Job Description

Forward Deployment AI Engineer

Systems Engineering, a Lyra Technology Group portfolio company, is looking for a talented and pragmatic Forward Deployment AI Engineer to design and deploy real-world AI solutions for our clients.

This isn't a research role — it's a builder role. You'll be developing AI agents, integrating LLMs, architecting data strategies, and deploying cloud-based AI systems that solve actual business problems for actual clients. You'll work hand-in-hand with the AI Process Consultant, taking business requirements and translating them into production-grade systems that people use every day.

If you're excited by the pace of AI development and want to do meaningful, applied work — this is the role.

Your work as a Forward Deployment AI Engineer will include several components:

• Build and deploy AI agents, LLM-powered applications, and intelligent automation solutions, primarily in the Microsoft ecosystem.
• Integrate large language models (LLMs) into client workflows via prompt engineering, fine-tuning, and API integration
• Design and implement data strategies, pipelines, and architectures that support AI use cases
• Develop and maintain APIs and system integrations that connect AI solutions to existing infrastructure
• Architect and deploy solutions on cloud platforms with a focus on reliability and scale
• Collaborate with the AI Solutions Consultant and clients to ensure technical solutions are aligned to business goals
• Apply responsible AI practices, including governance, bias evaluation, and explainability to every engagement
• Stay ahead of emerging AI tools, frameworks, and platforms and bring that knowledge into our practice

Our ideal Forward Deployment AI Engineer has the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Information Systems, Computer Science, Data Analytics, Engineering, or a related field; relevant experience may be considered in lieu of formal education
• 3+ years of software or AI/ML engineering experience with real production deployments
• Experience with Microsoft AI platforms, including Copilot for Microsoft 365, Azure OpenAI, or Azure AI Foundry, and their application in business environments
• Proficiency in Python and API/systems integration development
• Cloud platform experience
• Strong grasp of data architecture and pipeline design (SQL experience is a plus)
• The ability to explain what you're building and why you’re building it to technical teammates and client stakeholders alike

Preferred

• Experience with AI agent development and orchestration frameworks
• Prior work in a consulting or professional services environment
• Experience with the Microsoft AI ecosystem and how tools like Copilot and Azure AI can be applied to improve workflows and productivity

Who Thrives in This Role

• You are a builder who takes pride in creating things that work in the real world, not just in demos
• You can communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders - you don't hide behind jargon
• You approach problems with curiosity and entrepreneurial energy and proactively identify what's possible and pursue it
• You understand that the best solution is the one that the client can adopt, not just the most elegant one technically
• You have strong ethical instincts around AI: you think about risk, bias, and responsible use as part of your standard engineering practice
• You thrive in a collaborative, fast-moving environment and are comfortable working across multiple client contexts
• You stay current - the AI landscape moves fast, and so do you

The targeted base salary for this role is $120,000 - $150,000 per year and will operate out of the Systems Engineering Office on a hybrid basis.

Culture and Benefits:

The employees of Systems Engineering are its most valuable resources who have collectively made Systems Engineering a Best Places to Work Company in Maine for over a decade. The company prides itself on delivering great outcomes for our culture, clients, and community by cultivating a high-performing culture focused on continuous learning, collaboration, and community impact. Systems Engineering's headquarters is in Portland, Maine, in the heart of the Old Port in downtown Portland, positioned centrally to the waterfront, trails, parks, cultural events, and restaurants.

In addition to base pay, Systems Engineering supports people through benefits designed to sustain both work and life:

• Health & Wellbeing – Competitive medical, dental, & vision, benefits, employer-paid life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance, 24/7 Employee Assistance Program (EAP), onsite fitness facilities, daily stretch breaks, and free health coaching programs.
• Financial Wellbeing – Employer 401k matching contributions, short-term incentive plans (STIP), and free financial advising.
• Time & Flexibility – Paid Time Off starting with 17 days PTO, nine paid holidays, and hybrid work arrangements.
• Family Support – Paid parental leave & dependent care FSA programs.
• Professional Development & Growth Opportunities - Career mobility and professional development, with employer-supported training, learning, and certification opportunities, including tuition reimbursement benefits.
• Community & Culture - Paid community volunteer time, employer-charitable match programs, corporate golf membership, company-provided season tickets to local sports teams, employer provided parking, and regular company gatherings.

Due to the nature of our business and the requirements of ITAR regulations, this role may require access to controlled information and technology. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and be willing to undergo a thorough background check as part of the employment process.

Lyra Technology Group is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diverse perspectives and are committed to building an inclusive team.