Forward Deployed AI Engineer (Multiple Levels)

Summary

NIQ is a consumer intelligence company delivering insights into consumer buying behavior through advanced analytics and technology. The Forward Deployed AI Engineer partners with clients to design, build, deploy, and optimize production-grade AI solutions while serving as a technical advisor and collaborating with engineers, data scientists, and business stakeholders.

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
• 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
• 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
• 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

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

• This role might also be eligible for a sales-based incentive or performance-based bonus.
• Flexible working environment
• Comprehensive health insurance
• Industry-leading parental leave
• Life insurance
• Education support
• 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)