Senior Forward Deployed AI Engineer (Remote Eligible in Germany)

You independently lead the most complex AI deployments Smartsheet undertakes. You own the full engagement lifecycle from technical discovery through production deployment through solutions org handoff. You architect multi-agent solutions, design client-personalized MCP resource packs, and build the Deployment Kits that transform how 200+ solutions consultants and partners operate. You mentor junior FDEs, drive the intelligence loop, and present field findings at weekly Applied AI strategy sessions. You are building a function, not filling a role.

What You Will Do

• Lead complex, multi-system AI deployments end-to-end scope, architect, build, validate, and manage the customer relationship throughout.
• Own the AI workshop program for your pod, customize modules per customer, lead technical sessions, translate outputs into production requirements, evolve content from field learning.
• Architect multi-agent solutions selecting the right coordination pattern for each customer's workflow characteristics and compliance requirements.
• Design client-specific and industry-specific MCP resource packs that serve personalized intelligence from the server so every connected AI surface gets smarter for that customer automatically.
• Own Deployment Kit quality for your pod. If a kit is not documented well enough for a solutions consultant with no engineering background to follow, it isn't done.
• Lead Solutions Enablement Sprints: transfer AI deployment patterns to solutions consultants and partners with training materials and certification criteria.
• Drive the intelligence loop: author strategic memos, present field findings weekly, contribute Agent Bricks and Skills, file RFCs for platform improvements.
• Mentor junior FDEs on customer engagements, code reviews, and Deployment Kit quality.

Required

• 6-10+ years production software engineering, including 3+ years deploying AI/ML to production. Deep Python; strong TypeScript/JavaScript.
• Proven track record leading complex enterprise technical engagements. You've managed customer relationships, navigated security reviews, and delivered production systems organisations depend on.
• Deep production LLM experience: multi-agent orchestration, MCP/tool-use, RAG optimisation, evaluation frameworks, agent deployment at scale.
• System architecture expertise spanning enterprise systems, cloud infrastructure, and AI services explainable to a CIO and a junior engineer.
• Demonstrated ability to create reusable technical assets that others use in production. You think in platforms, not projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication. Architecture documents, runbooks, strategic memos, training materials. Your Deployment Kits are your portfolio.
• You leave teams better than you found them. You make sure the people you work with understand what was built, why it works, and how to own it without you.
• Ability to travel. This role requires domestic and international travel approximately 25-50% of the time.
• Elligible to work in Germany on an ongoing basis
• Fluency in English is required
• BS or MS in Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent industry experience

Nice to Have:

• Experience founding or scaling an FDE/solutions engineering function.
• Technical founder background. Databricks, AWS Bedrock, or Temporal experience.
• Deep domain knowledge in healthcare, financial services, or government. Agent framework contributions (Strands SDK, LangChain, open-source MCP servers).
• Proficiency in German/French language will be an added advantage
• Familiarity of AI governance, ethics, and regulatory requirements (e.g. GDPR, UK/EU AI Act)