Forward Deployed Engineer

Akeneo•Boston, MA

25d•$140,000 - $160,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Akeneo is seeking a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) to bridge the gap between consulting and engineering. This hybrid role is designed for a "Customer-Minded Engineer" who acts as the technical heartbeat of strategic customer engagements. The FDE will be on the front lines, embedded with clients, and empowered to build technical bridges that turn high-level strategy into high-performance reality. This role involves solving complex product data orchestration challenges for global enterprises, interacting with customers of varying technical acumen, and providing solutions that may not have existed previously. The FDE will see their solutions transform how global brands manage and move data in real-time, guide customers through changes, and have the autonomy to design bespoke integration patterns and influence the core product roadmap by acting as the "Voice of the Field" for R&D teams. It offers the deep technical challenge of a Senior Engineer with the strategic influence and variety of a Strategic Consultant.

Requirements

Deep understanding of RESTful APIs, webhooks, and data flows.
Proven experience integrating SaaS platforms with complex client ecosystems (ERPs, PLMs, E-commerce) to ensure seamless, high-performance data synchronization.
Ability to perform deep-dive assessments of client environments, gather complex technical requirements, and design scalable architectures that balance business objectives with technical constraints.
A builder mindset with the ability to rapidly develop functional proof-of-concepts or custom code.
Ability to assess a client's current state and design a clean, performant Akeneo catalog structure; leveraging Product Models, Families, and Association Types, etc. - that ensures long-term scalability and seamless synchronization with downstream channels.
Proven experience configuring and implementing SaaS solutions, ideally in a B2B environment.
History of successfully guiding enterprise clients through the full deployment lifecycle.
Proficiency in creating high-quality documentation, solution blueprints, and integration plans (using tools like Lucidchart, Miro, or Visio) to communicate deployment strategies clearly to both clients and internal research & development.
Skilled at leading workshops and technical training sessions.
Ability to translate complex product jargon into functional knowledge for clients and partners.
Exceptional communication skills with the ability to explain high-level technical logic to non-technical stakeholders (C-Suite) without losing the strategic "why."
Comfortable in the grey area, taking extreme ownership of high-stakes or ambiguous technical decisions.
Significant years of experience in Software Engineering, Solutions Architecture, or Technical Consulting - specifically within SaaS, PIM, ERP, or E-commerce ecosystems.
Proficient in fullstack development (PHP/Symfony, Node, React - or similar).
Experience with Git, CI/CD, and Docker is essential.
Ability to manage multiple complex workstreams simultaneously, acting as the strategic technical leader for the customer.

Nice To Haves

Experience with PIM, ERP, or E-commerce ecosystems.

Responsibilities

Act as the technical heartbeat of strategic customer engagements.
Be on the front lines, embedded with clients.
Build technical bridges that turn high-level strategy into high-performance reality.
Solve complex product data orchestration challenges for global enterprises.
Provide solutions to customers with varying technical acumen.
Guide customers through the changes made.
Design bespoke integration patterns.
Influence the core product roadmap by acting as the "Voice of the Field" for R&D teams.
Perform deep-dive assessments of client environments.
Gather complex technical requirements.
Design scalable architectures that balance business objectives with technical constraints.
Rapidly develop functional proof-of-concepts or custom code.
Assess a client's current state and design a clean, performant Akeneo catalog structure.
Configure and implement SaaS solutions.
Guide enterprise clients through the full deployment lifecycle.
Create high-quality documentation, solution blueprints, and integration plans.
Lead workshops and technical training sessions.
Translate complex product jargon into functional knowledge for clients and partners.
Explain high-level technical logic to non-technical stakeholders.
Take extreme ownership of high-stakes or ambiguous technical decisions.
Travel to client sites (approx. 20-30%) to lead high-intensity workshops and oversee mission-critical "go-live" moments.
Manage multiple complex workstreams simultaneously.
Act as the strategic technical leader for the customer.

Benefits

25 days of annual leave
Flexible working hours
Hybrid setup (3-4 days working from home)
Option to Work from Anywhere for up to 30 days per year
$600 budget to enhance home office
$80 monthly sustainable transportation allowance
16 weeks of paid maternity leave
4 weeks of paid leave for the second parent
Gradual return to work program
2 paid volunteering days annually
Employee Resource Groups
$1,000 annual budget for personal professional development
Career paths
Internal mobility opportunities
Women in Leadership Programme
Structured company onboarding program
100% employer contribution for employees and their dependents for medical, dental, and vision benefits up to the set caps
401k with a 4% company match
Short-term and long-term disability insurance
Individual and confidential sessions with a mental health practitioner or coach