Data Idols
Director of Forward Deployed Engineering

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Director of Forward Deployed Engineering
Salary: £180K – £200K
Location: London (Hybrid)
Here at Data Idols, we’re working with an innovative technology business that is scaling a cutting-edge AI platform used by enterprise organisations around the world.
As demand continues to grow, they are looking for a Director of Forward Deployed Engineering to build and lead a new engineering capability responsible for delivering complex AI solutions into enterprise environments. This is a rare opportunity to define how AI engineering is delivered across major organisations while building a high-performing team from the ground up.
This role combines engineering leadership, technical strategy and client engagement. You’ll work with senior stakeholders to shape AI implementation programmes, establish engineering best practice and build repeatable delivery frameworks that can scale across multiple enterprise clients.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
The Opportunity
This is a highly strategic leadership role where you’ll be responsible for building an engineering practice rather than simply managing projects.
- You’ll recruit and develop exceptional engineers
- Define engineering standards and delivery methodologies
- Oversee the successful implementation of enterprise AI platforms across a portfolio of high-profile clients
- Help shape technical strategy while remaining close enough to delivery to influence architecture, engineering quality and client outcomes
Skills and Experience
- Extensive experience leading software engineering, AI engineering or enterprise architecture teams
- Proven track record of building and scaling high-performing engineering organisations
- Strong knowledge of modern AI technologies, large language models and agentic AI
- Experience delivering enterprise-scale cloud platforms and distributed systems
- Strong consulting and stakeholder management skills
- Commercial awareness with experience supporting business development and solution design


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If you are looking for a unique opportunity to build and lead one of the UK’s most ambitious AI engineering teams, while working on some of the most complex AI programmes in the market, please submit your CV for initial screening and further details.
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