Forward Deployed AI Engineer

Description

About Windward

Windward is a maritime AI leader helping governments and enterprises navigate risk, compliance, and geopolitical uncertainty across global trade. Our platform transforms massive unstructured datasets into real-time, actionable insights. From intercepting dark fleet tankers to predicting supply chain disruptions, we enable confident, data-driven decisions.

The Role

We are looking for a Forward Deployed AI Engineer (FDE) to lead hands-on deployments of our platform in complex, high-impact environments. Our customers include governments, defense organizations, maritime companies, traders and global logistics leaders.

You will operate at the intersection of software engineering, customer success, and operational delivery. This is a hands-on engineering role. You will write production-grade code, build APIs, develop integrations, and deliver custom features that solve real problems. You’ll own execution end to end, from scoping to merging to master and will have opportunities to contribute learning and workflows from customers to our product suite.

This is not a sales engineering role. It is for builders who want to work directly with users and move fast. You’ll be in the room with end-users, writing code, and delivering value in days or weeks - not quarters.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the technical deployment of Windward’s platform for strategic customers
• Write clean, scalable production code to build integrations, APIs, scripts, and microservices
• Develop tools that transform unstructured data (like AIS, port calls, or vessel documents) into insights
• Work with Product and Engineering to shape our roadmap based on what matters in the field
• Rapidly prototype and iterate on new features and use cases
• Engage directly with technical users and analysts to solve operational challenges

Operate independently within customer environments, when required.

Requirements

Required Skills and Experience

• At least 3 years of experience as a software engineer or devops engineer with concrete development experience
• Strong coding skills with at least one of the following: python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Node.js, React
• Experience working with data pipelines, APIs, and cloud infrastructure (especially AWS and Docker)
• Comfortable working in high-pressure or sensitive environments
• Strong interpersonal skills and confidence working directly with both technical and operational teams
• Able to ship fast, iterate quickly, and deliver measurable results
• Familiarity with domain-specific data (geospatial, maritime, trade, logistics) is a plus
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Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a Forward Deployed Engineer or similar role at Palantir or another vertical AI company
• Past experience building solutions with LLMs and a deep understanding of the overall Gen AI landscape
• Experience with modern development process using Cursor, Windsurf, copilot and similar tools
• Background working with government, intelligence, defense, logistics, or maritime sectors
• Experience deploying software in secure or mission-critical environments
• Track record of owning customer outcomes end-to-end

Why Windward

• High-impact work with global relevance
• Tight-knit, elite team with minimal bureaucracy
• Ownership from day one, autonomy to move fast
• Work on some of the world’s most interesting problems at the edge of technology and geopolitics
• Hybrid work from our London office (Blackfriars), 3 days a week in-office
• Travel across Europe expected, approximately 25 - 30%, at times on short notice