Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) Lead

About Position:

The FDE Lead is the senior technical architect trusted by customers to drive complex technology conversations, shape solution direction, and establish immediate technical credibility. This role serves as the bridge between business vision and engineering execution, providing hands-on leadership across Full Stack Engineering, Cloud Platforms, Artificial Intelligence, Enterprise Architecture, and Digital Transformation initiatives. The ideal candidate will work directly with customer architects, engineering leaders, and business stakeholders to evaluate opportunities, define scalable solutions, challenge assumptions when necessary, and guide organizations through modernization and AI adoption journeys.

• Role: Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) Lead
• Location: All Persistent Locations
• Experience: Between 10 to 17 Years
• Job Type: Full Time Employment

What You'll Do:

• Act as the senior technical architect during customer engagements and establish credibility with customer technology leadership teams.
• Lead architecture discussions, evaluate requirements, define solution approaches, and provide technical direction for complex engagements.
• Translate business objectives into scalable technology solutions and implementation roadmaps.
• Evaluate customer environments and recommend modern architectures, frameworks, and technologies aligned with business goals.
• Drive technical decision-making, assess feasibility, identify risks, and provide architectural governance across initiatives.
• Lead proof-of-concept activities, technology assessments, and innovation programs to validate business value and technical viability.
• Provide full-stack architecture and engineering guidance across Java, Python, .NET, JavaScript, TypeScript, Node.js, React, Angular, and modern web technologies.
• Design scalable APIs, microservices-based platforms, event-driven architectures, and enterprise integration solutions.
• Drive best practices for software development, system design, performance optimization, and engineering excellence.
• Support modernization initiatives involving legacy application transformation and cloud-native development.
• Architect and guide solutions across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform environments.
• Design multi-cloud, cloud-native, serverless, containerized, and Kubernetes-based architectures.
• Build highly scalable, resilient, secure, and enterprise-grade platforms using modern platform engineering practices.
• Advise customers on cloud migration, platform modernization, infrastructure optimization, and operational excellence.
• Define infrastructure strategies that support scalability, reliability, security, and business continuity objectives.
• Design and lead Generative AI, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Agentic AI initiatives.
• Develop AI-powered solutions using OpenAI, Azure OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, Llama, Mistral, Hugging Face, and other emerging AI platforms.
• Architect intelligent agent solutions using LangChain, LangGraph, Semantic Kernel, LlamaIndex, CrewAI, AutoGen, and related frameworks.
• Guide implementation of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) architectures and enterprise AI solutions.
• Drive AI governance, responsible AI adoption, model lifecycle management, and secure AI implementation practices.
• Advise stakeholders on AI strategy, adoption roadmaps, business use cases, and operationalization of AI capabilities.
• Lead enterprise architecture initiatives using established architecture frameworks and best practices.
• Design cloud-native architectures, integration patterns, modernization strategies, and digital transformation solutions.
• Ensure alignment with enterprise standards, governance frameworks, and technology roadmaps.
• Promote Zero Trust security principles, identity management, encryption strategies, and cybersecurity best practices.
• Guide secure architecture reviews and ensure compliance with regulatory and organizational requirements.

Expertise You'll Bring:

• 10 to 17 years of experience in software engineering, solution architecture, enterprise architecture, or technology consulting roles.
• Extensive Full Stack development experience across Java, Python, .NET, JavaScript, TypeScript, Node.js, React, Angular, and modern application development frameworks.
• Strong expertise in API development, Microservices, Event-Driven Architectures, Enterprise Integration, and Distributed Systems.
• Proven experience designing and implementing large-scale enterprise applications and digital transformation programs.
• Deep understanding of AWS, Azure, and GCP cloud platforms and cloud-native architecture principles.
• Strong experience with Kubernetes, containers, serverless computing, DevOps practices, and platform engineering.
• Hands-on expertise in Generative AI, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Agentic AI technologies.
• Experience working with Large Language Models, AI orchestration frameworks, vector databases, prompt engineering, and LLMOps practices.
• Knowledge of LangChain, Semantic Kernel, LangGraph, LlamaIndex, CrewAI, AutoGen, and similar AI frameworks.
• Experience designing Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) solutions and enterprise-scale AI applications.
• Strong understanding of enterprise architecture frameworks, modernization approaches, and technology governance.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate emerging technologies and convert innovation into scalable business solutions.
• Proven experience leading Proof of Concepts (PoCs), accelerator programs, AI adoption initiatives, and platform modernization efforts.
• Strong knowledge of Zero Trust security, Identity and Access Management, encryption, compliance standards, and secure AI implementation.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, facilitation, and customer engagement skills.
• Ability to challenge assumptions, drive strategic technology decisions, and provide executive-level technical guidance.
• Strong consulting mindset with the ability to influence both business and technical stakeholders.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Culture focused on talent development with quarterly growth opportunities and company-sponsored higher education and certifications
• Opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies
• Employee engagement initiatives such as project parties, flexible work hours, and Long Service awards
• Annual health check-ups
• Insurance coverage: group term life, personal accident, and Mediclaim hospitalization for self, spouse, two children, and parents

Values-Driven, People-Centric & Inclusive Work Environment:

Persistent is dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We invite applications from all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities, and regardless of gender or gender preference. We welcome diverse candidates from all backgrounds.

• We support hybrid work and flexible hours to fit diverse lifestyles.
• Our office is accessibility-friendly, with ergonomic setups and assistive technologies to support employees with physical disabilities.
• If you are a person with disabilities and have specific requirements, please inform us during the application process or at any time during your employment.

Let's unleash your full potential at Persistent - persistent.com/careers

"Persistent is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind."