Forward Deployed Engineer

Forward Deployed Engineer

Location: Hybrid (Client Sites / Remote)

Reporting To: Head of Delivery & Engineering

Employment Type: Full-Time

About SouthBank IT

SouthBank IT helps organisations modernise technology, improve service delivery, and accelerate digital transformation through cloud, data, AI, cyber security, and systems integration solutions. We work closely with our clients to solve real-world operational challenges, delivering practical outcomes through hands-on engineering and expert consultancy.

As we continue to grow, we are seeking a highly capable Forward Deployed Solutions Engineer to work directly with customers, embedding within their teams to understand business challenges and rapidly design, build, and deploy innovative technology solutions.

The Role

A Forward Deployed Solutions Engineer acts as the technical interface between SouthBank IT and its customers. This is a unique role that combines software engineering, cloud architecture, systems integration, and consulting expertise.

You will work closely with client stakeholders to understand operational problems, design practical solutions, develop working prototypes, and lead implementations through to production. You will be equally comfortable discussing strategy with senior leaders, designing cloud architectures, writing code, and troubleshooting technical issues.

Unlike traditional consultants who focus primarily on recommendations, our Forward Deployed Solutions Engineers build and deliver solutions hands-on, remaining closely involved throughout the entire transformation journey.

Key Responsibilities

Customer Engagement & Discovery

• Work directly with customer stakeholders to understand business objectives, operational processes, and technical challenges.
• Facilitate workshops, discovery sessions, and technical assessments.
• Translate business requirements into practical technical solutions.
• Act as a trusted technical advisor throughout project delivery.
• Build strong relationships with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Solution Architecture & Design

• Design secure, scalable, and maintainable technology solutions.
• Develop integration strategies across legacy and modern platforms.
• Create solution architectures, technical designs, and implementation plans.
• Identify opportunities to improve customer outcomes through automation, cloud adoption, AI, and modernisation initiatives.
• Ensure solutions align with security, compliance, and governance requirements.

Engineering & Development

• Develop cloud-native applications, integrations, and APIs.
• Build automation workflows and business process solutions.
• Create data transformation, migration, and reporting capabilities.
• Rapidly prototype solutions to validate requirements and demonstrate value.
• Contribute reusable components, frameworks, and accelerators that improve future delivery.

Delivery & Implementation

• Lead technical delivery from proof-of-concept through to production deployment.
• Configure and optimise Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 environments.
• Support testing, user acceptance, rollout, and adoption activities.
• Troubleshoot complex technical and integration issues.
• Ensure solutions are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned to customer expectations.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities for AI, automation, and data-driven innovation.
• Capture lessons learned and contribute to SouthBank IT best practices.
• Provide feedback into service offerings, delivery methodologies, and technical standards.
• Support pre-sales activities, demonstrations, and technical workshops where required.

Skills & Experience

Essential Technical Skills

• Strong software engineering or solutions engineering background.
• Experience developing with:
• Python
• JavaScript / TypeScript
• SQL
• REST APIs
• Experience with Microsoft Azure cloud services.
• Experience integrating enterprise applications and systems.
• Understanding of DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and infrastructure automation.
• Knowledge of security, identity, and access management principles.
• Experience working with databases, data integration, and reporting platforms.

Customer-Facing Skills

• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Experience gathering, documenting, and validating requirements.
• Confidence engaging with senior business and technical stakeholders.

Problem Solving & Delivery

• Strong analytical and systems-thinking capabilities.
• Comfortable working in ambiguous and rapidly changing environments.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on technical delivery.
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and capable of working independently.

Desirable Experience

• Microsoft 365 and Power Platform solutions.
• AI and Machine Learning implementations.
• Data engineering, analytics, and business intelligence platforms.
• Cyber security and compliance projects.
• Enterprise application modernisation and cloud migration programmes.
• Experience within regulated sectors such as government, healthcare, justice, housing, education, or financial services.
• Technical consulting, professional services, or solutions architecture experience.
• Microsoft certifications in Azure, Security, Data, or AI technologies.

Personal Attributes

We are looking for someone who is:

• Customer-focused and outcome-driven.
• Curious, adaptable, and eager to learn.
• Comfortable operating across business and technical domains.
• Entrepreneurial and proactive in identifying opportunities.
• Collaborative and team-oriented.
• Passionate about solving real-world operational challenges through technology.

Success in the First 12 Months

A successful candidate will:

• Deliver multiple customer solutions from concept to production.
• Build trusted relationships with key client stakeholders.
• Reduce delivery times through reusable automation and integration patterns.
• Contribute innovative ideas that improve customer outcomes and SouthBank IT services.
• Help customers realise measurable value from their digital transformation initiatives.
• Become recognised as a trusted technical advisor across customer engagements.

Why Join SouthBank IT?

• Work on meaningful digital transformation projects that deliver real-world impact.
• Collaborate with experienced consultants, architects, and engineers.
• Gain exposure to cloud, AI, cyber security, and modern application technologies.
• Enjoy significant autonomy and opportunities for professional growth.
• Help shape the future of SouthBank IT's technical delivery capability.

If you thrive at the intersection of technology, consulting, and customer engagement, we'd love to hear from you.