Principal Forward Deployed Engineer (Remote, USA)

Unit8, founded in 2017, is a high-tech, dynamic Swiss leader in AI and data analytics consulting, renowned for solving complex challenges in traditional industries such as automotive, chemical, financial services, manufacturing, and pharma. Our esteemed partnerships with industry giants like Palantir, NVIDIA, and OpenAI underscore our commitment to excellence. With over 200 successful projects and a team of 150+ talented professionals across Switzerland, Poland, and Germany, we are now expanding our footprint to the USA.

Unit8 is dedicated to driving AI adoption in non-digital industries, accelerating their digital transformation. We invest in projects that matter, including pro-bono initiatives and "engineering for good" causes.

Requirements:
About You

Following our remarkable growth in Switzerland, Poland, and Germany, Unit8 is expanding into the US market. We are seeking a Senior Forward Deployed Engineer (Technical Director) who will work directly with customers, owning delivery strategy and implementation. You will act as a thought leader and strategic force in a technical domain that is critical for Unit8 and its clients. You will collaborate closely with Unit8 CTO, our clients, and the Business Development organization to be on the forefront of extending Unit8’s strategy into the US market.

What You'll do

Pre-Sales

• Shape the go-to-market strategy by aligning our technical expertise with client needs.
• Collaborate closely with the Business Development team to craft proposals and secure strategic deals.

Partnerships

• Act as the representative of Unit8 in relationships with strategic partners.

Thought Leadership

• Suggest and evaluate technical accelerators and enablers.
• Define and refine our portfolio of offerings.
• Serve as a trusted technical voice for Unit8 with clients, partners, and at industry events.
• Establish and guide company-wide technical standards.
• Be an active thought leader through platforms like LinkedIn and blog articles.

Expand & Mentor

• Mentor and support other engineers.
• Engage in the recruitment of key technical team members.

What You Bring

The Experience

• Deep Domain Expertise: Minimum 8 years of experience in software/data engineering or data science. You have deep expertise in at least one key domain (Data Engineering, Data Science, Cloud Engineering, or GenAI).
• Commercial Fluency: proven experience in pre-sales, proposal design, or technical advisory where you influenced executive decision-making.
• GenAI/LLM Context: For relevant tracks, you have past experience building solutions with LLMs and a deep understanding of the overall GenAI landscape (Evaluation, Training, Problem Decomposition).

The Mindset

• You have an engineering mindset focused on delivering working solutions. You prioritize solving real business problems over theoretical perfection or academic benchmarks.
• You are comfortable working in a dynamic environment with evolving objectives. You can collaborate efficiently with both technical engineers and non-technical business stakeholders.
• You feel a sense of ownership over the company’s technical reputation and are eager to train those coming up behind you.

The Essentials

• Experience with programming/scripting, such as Python and/or SQL.
• Proficiency in Palantir Foundry.
• Strong foundation in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or related engineering fields.
• Willingness to travel (min. 25%) to client sites to drive implementation success and build relationships.
• A desire to drive thought leadership (LinkedIn, Blogs).

Benefits:
What we offer?

• High-Stakes Work: You will work on critical projects that transform how major industries operate.
• A "Builder" Culture: We are not a slide-deck consultancy. We build things that work. You will be surrounded by engineers and data scientists who share your passion for execution.
• Pioneering role and autonomy: As a key member of our US growth, you will have the freedom to shape how we deliver value in this new market.
• Groundbreaking Opportunity: You will play a pivotal role in establishing Unit8's footprint in the USA, driving the growth and impact of our operations in this emerging market.
• Rewarding Package: The estimated base salary range for this position is $150,000 – $190,000. In addition to base pay, total compensation includes an annual bonus based on individual and company performance. We also offer a 401(k) retirement plan and comprehensive health insurance. Final compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and skills.

Unit8 is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are valued and respected. We believe that diversity drives innovation and enhances our ability to serve our clients effectively. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. We are dedicated to fostering an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to our mission.

We look forward to hearing from you!