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Principal Backend Engineer, Forward Deployed
Principal Backend Engineer, Forward DeployedInvisible • San Francisco, California, United States
Principal Backend Engineer, Forward Deployed

Principal Backend Engineer, Forward Deployed

Invisible • San Francisco, California, United States
[job_card.variable_days_ago]
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  • [job_card.full_time]
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About Invisible

Invisible Technologies is the AI operating system for the enterprise. Our end-to-end AI Software Platform structures messy data, builds digital workflows, deploys agentic solutions, evaluates / measures impact, and mobilizes relevant human experts. Invisible has trained foundation models for more than 80% of the world’s leading AI model providers, including Cohere, Microsoft, and AWS, and we have the expertise to customize AI for any industry, function, or use case.

Invisible makes AI work in the real world. In 2024, we reached $134M in revenue and were named the #2 fastest growing AI company on the Inc. 5000.

About The Role

As a Principal Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) at Invisible, you'll lead high-impact, AI-powered solutions that reshape how our clients operate their most critical workflows. You won’t just build and deploy — you’ll drive the strategy, architecture, and execution of end-to-end systems, working directly with client.

This is a hybrid role : equal parts AI engineer, software builder, and technical consultant. It's perfect for someone who wants to be hands-on with models and close to the impact they generate.

What You’ll Do

  • Partner with delivery and executive stakeholders to scope, design, and lead implementation of AI-driven solutions
  • Identify transformational opportunities in messy, ambiguous workflows and turn them into repeatable systems
  • Lead architecture design and trade-off discussions across performance, scalability, cost, and reliability
  • Own projects from first discovery call through full deployment — including client-facing delivery, internal coordination, and post-launch iteration
  • Build shared infrastructure, reusable components, and internal playbooks to level-up the team
  • Coach and mentor mid-level engineers and help shape the culture of forward-deployed AI engineering at Invisible

What We Need

  • 12+ years of software engineering experience, including significant time spent building data, ML, or backend systems
  • Python & ML / LLM Frameworks : Deep proficiency in Python with hands-on experience using Hugging Face, LangChain, OpenAI, Pinecone, and related ecosystems
  • Deployment & Infrastructure : Skilled in full-stack and API-based deployment patterns, including Docker, FastAPI, Kubernetes, and cloud environments (GCP, AWS)
  • Platform Orchestration : Experienced with workflow orchestration libraries, pub / sub systems (Kafka), and schema governance
  • Data Management : Expertise in data governance and operations, including Unity Catalog and policy management, cluster / job orchestration, data contracts and quality enforcement, Delta / ETL pipelines, and replay processes
  • Strong product and system design instincts — you understand business needs and how to translate them into technical architecture
  • Experience building usable systems from messy data and ambiguous requirements
  • Excellent communication and client-facing skills; you’ve led conversations with technical and non-technical stakeholders alike
  • Proven experience owning projects from scoping through deployment in ambiguous, high-stakes environments
  • Be willing to be on-call for our customers when situations arise
  • Ability to travel roughly 25–50% of the time, sometimes short-notice trips—primarily across North America with occasional international roll-outs—to work directly on-site with clients
  • Strong engineering background demonstrated by a Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science and related fields OR equivalent professional experience
  • What’s In It For You

    Invisible is committed to fair and competitive pay, ensuring that compensation reflects both market conditions and the value each team member brings. Our salary structure accounts for regional differences in cost of living while maintaining internal equity.

    For this position, the annual salary ranges by location are :

  • Tier 1 :  $248,000 - $370,000
  • Tier 2 :   $225,000 - $336,000
  • Offers will also include bonus + equity + benefits
  • You can find more information about our geographic pay tiers  here . During the interview process, your Invisible Talent Acquisition Partner will confirm which tier applies to your location. For candidates outside the U.S., compensation is adjusted to reflect local market conditions and cost of living.

    Bonuses and equity are included in offers above entry level. Final compensation is determined by a combination of factors, including location, job-related experience, skills, knowledge, internal pay equity, and overall market conditions. Because of this, every offer is unique. Additional details on total compensation and benefits will be discussed during the hiring process

    What It's Like to Work at Invisible :

    At Invisible, we’re not just redefining work—we’re reinventing it. We operate at the intersection of advanced AI and human ingenuity, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible to unlock productivity and scale. Ownership is at the core of everything we do. Here, you won’t just execute tasks—you’ll build, innovate, and shape the future alongside world-class clients pushing the boundaries of AI.

    We expect bold ideas, relentless drive, and the ability to turn ambiguity into opportunity. The pace is fast, the challenges are big, and the growth is unmatched. We’re not for everyone, and we’re okay with that. If you’re looking for predictable routines, this isn’t the place for you. But if you’re driven to create, thrive in dynamic environments, and want a front-row seat to the AI revolution, you’ll fit right in.

    Country Hiring Guidelines :

    Invisible is a hybrid organization with offices and team members located around the world. While some roles may offer remote flexibility, most positions involve in-office collaboration and are tied to specific locations. Any location-based requirements or hybrid expectations will be communicated by our Talent Acquisition team during the recruiting process.

    AI Interviewing Guidelines :

    Our hiring team thoughtfully uses AI to support an efficient, engaging, and inclusive interview process. Since AI can also be a helpful tool for candidates, we've outlined expectations for using it ethically throughout your interview journey.

    Click here to learn more about how we use AI and our guidelines for candidates.

    Accessibility Statement :

    We’re committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact our Talent Acquisition team during the recruitment process at  accommodation@invisible.email .

    Equal Opportunity Statement :

    We’re an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

    Due to a high volume of candidates, Invisible may use automated decision-maker technologies to filter candidates based on response to our application questions and other provided information. Our use of automated decision-making enables us to be efficient by providing a manageable list of possible candidates that meet our mandatory hiring criteria. If you object to our use of automated decision-making please contact us.

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