Forward Deployed Engineer

Forward Deployed Engineera lliant is building an engineering-led delivery model for its AI practice, and we're looking for a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) to embed directly with our clients: running technical discovery, architecting solutions, writing code, and owning the ROI case alongside the build.Unlike an FDE at a product company, you will not be adapting a fixed platform to a customer's use case. You will combine a lliant's reusable AI accelerators, reference architectures, agent templates, prompt libraries, and industry playbooks into solutions built for each client's environment. The goal is to adapt proven IP quickly and return what you learn to the shared library, so the next engagement moves faster and delivers at higher quality.This is a hands-on role in a practice that's intentionally still being shaped. You are part software developer, part value-engineer, part product thinker; and your success is measured as much by the ROI and impact recognized by a client as by the code you ship. Technologists here need to build real commercial fluency and stakeholder range; delivery, BA, and PM professionals need to build hands-on skills in AI-assisted development, solution design, and rapid prototyping. Wherever you start, you're expected to grow across that full spectrum. You'll work alongside PMs, solution architects, software engineers, and data scientists in a model built for close collaboration rather than functional silos.As a premier consulting and technology firm, a lliant is focused on providing solutions to help businesses transform and thrive, while serving as their ongoing growth partner.What You'll DoDiagnose before you build. Embed with client stakeholders to understand their technical environment, workflows, and business goals, as well as quantify the value case (cost savings, cycle-time reduction, revenue impact) before a line of code gets written.Build from the accelerator library, not from scratch. Configure and extend a lliant's reusable agent patterns, reference architectures, and prompt libraries into AI-driven integrations and agentic workflows tailored to each client; favoring speed-to-value over bespoke engineering.Own delivery outcomes. Lead technical onboarding and deployment for enterprise engagements, delivering on time, on budget, and against a measurable ROI target, in partnership with Solution Architects, Tech Leads, and Project Managers.Make the ROI story defensible. Instrument solutions and report on business outcomes so every engagement produces a value narrative the client's own leadership can champion internally, reflecting the difference between a satisfied client and a Raving Fan.Create the internal-to-external learning loop. Work with a lliant's internal AI Center of Excellence to productionize successful internal agents, evaluation methods, reference architectures, and delivery frameworks for external clients. Feed patterns, client demand, and field results back into the shared roadmap so each engagement improves the next.Troubleshoot under pressure. Resolve complex technical issues in live client environments, often on compressed timelines.Be the internal technical champion. Influence solution design, accelerator roadmap, and where the practice invests in new reusable capability.Help expand the client relationship. Support technical discovery, demos, and rapid proof-of-value builds that establish the case for broader strategic engagements. Translate an initial use case into a credible roadmap, architecture, and value thesis that practice leadership can commercialize.Travel to client sites as needed (up to 30–50%, depending on engagement).What You'll BringBachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Data Science, or related field required.5+ years in software engineering, solutions consulting, or technical delivery, with hands-on coding ability in Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, Java, or Go preferred.Experience working directly with enterprise clients in a technical or consultative capacity; comfortable being the person accountable for both the build and the business case.Working knowledge of REST APIs, cloud infrastructure (Azure preferred), and modern software architecture.Hands-on experience with AI-assisted development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Claude Code) and genuine depth in LLM/agent development and rapid prototyping.Comfort operating in a scaling services environment without a fixed product roadmap, where the "platform" is a growing library of accelerators you help shape, not a finished system you configure.Excellent communication skills with the ability to move fluidly between engineering detail and executive-level ROI framing, and to manage stakeholders across both conversations.Self-starter mentality with the ability to operate independently in ambiguous, fast-moving environments.Receptiveness to performance feedback within a team environment is essential.Travel to client sites as needed (up to 30–50%, depending on engagement).Preferred candidate will reside or relocate to Houston.You do not need to arrive equally strong across engineering, consulting, and value realization.You do need demonstrated depth in at least one of those areas, working fluency in the others, and the ability to grow quickly across the full FDE model.Candidates from project, business, or process backgrounds with demonstrated technical fluency and a track record of delivery are encouraged to apply.Nice To HavePrior experience in AI/ML delivery, agentic system design, or applied data science.Experience with Microsoft Azure AI, Copilot, or Power Platform.Domain exposure to tax/professional services, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, or private equity.Background as a BA, PM, or solutions consultant who has grown into hands-on technical delivery, or vice versa.Experience supporting presales or proof-of-concept work in a consulting or professional services environment.Our North Stara lliant's FDEs own delivery in partnership with Solution Architects, Tech Leads, and Project Managers while being on time, on budget, and always in service of a lliant's company-wide Raving Fan Mission: which is that every client interaction should be an A+++ + experience they actively refer to others, rather than a box they check as "satisfied." For an FDE, that means the ROI case is as real as the code, and the accelerator you build today is designed to make the next client's outcome even better.What We Bringa lliant offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package including 100% employer paid medical/dental premiums for single coverage for certain options, 401(k) matching, PTO, company provided life insurance and disability, onsite gym and group exercise classes, paid covered parking, and more!Do Work That Matters. a lliant