Manager, Forward Deployed Engineering - London
WFA Digital Insight
The demand for skilled engineering managers in AI is surging, with over 25% growth expected in the next two years. Openai's Forward Deployed Engineering team is at the forefront of this trend, partnering with customers to turn research breakthroughs into production systems. With the rise of hybrid work models, companies are looking for leaders who can navigate complex technical projects and build high-performing teams. As a candidate, you should be prepared to showcase your technical expertise, leadership skills, and ability to drive business value in a fast-paced environment. Openai's commitment to diversity and inclusion is a major draw for top talent, and this role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of AI deployment.
Job Description
About the Role
The Manager, Forward Deployed Engineering role is a critical position at Openai, responsible for leading a team of engineers through high-stakes, ambiguous customer deployments. As a key member of the Forward Deployed Engineering team, you will own technical and business value outcomes end-to-end, driving the delivery of production systems with frontier models. Your team will operate at the intersection of customer delivery and core platform development, requiring close collaboration with Product, Research, Sales, and GTM.The success of this role will be measured by the consistent shipping of high-quality solutions, clear delivery of signal to Research and Product, and the durability of the team and delivery model. You will be expected to grow a team that can operate under pressure, make sound decisions under ambiguity, and prioritize technical quality and customer satisfaction.
As a leader in this role, you will be responsible for codifying best practices into tools, playbooks, and roadmap inputs that create leverage for both Openai and the wider developer community. You will also be expected to notice early indicators of potential issues and raise them with urgency, whether in product behavior, customer environments, or delivery practices.
What You Will Do
- Lead and grow a team of FDEs delivering production systems with frontier models
- Own end-to-end delivery outcomes through clarity, speed, tight coordination, and technical quality
- Codify what works into tools, playbooks, and roadmap inputs that create leverage for both Openai and our wider developer community
- Notice early indicators and raise them with urgency, whether in product behavior, customer environments, or delivery practices
- Use judgment to distinguish what requires action and what does not
- Set a high bar for FDE performance and support each person’s growth through direct, actionable feedback
- Define how we staff and support field teams that can scale without added complexity
- Partner closely with Product, Research, Sales, and GTM to ensure fieldwork informs roadmap priorities, drives new exploration, and supports safe deployment at scale
- Develop and maintain a deep understanding of customer needs and market trends
- Drive technical innovation and experimentation within the team
What We Are Looking For
- 8+ years of engineering or technical delivery experience, including 2+ years managing high-performing FDE or customer-facing engineers
- Experience leading high-pressure technical projects from prototype to production
- Strong programming skills in Javascript or Python, with the ability to write and review production-grade code
- Ability to simplify complex work and make fast, sound decisions under pressure
- Experience operating with urgency in ambiguous or evolving environments
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to build deep trust with team members and stakeholders
- Ability to translate field experience into sharp, actionable feedback for Product and Research
- Experience with agile development methodologies and version control systems
- Strong understanding of software development best practices and design patterns
Nice to Have
- Experience with cloud-based technologies and containerization
- Knowledge of machine learning or AI development principles
- Experience with DevOps practices and continuous integration/continuous deployment
- Familiarity with Openai’s products and technology stack
Benefits and Perks
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Opportunity to work with a talented team of engineers and researchers
- Collaborative and dynamic work environment
- Flexible working hours and remote work options
- Professional development and growth opportunities
- Access to cutting-edge technology and tools
- Comprehensive health and wellness benefits
- Generous paid time off and holidays
- Parental leave and family benefits
- Employee resource groups and diversity initiatives
How to Stand Out
- Develop a strong understanding of Openai’s products and technology stack to stand out as a candidate
- Showcase your ability to simplify complex technical concepts and communicate effectively with non-technical stakeholders
- Highlight your experience with agile development methodologies and version control systems
- Be prepared to provide specific examples of your leadership experience and technical expertise
- Research Openai’s company culture and values to demonstrate your alignment with the organization’s mission
- Practice whiteboarding exercises to improve your problem-solving skills and ability to think on your feet
- Prepare to discuss your experience with machine learning or AI development principles, even if it’s not a direct requirement for the role
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