JOB TITLE: Forward Deployed Engineer
LOCATION: Fremont, CA
DURATION: 6+ months Contract to Hire
RATE RANGE: $60-70/hour
POSITION SUMMARY:
Our client is seeking an experienced Forward Deployed Engineer with a proven track record in on-site deployment and optimization of infrastructure operating systems. This role is critical in executing rapid deployments, troubleshooting real-time issues, and ensuring seamless integration of technology and infrastructure to support our client's global operations, including Gigafactories, Megapack sites, and Solar.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Partner closely with supply chain teams to deeply understand workflows in procurement, demand forecasting, inventory management, logistics, warehousing, supplier collaboration, and order fulfillment.
- Identify and prioritize high-impact opportunities where AI and automation can eliminate manual work, reduce errors, and drive significant business value (cost savings, speed, resilience).
- Rapidly prototype, deploy, and iterate on AI-powered tools and systems — including intelligent forecasting, automated purchasing recommendations, supplier risk monitoring, dynamic routing, inventory optimization, and exception handling.
- Build and own end-to-end internal supply chain tools that integrate with ERP, WMS, TMS, and other enterprise systems.
- Leverage modern AI (LLMs, predictive models, optimization algorithms, agents) to automate complex decision-making and repetitive tasks.
- Act as technical owner for critical systems handling sensitive supply chain data, ensuring reliability, auditability, and scalability.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Data Science, and IT to integrate new capabilities into core platforms.
- Stay current with the latest AI tools, supply chain technologies, and industry best practices, applying them swiftly to internal challenges.
QUALIFICATIONS:- 5+ years of software engineering experience with a strong track record of shipping production systems.
- Deep understanding of supply chain domains (procurement, planning, logistics, inventory, or manufacturing operations).
- Strong experience applying AI/ML to real-world problems (forecasting, optimization, anomaly detection, document processing, etc.).
- Excellent ability to translate ambiguous business problems into technical solutions.
- High agency, ownership mindset, and comfort operating in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.\
- Strong communication skills — able to work effectively with both technical engineers and supply chain operators.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Proficiency in Python and modern data/AI tooling (LangChain/LlamaIndex, Pandas, scikit-learn, optimization libraries, etc.).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Previous experience as a Forward Deployed Engineer, Solutions Architect, or Internal Tools Engineer.
- Background in ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, etc.), warehouses management systems (WMS), or transportation management systems (TMS).
- Experience with mathematical optimization, simulation, or operations research.
- Familiarity with agentic AI systems or building autonomous supply chain workflows.
- EDUCATION
Bachelors degree preferred
BENEFITS SUMMARY:
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate or annual salary only, unless otherwise stated. In addition to base compensation, full-time roles are eligible for Medical, Dental, Vision, Commuter and 401K benefits with company matching.
FAIR CHANCE POLICY:
Pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, qualified applicants will be considered for assignment with arrest and conviction records. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness, meet client expectations, standards, and accompanying requirements, and safeguard business operations and company reputation.