Forward Deployed Engineer - Defence

As a Forward Deployed Engineer, you will be engineering full-stack AI-driven web applications on the C3 AI Platform, working directly with customers to design, develop, and deploy production applications, demos, and proofs-of-technology. An ideal candidate possesses strategic and analytical aptitude, software development expertise, and excellent interpersonal skills. You will work with some of the largest and most demanding organisations on the planet to build the next generation of AI-powered enterprise applications.

You will work directly with data scientists, software engineers, and subject matter experts to define new analytics capabilities that give our customers the information they need to make decisions under pressure and accelerate their digital transformation.

This is a frontline role on some of the most consequential AI programmes in UK and European defence today. You will help design and deploy AI that keeps aircraft and platforms mission-ready through predictive maintenance, that sharpens decision-making through Digital Targeting, and that sustains operations through logistics in contested and degraded environments. These are live programmes with real operational stakes, delivered into demanding, secure settings across the UK MOD, NATO, and allied European partners.

This role supports defence programmes that require UK Security Clearance. Candidates must hold, or be able to obtain and maintain, [SC / NATO] clearance. Eligibility is set by the contracting authority and typically requires a minimum of five years’ continuous UK residence.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy applications. Engineer full-stack, AI-based enterprise applications on the C3 AI Platform.
• Mentor junior team members. Share coding standards and design techniques with less experienced engineers.
• Conduct design and code reviews. Review customer software applications for quality, architecture, and best practices.
• Test and enhance customer applications. Troubleshoot, test, and improve customer software applications directly and on behalf of customers.
• Deliver technical enablement. Lead technical deep-dives, product demonstrations, and customer training sessions.
• Write documentation. Produce application specifications, technical documentation, and supporting artifacts.
• Identify and mitigate risk. Continuously surface technical risks and gaps; devise mitigation strategies in anticipation of customer needs.
• Drive product improvement. Work closely with product management and engineering to improve the overall quality of C3 AI software.

Qualifications

• MSc or Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM), or a comparable area of study.
• 5+ years of professional software development experience with object-oriented programming languages.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to work effectively on a cross-functional team.
• Analytical, problem-solving abilities, organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to travel as needed.

Preferred qualifications

• PhD in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM), or a comparable area of study.
• Experience deploying enterprise-scale applications.
• Proficient Software development expertise with JavaScript and Python.
• Proficient with Git or other version control software.
• Experience working with JavaScript frameworks such as React, Redux, Vue, Backbone, or Angular.

C3 AI provides excellent benefits, a competitive compensation package and generous equity plan.