Consultant, Software Engineer — Forward Deployed Engineering

Nationwide Mutual Insurance•Columbus, OH

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Consultant, Software Engineer — Forward Deployed Engineering builds and continuously improves reusable enterprise capabilities that help teams deliver and operate AI solutions more safely, quickly, consistently, responsibly, and economically. Working within cross-functional product and platform teams, the role designs, develops, integrates, deploys, and supports capabilities including the AI Portal and Model Catalog, LLM-as-a-Service, model access, AgentCore, MCP services, HoneyHive, evaluation and observability tooling, guardrails, and developer enablement. The role consumes and extends shared capabilities provided by AI Platform Engineering, collaborates with that organization on reusable patterns and service interfaces, and avoids duplicating platform capabilities in solution-specific implementations. It is accountable for the production readiness, reliability, security, privacy, observability, supportability, and cost effectiveness of delivered AI solutions and services. The position calls for strong AI, software, cloud, and platform engineering skills, along with experience in model integration, agent development, DevSecOps, security and privacy, governance, reliability, and cost management. The engineer is expected to deliver outcomes independently, influence technical decisions, and improve reuse, developer experience, cost visibility, and enterprise adoption. This role follows a hybrid schedule, with in-office presence two days per week, and candidates must be within commuting distance of Columbus, Ohio; Des Moines, Iowa; or Scottsdale, Arizona. Current internal associates working remotely may also be considered. The role does not qualify for employer-sponsored work authorization, and Nationwide does not participate in the STEM OPT Extension program. In the broader Software Engineer role description, the engineer mentors and guides others in delivering high-quality, cost-effective technology solutions to business partners, by creating software applications or modifying and supporting existing packaged or custom-built applications. The engineer applies secure software and systems engineering practices throughout delivery, provides technical advice, collaborates across teams, develops and deploys software, champions DevSecOps, and manages multiple project priorities. The position reports to a Technology Manager/Director and is exempt from overtime eligibility. Associates may have on-call responsibilities after normal working hours and/or on weekends.

Requirements

Six or more years of programming, software engineering, or systems analysis experience.
Hands-on technical leadership experience leading project teams and setting technical direction.
Proficiency in one or more programming languages such as Java, C++, Python, and JavaScript.
Knowledge of the software development lifecycle.
Ability to tackle sophisticated business and development problems.
Ability to thrive in a team environment.
Strong AI, software, cloud, and platform engineering skills.
Experience with model integration, agent development, DevSecOps, security and privacy, governance, reliability, and cost management.
Ability to independently deliver outcomes, influence technical decisions, and improve reuse, developer experience, cost visibility, and enterprise adoption.
Must be based within commuting distance of Columbus, Ohio; Des Moines, Iowa; or Scottsdale, Arizona, except current internal remote associates may also be considered.
This role does not qualify for employer-sponsored work authorization; Nationwide does not participate in the STEM OPT Extension program.

Nice To Haves

Undergraduate studies in computer science, management information systems, mathematics, or a related field are strongly preferred.
Three years of project management experience preferred.
Insurance or financial services industry knowledge is a plus.

Responsibilities

Build and continuously improve reusable enterprise capabilities that support safe, fast, consistent, responsible, and economical delivery and operation of AI solutions.
Design, develop, integrate, deploy, and support AI capabilities, including the AI Portal and Model Catalog, LLM-as-a-Service, model access, AgentCore, MCP services, HoneyHive, evaluation and observability tooling, guardrails, and developer enablement.
Extend shared AI Platform Engineering capabilities, partner on reusable patterns and service interfaces, and avoid duplicating platform capabilities in solution-specific implementations.
Ensure delivered AI solutions and services are production-ready, reliable, secure, private, observable, supportable, and cost-effective.
Apply secure software and systems engineering practices throughout the delivery lifecycle to protect data and technology solutions from threats and vulnerabilities.
Mentor and train team members on design techniques, tools, and coding standards.
Provide strategic technical advice on using technology to achieve business and technology goals and strategy.
Drive cross-collaboration and execution of projects across multiple teams.
Analyze, develop, test, debug, document, and deploy moderately complex software according to standards and best practices.
Champion adoption and effective use of DevSecOps practices, tooling, and techniques to improve software quality, security, automation, and delivery efficiency.
Manage multiple medium to large project priorities, deadlines, and deliverables proactively.
Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage
Life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage
Paid time off: newly hired associates receive a minimum of 18 days per full calendar year, prorated quarterly based on hire date
Nine paid holidays
Eight hours of Lifetime paid time off
Eight hours of Unity Day paid time off
401(k) with company match
Company-paid pension plan
Business casual attire