Senior Forward Deployed AI Engineer

About the role

Join Smartsheet as a Senior Forward Deployed AI Engineer, where you will lead complex AI deployments, own the full engagement lifecycle, architect multi-agent solutions, and mentor junior engineers. You will have the opportunity to build a function, not just fill a role, and make a significant impact on the company's AI strategy. Key missions: Independently lead complex AI deployments, owning the full engagement lifecycle from technical discovery to production deployment.. Architect multi-agent solutions, design client-personalized MCP resource packs, and build Deployment Kits that transform how solutions consultants operate.. Mentor junior FDEs, drive the intelligence loop, and present field findings at weekly Applied AI strategy sessions. Profile: - 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 - Deep production LLM experience: multi-agent orchestration, MCP/tool-use, RAG optimisation, evaluation frameworks, agent deployment at scale - Ability to travel. This role requires domestic and international travel approximately 25–50% of the time - System architecture expertise spanning enterprise systems, cloud infrastructure, and AI services explainable to a CIO and a junior engineer - Proven track record leading complex enterprise technical engagements. You’ve managed customer relationships, navigated security reviews, and delivered production systems organisations depend on - Elligible to work in Germany on an ongoing basis - Fluency in English is required - 6–10+ years production software engineering, including 3+ years deploying AI/ML to production. Deep Python; strong TypeScript/JavaScript - Strong written and verbal communication. Architecture documents, runbooks, strategic memos, training materials. Your Deployment Kits are your portfolio - Demonstrated ability to create reusable technical assets that others use in production. You think in platforms, not projects - BS or MS in Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent industry experience - Experience founding or scaling an FDE/solutions engineering function - Deep domain knowledge in healthcare, financial services, or government. Agent framework contributions (Strands SDK, LangChain, open-source MCP servers) - Technical founder background. Databricks, AWS Bedrock, or Temporal experience - 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)