Forward Deployed Engineer

About the role

At Sia’s AI & Data Business Unit, the Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) bridges the gap between generative AI prototypes and real-world impact. You’ll act as both field engineer and AI adoption champion, embedding solutions into clients’ workflows, driving adoption, and ensuring measurable value. This role sits at the intersection of engineering and change management, translating complex technical concepts into business outcomes while iterating quickly with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Analyze clients’ business needs and translate them into deployable AI solutions.
• Design and implement LLM-based systems: autonomous agents, RAG pipelines, workflow automation, and conversational interfaces.
• Integrate solutions into clients’ existing environments (APIs, databases, business tools).
• Support teams in adopting deployed tools through evangelization, training, and continuous iteration.
• Refine solutions in production based on stakeholder feedback to maximize impact.
• Serve as the bridge between technical teams and business decision-makers, translating complexity into perceived value.

Internal Contributions

• Contribute to research efforts on generative AI, agents, and automation.
• Help develop the firm’s offerings: training, working groups, internal and external materials.
• Contribute to the publication strategy: sector blogs, studies, press engagements.
• Support business development by helping define client needs and participating in commercial activities.

Requirements

• Hold an engineering degree or equivalent high-level training in computer science, information processing, or a related field.
• Have hands-on experience with LLMs in production: advanced prompting, RAG, fine-tuning, agent orchestration.
• Are proficient in Python and applied AI frameworks (LangChain, LlamaIndex, OpenAI SDK, Anthropic SDK, etc.).
• Are comfortable with API integration and connecting heterogeneous systems.
• Can deploy and operate solutions in a cloud environment (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• Have a strong sense of client context—identifying what’s truly useful, prioritizing, and delivering value quickly.
• Can bring non-technical teams along on a transformation through teaching ability, active listening, and the ability to simplify without oversimplifying.
• Want to take on high-value responsibilities quickly within a dynamic, fast-growing AI practice.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Company-paid life and AD&D insurance; voluntary supplemental insurance and EAP.
• 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting; HSA and FSA options.
• College savings and student loan repayment programs.
• Paid parental leave; generous PTO, nine company holidays, and one floating holiday.
• Cell phone stipend; well-being and professional development programs.

Pay

Base Salary: $117,000–$132,000. Actual compensation within this range will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by applicable law.

Schedule

Sia values in-person collaboration. When serving clients, consultants may be required to work onsite at a client location based on engagement needs. Between client engagements, consultants are expected to work from a Sia office or approved coworking location at least three days per week. Candidates should reside within a reasonable commuting distance of a Sia office or approved coworking location.