Forward Deployed Engineer

Summary

Relay is building the next generation of human-in-the-loop Physical AI, focusing on intelligent systems that operate in real-world environments. The Forward Deployed Engineer will engage on-site with manufacturers to implement AI-driven solutions, acting as the primary technical authority throughout the deployment lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Business Development and Enterprise Sales to deeply understand manufacturing customers’ operational environments, technical constraints, and transformation goals
• Architect sophisticated solutions on Relay’s platform — including complex wireless deployments (Cellular/WiFi), custom integrations, and AI-driven workflow automation — tailored to production environment realities
• Design and deliver highly customized technical demonstrations and presentations to operational, IT, and executive stakeholders, including C-suite and plant leadership
• Own the development, hands-on implementation, and management of Proof-of-Concept deployments that prove transformative value in live manufacturing environments
• Act as the primary technical authority for strategic customers across the full pre-sales and initial deployment lifecycle
• Lead technical diligence processes end-to-end: RFPs, RFIs, security questionnaires, IT architecture reviews, and integration complexity assessments for AI deployments
• Drive the discovery of “emerging solutions” — novel AI integrations, new models, custom operational intelligence tooling — directly with customers, from first deployment through initial operationalization
• Proactively identify, address, and overcome technical objections, securing buy-in from manufacturing IT, OT teams, and operational leadership on Physical AI adoption
• Contribute technical substance to proposals, Statements of Work, and commercial negotiations, grounding the value case in deployed reality
• Meticulously document AI solution architectures, API utilization patterns, Relay platform configurations, and integration schemas developed during pre-sales and early deployment
• Lead thorough handover sessions to Customer Success and Operations for standardized solutions, ensuring downstream teams have the technical context and design rationale to succeed
• Serve as escalation point for implementation and post-deployment teams on complex technical issues
• Directly support “emerging solutions” until they mature into standardized, transferable deployments
• Synthesize field intelligence from manufacturing deployments into structured, actionable product feedback for the Product team — identifying feature gaps, integration friction, and emerging customer requirements
• Collaborate with Operations to build deployment playbooks for new Physical AI solution types
• Partner with Security and Support to develop institutional knowledge around common technical and compliance diligence in manufacturing AI deployments
• Develop technical enablement assets — capability one-pagers, architecture diagrams, and integration cheat sheets — for BD and Enterprise Sales
• Contribute to external technical content: Physical AI whitepapers, manufacturing case studies, and conference talks

Skills

• 1–3+ years in a customer-facing technical role — Forward Deployed Engineer, Sales Engineer, Solutions Architect, or Technical Analyst — in enterprise software, SaaS, AI, or data infrastructure
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex manufacturing or industrial business problems into sophisticated, AI-driven technical solutions using SaaS platforms and APIs
• Hands-on experience building, implementing, and delivering compelling technical demonstrations and working PoC deployments using modern AI/ML tooling and APIs
• Experience leading enterprise technical diligence — RFPs, security reviews, IT architecture evaluations
• Ability to write code and build working prototypes in the field; fluency in modern web technologies and at least one scripting or application language
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to move between deep technical depth and executive-level business narrative without losing precision in either direction
• High tolerance for ambiguity; comfortable operating in the fast-moving, undefined territory of emerging Physical AI applications
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical technical experience
• Direct experience with manufacturing operations, OT/IT convergence, industrial systems, or plant-floor environments
• Familiarity with real-time operational data systems, IoT infrastructure, or industrial automation platforms
• Prior experience in a true FDE model — embedded field engineering, not demo-and-handoff

Qualifications

Must Haves

• 1–3+ years in a customer-facing technical role — Forward Deployed Engineer, Sales Engineer, Solutions Architect, or Technical Analyst — in enterprise software, SaaS, AI, or data infrastructure
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex manufacturing or industrial business problems into sophisticated, AI-driven technical solutions using SaaS platforms and APIs
• Hands-on experience building, implementing, and delivering compelling technical demonstrations and working PoC deployments using modern AI/ML tooling and APIs
• Experience leading enterprise technical diligence — RFPs, security reviews, IT architecture evaluations
• Ability to write code and build working prototypes in the field; fluency in modern web technologies and at least one scripting or application language
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to move between deep technical depth and executive-level business narrative without losing precision in either direction
• High tolerance for ambiguity; comfortable operating in the fast-moving, undefined territory of emerging Physical AI applications
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical technical experience

Nice to Haves

• Direct experience with manufacturing operations, OT/IT convergence, industrial systems, or plant-floor environments
• Familiarity with real-time operational data systems, IoT infrastructure, or industrial automation platforms
• Prior experience in a true FDE model — embedded field engineering, not demo-and-handoff

Benefits

• 100% Paid Insurance Health, Dental, Vision, Long/Short Term Disability, and Life Insurance benefits for you and those who depend on you
• Generous Paid Time Off
• 401(K) Savings Plan + Company Match
• Baby Cash Reward + Paid Parental Leave
• Wellness Perks, including a world-class onsite fitness center with instructor-led classes + locker room, as well as endless outdoor amenities, whether tennis, basketball, cycling, or pickleball is your jam
• Free Snacks and Fun Times
• Latest tech, standing desks, and all the accessories and software you need to succeed in your role