Manager, Forward Deployed Engineering
About the Job
This is a field-leading engineering role for someone who likes hard deadlines, partial information, and high ownership. You will lead a small, mission-critical team responsible for making new operational systems work in the real world, then turning those wins into repeatable playbooks.
What You'll Do
Lead cross-functional deployments for new operational or manufacturing capabilities
Coordinate software, controls, test, and integration work under real timeline pressure
Support line launches across internal sites, partner settings, and select international efforts
Unblock critical-path issues and drive convergence across technical teams
Turn one-off deployments into scalable methods, tooling, and operating practices
Required Qualifications
Experience leading technical teams in high-urgency deployment or commissioning environments
Strong systems thinking across software, hardware, controls, or test
Ability to make decisions quickly and keep teams aligned under pressure
Proven record of driving execution where failure is visible and expensive
Comfort being highly hands-on when needed
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with forward deployed, field engineering, launch, commissioning, or new-site activation work
Experience in manufacturing, industrial, robotics, infrastructure, or other physical-system domains
Strong instincts for process design, escalation, and operational triage
Ability to translate heroics into systems
Experience operating alongside external stakeholders, funded programs, or strategic initiatives