Forward Deployed Engineer ( AI)

Role Title

Principal Forward Deployed Engineer – AI & M&A

Location

London, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

Employment Type

Permanent

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) to partner closely with executive stakeholders, deal teams, and client leadership to deliver high‐impact AI‐driven solutions in Mergers & Acquisitions and complex enterprise transformation contexts.

This role is ideal for a senior technologist with 20+ years of experience, combining deep hands‐on engineering capability with strategic advisory skills. You will sit at the intersection of AI, data, product, and business, translating ambiguous commercial objectives into deployable, production‐grade solutions that directly support transaction strategy, value creation, and post‐merger integration.

Key Responsibilities

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a trusted technical advisor to C‐suite, deal teams, and senior enterprise stakeholders during pre‐deal, due diligence, and post‐merger integration phases
• Partner with investment teams, corporate development, and strategy functions to shape AI‐led M&A use cases
• Translate complex business and transaction challenges into concrete technical and architectural solutions

Forward Deployment & Solution Delivery

• Lead forward deployment of AI, data, and analytics solutions directly within client environments
• Design and implement end‐to‐end solutions covering data ingestion, modeling, orchestration, and deployment
• Rapidly prototype, iterate, and productionise AI‐enabled workflows under tight deal timelines
• Own solution quality from proof‐of‐concept through to live production and operational handover

AI & Advanced Analytics

• Apply machine learning, generative AI, and advanced analytics to support M&A use cases such as:
• Commercial and operational due diligence
• Synergy identification and value leakage analysis
• Technology landscape rationalisation
• Post‐merger performance monitoring and integration tracking
• Debug, tune, and explain AI model behaviour to both technical and non‐technical audiences

Architecture & Technical Leadership

• Provide hands‐on technical leadership across architecture, engineering standards, and best practices
• Guide teams on scalable, secure, and compliant system design
• Influence platform, tooling, and data strategy decisions at an enterprise level
• Mentor senior engineers and act as a role model for engineering excellence

Required Experience & Skills

Essential

• 20+ years’ experience in technology, including senior engineering, architectural, or technical leadership roles
• Proven experience working as a Forward Deployed Engineer, Principal Engineer, Solutions Architect, or similar client‐facing technical role
• Strong track record delivering AI‐driven solutions in real‐world, production environments
• Demonstrated experience supporting M&A, private equity, corporate development, or large‐scale transformation initiatives
• Deep hands‐on expertise with:
• Python and modern data/AI engineering stacks
• Data pipelines, distributed systems, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
• Machine learning and/or Generative AI workflows
• Ability to operate effectively in highly ambiguous, fast‐moving environments with senior stakeholders

Commercial & Advisory Skills

• Strong understanding of how technology enables value creation in M&A contexts
• Experience communicating technical trade‐offs, risks, and ROI to executive and investment audiences
• Comfortable balancing speed, quality, and pragmatism under deal pressure

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in consulting, private equity–backed environments, or high‐growth technology companies
• Background in data‐intensive platforms, AI products, or decision intelligence systems
• Exposure to regulated industries (e.g. financial services, insurance, healthcare)
• Prior experience leading multidisciplinary teams across engineering, data science, and product

What We Offer

• A senior, high‐impact role operating at the intersection of technology, AI, and corporate strategy
• Opportunity to influence mission‐critical M&A decisions using cutting‐edge AI and data solutions
• Competitive compensation and benefits package
• Long‐term career growth in a technically ambitious, client‐focused environment
• London‐based role with flexible working arrangements