AI Engineer - Forward Deployed
Edison Scientific · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $350,000 / year
- United States
Job highlights
- Embedded AI Engineer role at a science R&D organization.
- Own AI agent value creation and client relationships.
- Design, implement, and iterate on AI solutions.
- Troubleshoot issues and ensure adoption.
- Shape product roadmap with client insights.
About the role
About Edison Scientific
Edison Scientific builds and commercializes AI agents for science. Scientific discovery moves too slowly, and autonomous AI agents are how we intend to fix that. We're assembling a team of top researchers and engineers across AI and biology to build an AI scientist.
Role Overview
As a Forward Deployed Engineer, you'll be embedded directly with one of the world's leading science R&D organizations – taking full ownership of how Edison's AI agents create value in their environment. You'll need to deeply understand their science, their workflows, and their pain points, then determine where our platform can have the most impact. This isn't remote support or implementation consulting. You'll be on-site, building relationships with scientists and research leaders, identifying the highest-leverage problems, and shipping solutions in fast cycles – often end-to-end. You'll operate with a high degree of independence and serve as the bridge between what our platform can do and what the customer needs it to do, feeding insights back to our product and engineering teams to shape the roadmap.
Responsibilities
- Be embedded at a client site, understand their research workflows deeply, and take responsibility for maximizing the value Edison delivers to that organization.
- Map the customer's scientific and operational landscape to identify where AI agents can have the most impact – not just where they ask for help, but where the real leverage is.
- Design, implement, and iterate on production-ready integrations in fast cycles, often owning features end-to-end from architecture to rollout.
- Troubleshoot issues in real time, ensure reliability and adoption, and be the go-to technical contact for AI within the client organization.
- Capture pain points, unmet needs, and product gaps and work with our internal Applied AI and engineering teams to shape future capabilities.
Qualifications
- 2+ years of professional software engineering experience, with a track record of shipping production-grade software in fast-paced or ambiguous environments.
- Comfortable operating independently, making decisions with incomplete information, and driving outcomes without close oversight.
- Strong problem-solving skills and comfort navigating complex systems, debugging issues in real time, and owning features end-to-end.
- Proficiency in Python and/or TypeScript/JavaScript.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills – able to earn trust with scientists, executives, and engineering teams.
- Willingness to learn new scientific domains quickly and adapt to rapidly evolving priorities.
Bonus Points For
- Experience in life sciences, pharma, biotech, or scientific R&D – either as a researcher, consultant, or engineer working in these environments.
- Experience working with AI/ML systems, LLM-powered applications, or agent architectures.
- Background as a technical founder, forward-deployed engineer, or management consultant.
- A science degree or research experience alongside your engineering skills.
Compensation & Benefits
Compensation Range: $200K - $350K. Offers equity. Competitive salary and equity. Full healthcare coverage — we pay 100% of premiums for you and your dependents. Support for growing families, including a yearly new parent stipend and fertility coverage through Carrot. 401(k) company matching. $300 health and wellness benefit. Lunch is on us every day you're in the office, and dinner is on us when you're working late. Regular team offsites and company events. A fast-moving, mission-driven culture where smart people do their best work and actually enjoy doing it.
Key skills/competency
- AI Engineering
- Forward Deployed Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Python
- TypeScript
- JavaScript
- Problem Solving
- Communication
- Relationship Building
- Scientific R&D
Skills & topics
- AI Engineer
- Forward Deployed Engineer
- Software Engineer
- Python
- TypeScript
- JavaScript
- AI
- Machine Learning
- LLM
- Agent Architectures
- Scientific R&D
- Biotech
- Pharma
- Startup
- Client-Facing
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight experience with Python, TypeScript, AI/ML, and fast-paced environments. Quantify achievements in software engineering and client-facing roles.
- Craft a compelling cover letter: Express enthusiasm for Edison Scientific's mission and demonstrate understanding of the AI Engineer role and its client-facing nature.
- Prepare for technical interviews: Brush up on Python/TypeScript, AI/ML concepts, system design, and problem-solving scenarios relevant to scientific R&D.
- Showcase communication skills: Be ready to discuss how you build relationships and explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
- Research Edison Scientific: Understand their focus on AI agents for science and their impact on scientific discovery.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the typical day-to-day for an AI Engineer at Edison Scientific?
- As an AI Engineer at Edison Scientific, you'll be embedded with a client, deeply understanding their scientific workflows and identifying opportunities for AI agents to add value. This involves designing, implementing, and iterating on production-ready integrations, troubleshooting issues in real-time, and acting as the primary technical contact for AI within the client organization. You'll also capture feedback to inform Edison's product roadmap.
- What kind of scientific domains will I be working with as an AI Engineer?
- The job description emphasizes a willingness to learn new scientific domains quickly. While specific domains aren't listed, bonus points are given for experience in life sciences, pharma, biotech, or scientific R&D. This suggests you'll be exposed to cutting-edge research areas where AI can accelerate discovery.
- Is there an opportunity for career growth as an AI Engineer at Edison Scientific?
- Edison Scientific fosters a fast-moving, mission-driven culture where smart people do their best work. While specific career paths aren't detailed, the role's emphasis on independence, end-to-end ownership, and shaping the product roadmap suggests significant opportunities for professional development and growth within the company.
- What are the key technical skills required for the AI Engineer position?
- Proficiency in Python and/or TypeScript/JavaScript is a core technical requirement. Additionally, experience with AI/ML systems, LLM-powered applications, or agent architectures is highly valued. Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to debug issues in real-time are also crucial.
- How does Edison Scientific support its employees' well-being and development?
- Edison Scientific offers comprehensive benefits including 100% premium coverage for healthcare for employees and dependents, support for growing families (new parent stipend, fertility coverage), 401(k) matching, and a health and wellness benefit. They also provide daily lunch and dinner when working late, regular team offsites, and company events to foster a positive and collaborative culture.
- What does 'Forward Deployed Engineer' mean at Edison Scientific?
- A Forward Deployed Engineer at Edison Scientific is an AI Engineer who works directly on-site with a client organization. Their primary role is to understand the client's scientific and operational landscape, identify high-impact areas for AI agents, and ensure Edison's AI solutions create tangible value within that environment. It's a hands-on, client-facing role focused on end-to-end implementation and impact.
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