Forward Deployed Engineer

Croutch & Associates partners with high-growth startups and Fortune 500 organizations to build elite engineering teams that help companies become AI-native. We work alongside innovative organizations to solve complex technical challenges, delivering world-class software engineers who build production-ready AI applications, modern software platforms, and scalable systems that create measurable business impact. As a boutique recruiting and talent solutions firm, Croutch & Associates specializes in connecting exceptional engineering talent with organizations building the next generation of AI-powered products. We work with venture-backed startups, enterprise organizations, and emerging technology companies across artificial intelligence, machine learning, enterprise software, fintech, healthcare, robotics, cybersecurity, and cloud infrastructure. Our approach emphasizes technical excellence, ownership, and execution. We seek engineers who thrive in fast-moving environments, take initiative, and consistently deliver production-quality solutions that solve real business problems. About the Role Croutch & Associates is seeking a Forward Deployed Engineer to work directly with enterprise clients, designing and delivering modern web applications and AI-powered solutions. Engineers work closely with business stakeholders, technical leaders, and product teams to understand complex problems, architect scalable solutions, and deliver software that creates immediate value. This is a highly autonomous, client-facing engineering role where you'll own projects from initial discovery through production deployment. Success is measured by building reliable, maintainable systems that continue delivering value long after implementation. This role is ideal for engineers who enjoy solving ambiguous problems, communicating directly with clients, and shipping production software quickly without sacrificing quality. While the environment is fast-paced, the focus remains on delivering meaningful business outcomes through exceptional engineering. Croutch & Associates also welcomes applications from established engineering teams of two to five professionals who have previously worked together and are interested in joining as a group. What You’ll Own Design, build, and maintain modern web applications and AI-powered software solutions for enterprise clients. Lead technical initiatives from architecture and system design through production deployment. Develop scalable, maintainable software that solves real business problems. Work independently in fast-moving, high-ownership environments with minimal oversight. Collaborate directly with executives, product leaders, and engineering teams to translate business requirements into technical solutions. Present technical architecture, implementation plans, and engineering recommendations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Travel to client locations approximately once per month when required for project collaboration and stakeholder engagement. Requirements Must-Have 3+ years of professional software engineering experience (ideal range: 3-8 years). Proven experience designing, developing, and maintaining modern web applications or AI-powered software solutions. Experience leading technical initiatives as a Tech Lead, Team Lead, Founding Engineer, or in another high-ownership engineering role. Strong ability to work independently in ambiguous, rapidly changing environments. Client-facing or customer-facing experience, with the ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences. Experience building and deploying production-quality software using modern development practices. Nice-to-Have Experience as a startup founder, CTO, or early engineering leader. Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline. Experience working at an early-stage AI startup or software company. Familiarity with AI-assisted development tools and agentic coding workflows. Experience building AI agents, LLM applications, automation platforms, or intelligent software systems. Background working with cloud-native architectures and modern DevOps practices. Croutch & Associates offers a highly competitive compensation package designed to reward both technical excellence and client impact. Base Salary: Starting at $180,000 , depending on experience. Performance Bonus: Uncapped quarterly performance bonus tied to project delivery, technical impact, and client success. Typical Bonus Range: High-performing engineers commonly earn an additional $10,000-$15,000 per quarter , with exceptional performers eligible for significantly higher earnings based on measurable contributions. Additional Performance Incentives: Engineers may also be eligible for discretionary performance bonuses, career advancement opportunities, and leadership growth as they demonstrate continued technical excellence and client success. #J-18808-Ljbffr Croutch & Associates