Forward Deployed Engineer - Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning
First seen by Alion on Oct 21, 2026.
About the Role:
We are looking for a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) - AI Engineer with hands-on experience in AI/ML solutions and Lean / Kaizen process improvement projects.
The ideal candidate will work closely with customers and business stakeholders to identify operational challenges, develop AI-powered solutions, and drive measurable improvements in efficiency, productivity, and business outcomes.
Key Responsibilities:
- Work directly with customers to understand business workflows, identify pain points, and translate operational challenges into AI-driven solutions.
- Design, develop, and deploy AI/ML, Generative AI, and automation solutions for real-world business use cases.
- Apply Lean, Kaizen, and continuous improvement methodologies to optimize processes, reduce waste, and improve operational efficiency.
- Conduct process mapping, root cause analysis, and workflow optimization to identify automation opportunities.
- Build and integrate LLM-based applications, AI agents, APIs, and data pipelines into existing enterprise systems.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement, test, and scale AI solutions in production environments.
- Track solution performance using KPIs, ROI metrics, and process improvement indicators.
- Drive rapid prototyping, proof of concepts (POCs), and iterative solution development based on customer feedback.
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- 4 - 8 years of experience in AI engineering, software engineering, automation, or a related technical role.
- Hands-on experience delivering Lean / Kaizen projects, process optimization, or continuous improvement initiatives.
- Strong programming skills in Python and experience building production-ready applications.
- Experience with Generative AI, LLMs, RAG, AI agents, or workflow automation.
- Experience integrating REST APIs, databases, and enterprise applications.
- Understanding of process mapping, root cause analysis, waste reduction, and operational excellence.
- Strong customer-facing skills with the ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions.
- Ability to work in fast-paced environments and independently drive projects from discovery to deployment.
Good to Have:
- Experience with AWS, Azure, or GCP.
- Lean / Kaizen certifications or experience in manufacturing, supply chain, operations, or enterprise transformation projects.
- Experience with AI orchestration frameworks and production deployment of AI solutions.
Ideal Candidate:
- A hands-on engineer who combines AI engineering, customer-facing problem-solving, and Lean / Kaizen expertise to build practical solutions that improve business processes and deliver measurable impact.
Skills
Artificial Intelligence, Python, Generative AI, Machine Learning, Forward Deployment Engineering, LLM, Agentic AI, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform