Forward Deployed Engineer

ABOUT THE ROLE This is a high-ownership, customer-facing engineering role at a Y Combinator–backed AI startup automating quoting and order processing for enterprise distributors and manufacturers. You'll own the full technical lifecycle — from sales handoff through live deployment — acting as the critical bridge between cutting-edge AI and real-world customer environments. WHAT YOU'LL DO - Own end-to-end technical implementation of the product, from post-sales handoff to go-live. - Configure and fine-tune AI models for customer-specific use cases, including prompt engineering and model behaviour adjustments. - Structure customer data and build system integrations with enterprise platforms such as ERP systems and REST/GraphQL APIs. - Develop rapid prototypes to demonstrate new features or address emerging customer challenges, then evolve them into scalable solutions. - Engage daily with both technical teams and senior business stakeholders to translate real-world pain points into engineering decisions. - Surface product gaps and usage patterns back to the core engineering team as the internal voice of the customer. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR - Native fluency in German — essential for this role. - Strong full-stack engineering skills across Python, React, TypeScript, SQL, and API development. - Hands-on experience with enterprise system integrations, including ERP systems (e.g. SAP) and REST/GraphQL APIs. - Practical experience with LLMs, AI agents, and prompt engineering, with the ability to adapt model behaviour to specific business domains. - Proven ability to work with messy, real-world data and build reliable structures quickly. - Customer-obsessed mindset — comfortable at the intersection of engineering, product, and client environments. - High agency and ownership; you proactively identify problems and drive solutions without needing explicit task assignment. - Clear communicator, able to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. - Comfortable with ambiguity, legacy systems, and a scrappy, high-intensity work culture. COMPENSATION & BENEFITS Salary range: €80,000 – €130,000 per year. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role. LOCATION On-site in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. Candidates must be based in Munich or willing to relocate.