Managing Director, Forward Deployed Engineering - REMOTE

NTT DATA Services•Plano, TX

4d•$150,000 - $350,000•Remote

About The Position

NTT DATA is building a new Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE) capability to accelerate AI Service-as-Software, a key strategic growth area. This executive technical leadership role will build and lead the function globally, creating the field execution engine that brings AI products into strategic client environments. The leader will deploy high-caliber technical teams to shape, prototype, validate, and scale AI solutions, and convert client learning into reusable product and platform patterns. The role connects client demand, AI product strategy, and product engineering to help NTT DATA move from bespoke AI services toward repeatable, platform-led AI Native growth. It is distinct from traditional delivery, solution architecture, or technical pre-sales leadership. The position defines the FDE operating model, partners with product and engineering executives, supports strategic client engagements, and establishes repeatable approaches for secure, enterprise-ready AI deployments. The role is based in Plano, Texas, and is advertised as remote. NTT DATA notes that remote or hybrid arrangements may change based on client requirements and that employees near an office or client site may need to attend meetings or events in person. The starting target compensation range is $150,000–$350,000 per year, with possible incentive compensation based on individual and/or company performance. The position is eligible for company benefits.

Requirements

15+ years of experience in engineering, field engineering, solution architecture, enterprise platforms, AI/data products, product engineering, or technical delivery leadership.
Experience leading technical teams at scale, ideally 15–30 engineers or equivalent.
Strong technical fluency across AI, GenAI, agentic workflows, data platforms, cloud architecture, APIs, integrations, enterprise applications, and software delivery.
Proven ability to work directly with senior client, business, and technology stakeholders in complex enterprise environments.
Experience translating ambiguous business problems into practical, deployable technical solutions.
Strong understanding of how field-built solutions can become scalable product capabilities.
Experience working across product, engineering, sales, delivery, architecture, security, and client teams.
Ability to build operating models, delivery standards, team structures, and execution rhythms in a scaling environment.
Executive presence and ability to influence across a global, matrixed organization.

Nice To Haves

Experience in Forward Deployed Engineering, field engineering, solutions engineering, platform engineering, technical product leadership, or enterprise AI delivery.
Experience in a global systems integration, consulting, enterprise software, SaaS, cloud, or AI platform environment.
Experience with Service-as-Software, productized services, or platform-led delivery models.
Experience building repeatable deployment patterns from client-specific implementations.
Experience partnering with product and engineering leaders to convert field learning into roadmap priorities and scalable product capabilities.

Responsibilities

Build and lead a high-impact Forward Deployed Engineering team of up to 20 engineers, combining AI engineering, solution architecture, industry/domain expertise, and client-facing technical credibility.
Define the FDE operating model, including engagement rules, delivery standards, escalation paths, handoff models, and interfaces with product, engineering, sales, industry, and delivery teams.
Deploy FDE teams into priority client and industry opportunities to shape AI solution hypotheses, prototypes, MVPs, pilots, and production deployments.
Partner with the Executive, AI Solutions Product Leader to turn field learning into product roadmap recommendations, reusable platform capabilities, and productization opportunities.
Work with Product Engineering to turn validated field solutions into scalable, secure, enterprise-ready product capabilities.
Support strategic pursuits and executive client conversations with technical credibility, solution clarity, demos, prototypes, and deployment plans.
Establish reusable deployment patterns, reference architectures, templates, integration assets, and solution playbooks to reduce bespoke delivery and improve speed to value.
Promote a 70% standardized / 30% configurable model for AI Service-as-Software offerings to improve repeatability, scalability, and margin potential.
Recommend FDE deployment priorities based on client demand, strategic value, product learning potential, technical feasibility, and commercial relevance.
Track field impact using measures such as deployment quality, time to prototype, time to client value, reusable patterns created, productization candidates identified, client feedback, deployment repeatability, and team health.