Forward Deployed Engineer
Blank Metal · Minneapolis, MN
About this role
## Forward Deployed Engineer **Department:** Engineering **Location:** Minneapolis, MN (Hybrid) **Type:** Full-time **Reports to:** CTO **Travel:** ~25–40% (higher during kickoffs and go-lives) ### About the role Enterprises come to Blank Metal to get production AI live. As a **Forward Deployed Engineer**, you turn executive-level advisory conversations into **shipped software**—closing the gap between a promising demo and a system that runs in production. You’ll embed with clients, earn trust at the executive level, and stay hands-on from **scoping** through **live deployment**. This is a senior, high-autonomy role with real ownership: you carry a small number of accounts deeply and are measured on outcomes clients can see. ### What you’ll get to do - **Set the conditions:** Partner with client executives to identify the highest-value AI opportunity and frame it in the client’s language. - **Lead scoping + POC:** De-risk builds before a full engagement starts. - **Shape technical approach:** Collaborate on scope and approach alongside the growth team (they own the close; you ensure what’s promised can be built). - **Build for real:** Deploy alongside a lean team and own architecture, hard decisions, and shipped code. - **Deliver production artifacts:** MCP servers, sub-agents, agent skills, and the pipelines around them. - **Work across the stack:** Full stack + model layer. - **Navigate enterprise reality:** IT systems, security constraints, and stakeholder needs. - **Own the outcome:** Back results with observability and evals clients can verify. - **Win adoption:** A deployment succeeds when people rely on it day to day. - **Carry accounts end-to-end:** From executive workshops to debugging and agentic orchestration. - **Bring patterns back:** Improve the playbook based on each engagement. ### What will help you succeed - **7+ years** building and shipping software, including experience as a technical leader trusted by executives. - Proven ability to **own production systems end-to-end**. - Shipped **LLM-powered systems** to production (agents, retrieval, evals) and strong judgment on when each approach is the right tool. - Strong hands-on skills in **Python** and **TypeScript/JavaScript** (and comfort adapting to the client’s stack). - Experience building/maintaining **eval frameworks** that demonstrate real system performance. - Ability to discuss strategy with a CTO and then contribute directly in the codebase. - Comfortable with ambiguity and working with a small team. - Clear communicator who explains technical decisions in plain language. - Low ego, high cooperation; integrity and collaboration. - Founder/CTO/first-engineer experience is a plus (bonus: depth in healthcare or private equity). ### Compensation & benefits - Base salary commensurate with experience - Revenue-based variable comp tied to accounts you carry - Comprehensive health coverage - 401(k) with match - Flexible time off - Flexible work arrangements - Support for professional development ### About Blank Metal Blank Metal is an **AI-native engineering company** partnering with enterprises to deliver production AI fast—blending strategic insight with hands-on execution. They’re builders, not theorists, and focus on shipping AI that’s measurable and actually used. Blank Metal is an **equal opportunity employer** and welcomes all backgrounds and perspectives.
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