Forward Deployed Engineer – AI Systems (Backend Software Engineering Focus)
IkutoAbout the role
Forward Deployed Engineer – AI Systems (Backend Software Engineering Focus)
Location: San Francisco, CA (On-site – North Beach)
Compensation: $180,000 – $220,000 Base Salary + Equity + Relocation Support
(Backend Software Engineering Focus)
About the Opportunity
We are partnering with a fast-growing, Series A ($15M raised) AI systems company headquartered in San Francisco. Unlike traditional SaaS vendors selling copilots, this company builds and deploys custom, fully managed digital workforces—teams of AI agents designed to execute complex, high-stakes enterprise operations.
They are seeking a high-caliber Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) to bridge heavy backend software engineering with client-facing solution architecture. Reporting directly to the CTO in a flat, high-ownership engineering org, you will own zero-to-one customer deployments—building production-grade Python agentic pipelines and deploying them directly into enterprise client systems.
The Role
Backend Systems Engineering (~70%): Write clean, production-grade Python code to design, test, and deploy AI agent systems using internal homegrown frameworks and observability platforms.
Technical Client Engagement (~30%): Partner directly with enterprise engineering teams to scope, design, and execute custom integrations into complex legacy and modern environments.
Product Engine Bridge: Feed real-world deployment challenges back into the core platform to ensure company-wide scalability.
System Reliability: Maintain, monitor, and optimize running agent workflows to ensure strict enterprise accuracy and uptime standards.
What We’re Looking For
3+ Years of SWE Experience: Solid foundation in backend software engineering, API architecture, and system design.
Python Mastery: Hands-on experience writing scalable, production-ready Python code.
Application-Level AI/LLM Experience: Proven track record of shipping production AI applications using LLMs, RAG, tool-calling agents, and modern framework ecosystems.
Technical Client Polish: Strong verbal communication skills with previous experience presenting to or collaborating directly with client engineering teams.
Enterprise Rigor: Understanding of security, compliance (SOC 2), and scalability requirements typical of large enterprise systems.
Nice-to-Haves
Background combining large tech/enterprise software rigor with fast-paced startup execution.
Prior experience as a Forward Deployed Engineer, Solutions Engineer, or Customer-Facing Backend Software Engineer.
Exposure to financial software, ERP systems, or complex back-office data pipelines.
Responsibilities
- Write clean, production-grade Python code to design, test, and deploy AI agent systems
- Partner directly with enterprise engineering teams to scope, design, and execute custom integrations
- Feed real-world deployment challenges back into the core platform
- Maintain, monitor, and optimize running agent workflows
Qualifications
- Solid foundation in backend software engineering, API architecture, and system design
- Hands-on experience writing scalable, production-ready Python code
- Proven track record of shipping production AI applications using LLMs
- Strong verbal communication skills with previous experience presenting to client engineering teams
- Understanding of security, compliance, and scalability requirements typical of large enterprise systems
Benefits
- Equity
- Relocation Support
Skills mentioned
About Ikuto
Ikuto is a specialist search firm focused on Forward Deployed, Solutions and Customer Engineering talent across the AI and SaaS market. We work directly with founders and hiring teams at venture-backed companies across the US, often on retained and exclusive searches. That gives us a close view of who's hiring, what they're building and, importantly, which opportunities are genuinely worth knowing about. For candidates, we're here to make the market easier to navigate. Tell us what a great next move looks like and we'll do the filtering. We'll give you context beyond the job description, introduce you directly to the people behind the hire and only bring you opportunities we think are worth your time. For clients, we spend every day in this talent market. We know what exceptional looks like, where to find it and how to get the right people interested. FDE | Solutions Engineering | Customer Engineering | Implementation | AI & SaaS | NYC | SF | UK Your career. Forward deployed.