About this role
CompetenciesThis isn't traditional consulting. And it's not back-office engineering. It's applied problem-solving in the real world, where your decisions directly impact revenue, retention, and business outcomes. We're looking for someone with:
3–6 years of experience in consulting, data engineering, software engineering, or similar technical roles
Comfort working directly with customers and operating in ambiguous environments
Curiosity, ownership, and interest in building something new
Willingness to travel to customer sites
The ability to learn fast — this is the most important trait of all
Technical foundations:
Strong foundation in SQL and data modeling
Experience with Python and/or other scripting languages
Experience integrating with APIs (REST / GraphQL)
Strong foundation in agentic systems and experience with AI tools to accelerate delivery
Familiarity with data pipelines, ETL/ELT, or workflow automation is a bonus but not required
TrajectoryForward Deployed Engineers are the heart of Planhat's AI Deployment Program. Joining Planhat as a Founding FDE at this moment is a unique professional accelerant:
Work with companies that are early adopters of AI and want to build the future with us
Gain experience in data engineering, systems design, AI deployment, workflow automation, and commercial operations — all at once
Become fluent in applied AI: not model research, but the much harder, much rarer skill of deploying AI that actually works
Develop technical intuition that is extremely rare in the market — the type that opens doors to engineering leadership, product architecture, or applied AI roles in any industry
Shape a brand-new discipline. FDE is to this decade what full-stack engineering was to the previous one
As our Founding FDE, you'll embed with customers, understand how their business and systems actually work, and engineer the data pipelines, workflows, and automations that make AI useful and valuable.
Definition of SuccessYou are continuously delivering AI-powered outcomes for customers that are measurable, scalable, and repeatable
You are consistently seen as a trusted technical partner by customers, bridging the gap between messy real-world complexity and AI systems that actually work
You are building the playbook for Forward Deployment Engineering at Planhat — shaping a discipline that is just beginning to emerge
You are growing your technical intuition across data engineering, systems design, AI deployment, and commercial operations simultaneously
You are helping companies transition into the AI era with clarity, speed, and real outcomes
CompensationThe OTE (base + variable) salary range for this position is $170,000 - $250,000 per year. Please note that actual salaries will vary based on factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. Please also note the range listed is just one component of the company’s total rewards package for exempt employees. Other rewards may include performance bonuses, long term incentives, a generous PTO policy, and other benefits.