Engineer, or similar client-facing engineering role.
Experience building and deploying applications in cloud environments such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
Experience working in fast-growing technology companies, startup environments, or highly entrepreneurial teams.
Experience supporting enterprise clients and leading complex technical engagements.
Familiarity with retail, consumer packaged goods (CPG), analytics, or data-driven decision-making environments.

Employment type
Full-time

Work arrangement
Yes