Forward Deployed AI Engineer (Multiple Levels)

Summary

NIQ is a consumer intelligence company building AI-powered solutions for retailers, consumer brands, and other organizations. The Forward Deployed AI Engineer partners directly with clients to design, build, deploy, and optimize production AI solutions, while collaborating with engineers, data scientists, and business stakeholders. The role spans the full project lifecycle and includes approximately 30% travel to client locations.

Responsibilities

• Partner directly with clients to understand complex business challenges and identify opportunities where AI can create measurable impact
• Design, build, and deploy production-grade applications using AI, machine learning, cloud technologies, APIs, and modern software engineering practices
• Develop solutions utilizing large language models (LLMs), retrieval systems, agents, workflow automation, and advanced analytics
• Lead projects through the full lifecycle, from discovery and prototyping to deployment, adoption, and ongoing optimization
• Collaborate with client teams, product leaders, engineers, and data scientists to deliver scalable and impactful solutions
• Translate ambiguous problems into actionable plans and deliver results in fast-moving environments
• Measure solution performance, reliability, and user adoption, continuously improving the systems you build
• Contribute to the evolution of NIQ's AI capabilities by sharing learnings, creating reusable frameworks, and influencing future product direction
• Travel to client locations as needed to support discovery, implementation, and strategic engagements

Skills

• 3+ years of experience in software engineering, AI engineering, solutions engineering, deployment engineering, technical consulting, or a related field
• Candidates with additional experience may be considered for senior or lead-level opportunities
• Proven ability to build and deliver production systems from requirements gathering through implementation and adoption
• Strong software engineering skills with experience building production systems in Python, Java, Go, TypeScript, or similar languages, along with experience working with APIs, SQL, cloud platforms, data pipelines, and modern application architectures
• Experience building or deploying AI, machine learning, generative AI, or LLM-based applications in production environments
• Ability to translate ambiguous problems into practical, scalable technical solutions
• Strong systems thinking and an understanding of reliability, security, performance, and maintainability considerations
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with technical teams, business stakeholders, and clients
• Experience collaborating directly with customers, gathering requirements, and building trusted relationships
• Ability to lead technical discussions, influence decisions, and drive projects forward in fast-paced environments
• Comfortable working in highly collaborative, entrepreneurial environments with a strong sense of ownership
• Ability and willingness to travel approximately 30% to client locations for discovery, workshops, implementation support, and strategic collaboration
• This is a remote position with up to 30% travel required
• While candidates may be based anywhere in the U.S., we have a preference for those located in the Chicago or New York metropolitan areas due to proximity to our office locations and opportunities for in-person collaboration
• Experience working in a Forward Deployed Engineer, Solutions Engineer, Technical Consultant, Customer Engineer, or similar client-facing engineering role
• Experience building and deploying applications in cloud environments such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
• Experience working in fast-growing technology companies, startup environments, or highly entrepreneurial teams
• Experience supporting enterprise clients and leading complex technical engagements
• Familiarity with retail, consumer packaged goods (CPG), analytics, or data-driven decision-making environments

Qualifications

Must Haves

• 3+ years of experience in software engineering, AI engineering, solutions engineering, deployment engineering, technical consulting, or a related field
• Candidates with additional experience may be considered for senior or lead-level opportunities
• Proven ability to build and deliver production systems from requirements gathering through implementation and adoption
• Strong software engineering skills with experience building production systems in Python, Java, Go, TypeScript, or similar languages, along with experience working with APIs, SQL, cloud platforms, data pipelines, and modern application architectures
• Experience building or deploying AI, machine learning, generative AI, or LLM-based applications in production environments
• Ability to translate ambiguous problems into practical, scalable technical solutions
• Strong systems thinking and an understanding of reliability, security, performance, and maintainability considerations
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with technical teams, business stakeholders, and clients
• Experience collaborating directly with customers, gathering requirements, and building trusted relationships
• Ability to lead technical discussions, influence decisions, and drive projects forward in fast-paced environments
• Comfortable working in highly collaborative, entrepreneurial environments with a strong sense of ownership
• Ability and willingness to travel approximately 30% to client locations for discovery, workshops, implementation support, and strategic collaboration
• This is a remote position with up to 30% travel required
• While candidates may be based anywhere in the U.S., we have a preference for those located in the Chicago or New York metropolitan areas due to proximity to our office locations and opportunities for in-person collaboration

Nice to Haves

• Experience working in a Forward Deployed Engineer, Solutions Engineer, Technical Consultant, Customer Engineer, or similar client-facing engineering role
• Experience building and deploying applications in cloud environments such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
• Experience working in fast-growing technology companies, startup environments, or highly entrepreneurial teams
• Experience supporting enterprise clients and leading complex technical engagements
• Familiarity with retail, consumer packaged goods (CPG), analytics, or data-driven decision-making environments

Benefits

• Sales-based incentive or performance-based bonus eligibility
• Flexible working environment
• Comprehensive healthcare plan (medical, Rx, dental, and vision)
• Flexible spending accounts and a Health Savings Account, including company contributions
• Life and AD&D insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan including company matching contributions
• Disability insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Discretionary paid time off program and 11 paid holidays
• Volunteer time off
• LinkedIn Learning
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)