Forward Deployed Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Sep 26, 2026. First seen by Alion on Aug 14, 2026.
Forward Deployed Engineer,alliantAI Services
ABOUT THE ROLE
alliant is building an engineering-led delivery model for its AI practice, andwe'relooking for a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) to embed directly with our clients: running technical discovery, architecting solutions, writing code, and owning the ROI case alongside the build.
Unlike an FDE at a product company, you will not be adapting a fixed platform to a customer's use case.You will combinealliant'sreusable AI accelerators, reference architectures, agent templates, prompt libraries, and industry playbooks into solutions built for each client's environment. The goal is to adapt proven IP quickly and return what you learn to the sharedlibrary,so the next engagement moves faster anddelivers athigher quality.
This is a hands-on role in a practicethat'sintentionally still being shaped. You are part software developer, part value-engineer, part product thinker;and your success is measured as much by the ROI and impact recognized by a client as by the code you ship. Technologists here need to build real commercial fluency and stakeholder range; delivery, BA, and PM professionals need to build hands-on skills in AI-assisted development, solution design, and rapid prototyping. Wherever you start,you'reexpected to grow across that full spectrum.You'llwork alongside PMs, solution architects, software engineers, and data scientists in a model built for close collaboration rather than functional silos.
As a premier consultingand technologyfirm,alliant is focused on providing solutions to help businesses transform and thrive,while serving as their ongoing growth partner.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Diagnose before you build. Embed with client stakeholders to understand their technical environment, workflows, and business goals, as well asquantify the value case (cost savings, cycle-time reduction, revenue impact) before a line of code gets written.
Buildfrom the accelerator library, not from scratch. Configure and extendalliant'sreusable agent patterns, reference architectures, and prompt libraries into AI-driven integrations and agentic workflows tailored to each client;favoring speed-to-value over bespoke engineering.
Own delivery outcomes. Lead technical onboarding and deployment for enterprise engagements, delivering on time, on budget, and against a measurable ROI target, in partnership with Solution Architects, Tech Leads, and Project Managers.
Make the ROI story defensible. Instrument solutions and report on business outcomes so every engagement produces a value narrative the client's own leadership can champion internally, reflectingthe difference between a satisfied client and aRavingFan.
Create the internal-to-external learning loop. Work withalliant'sinternal AI Center of Excellence toproductionizesuccessful internal agents, evaluation methods, referencearchitectures, and delivery frameworks for external clients. Feed patterns, client demand, and field results back into the sharedroadmapso each engagement improves the next.
Troubleshootunder pressure. Resolve complex technical issues in live client environments, often on compressed timelines.
Be the internal technical champion. Influence solution design, accelerator roadmap, and where the practice invests in new reusable capability.
Help expandthe client relationship. Support technical discovery, demos, and rapidproof-of-valuebuilds thatestablishthe case for broader strategic engagements. Translatean initialuse case into a credible roadmap, architecture, and value thesis that practice leadership can commercialize.
Travel to client sites as needed (up to 30-50%, depending on engagement).
WHAT YOU'LL BRING
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Data Science, or related fieldrequired.
5+ years in software engineering, solutions consulting, or technical delivery, with hands-on coding ability in Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, Java, or Gopreferred.
Experience working directly with enterprise clients in a technical or consultative capacity;comfortable being the person accountable for both the build and the business case.
Working knowledge of REST APIs, cloud infrastructure (Azure preferred), and modern software architecture.
Hands-on experience with AI-assisted development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Claude Code) and genuine depth in LLM/agent development and rapid prototyping.
Comfortoperatingin a scaling services environment without a fixed product roadmap,where the "platform" is a growing library of accelerators you help shape, not a finished system you configure.
Excellent communication skillswith the abilityto move fluidly between engineering detail and executive-level ROI framing, and to manage stakeholders across both conversations.
Self-starter mentality with the ability tooperateindependently in ambiguous, fast-moving environments.
Receptiveness to performance feedback within a team environment is essential.
Travel to client sites as needed (up to 30-50%, depending on engagement).
Preferred candidate willresideorrelocateto Houston.
You do not need to arrive equally strong across engineering, consulting, and value realization.
You do needdemonstrateddepth in at least one of those areas, workingfluencyin the others, and the ability to grow quickly across the full FDE model.
Candidates from project, business, or process backgrounds withdemonstratedtechnical fluency anda track recordof delivery are encouraged to apply.
NICE TO HAVE
Prior experience in AI/ML delivery, agentic system design, or applied data science.
Experience with Microsoft Azure AI, Copilot, or Power Platform.
Domain exposure to tax/professional services, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, or private equity.
Background as a BA, PM, or solutions consultant who has grown into hands-on technical delivery, or vice versa.
Experience supporting presales or proof-of-concept work in a consulting or professional services environment.
OUR NORTH STAR
alliant'sFDEs own delivery in partnership with Solution Architects, Tech Leads, and Project Managerswhile beingon time, on budget, and always in service ofalliant'scompany-wide Raving Fan Mission:which is thatevery client interaction should be anA++++ experience they actively referto others,rather thana box they check as "satisfied." For an FDE, that means the ROI case is as real as the code, and the accelerator you build today is designed to make the nextclient'soutcome even better.
WHAT WE BRING
alliant offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package including 100% employer paid medical /dental premiums for single coverage for certain options, 401(k) matching, PTO, company provided life insurance and disability, onsite gym and group exercise classes, paid covered parking, and more!
Do Work That Matters.alliant