Forward Deployed Engineer - Los Angeles

🚀 Founding Forward Deployed Engineer | Los Angeles (Hybrid) | Up to $250,000 + Equity 🚀My client, a very well-funded private AI company with strong runway, is building the missing layer of enterprise AI: a platform that ingests live data from complex physical operations, understands what actually matters, and drives decisions and workflows across the people responsible for the outcome. While most AI companies chase digital industries, they're deliberately going after the sectors that extract, move and build the physical world, where the data is messy, decisions are expensive and the consequences are real.They're already live in production with a major enterprise operator across multiple international sites, real commercial proof, not a demo! 🏅As their founding FDE, you'll own the technical path from discovery through deployment: embedding with customer teams on site, turning ambiguous operational problems into clear solution designs, integrating customer systems and data (APIs, databases, ERP platforms, historians, OT), configuring and deploying the platform, and validating it works under real operating conditions. You'll also shape the product itself, translating field evidence into requirements engineering acts on, and building the playbooks that make every future deployment faster. You'll work directly with the founders and ship things that matter quickly.🛠️ What we need to see:4+ years in software, data engineering, systems integration or demanding client-facing technical workExperience leading ambiguous customer-facing work from discovery through to a deployed outcomeStrong CS fundamentals: systems, data models, APIs, infrastructure, security, trade-offsHands-on with SQL, Python, APIs and cloud servicesAn AI-native working style, using modern AI tools fluently to move faster without losing judgementHigh ownership and comfort with incomplete information and unfamiliar environmentsBonus, not required: ERP, historian or operational systems (SAP, PI, Wonderware), enterprise security and infrastructure, exposure to heavy-asset industries, French fluency.If you want the rare combination of genuine field impact, founding-stage ownership and a product with live commercial proof, this is it. Message me directly or apply, company name shared on the first call, all conversations strictly confidential.Note: Hybrid with regular in-person time in LA, plus roughly monthly international travel to operational sites (30%+ overall, including industrial and remote locations). US work authorisation required, no sponsorship available.