Forward Deployed Engineer, AI

As a Forward Deployed AI Engineer at Foster + Partners , you will work directly with architects, designers and business teams to transform real-world workflows into trusted AI tools and agents. You will lead the full lifecycle of AI solutions, from discovery and technical design through to deployment, evaluation and handover, combining software engineering expertise with applied AI, design technology and stakeholder collaboration to deliver measurable impact across the practice.

This role is ideal if you want to:

• Develop and deploy production-ready AI tools and agents that solve complex challenges across design and business functions.
• Work directly with end users to understand their workflows and translate requirements into practical technical solutions.
• Build integrations with leading design platforms including Revit, Rhino and Grasshopper.
• Design and evaluate advanced agent workflows using the latest developments in large language models and automation.
• Contribute reusable components, share knowledge with colleagues and help shape the adoption of AI across the practice.

What you will bring to the team:

• A degree in computer science, software engineering or equivalent professional experience.
• Strong programming skills in Python and C#, with TypeScript experience advantageous.
• Hands-on experience with the RhinoCommon and Grasshopper SDK, the Revit API, or comparable design software development environments.
• Proven experience delivering end-to-end LLM applications, including agents with tool calling and structured workflows.
• Experience building retrieval and document-processing pipelines involving parsing, embeddings, search and evaluation.
• The ability to work effectively with non-technical stakeholders and convert user needs into reliable software solutions.
• Excellent communication skills, sound judgement when handling sensitive information and a pragmatic approach to delivery within defined timeframes.

What we offer:

We offer a benefits package designed to help you thrive professionally and personally. This includes: private medical insurance for you and your family; life assurance; personal travel insurance; access to a range of wellbeing support, comprising virtual GP services, mental health support and lifestyle coaching; as well as discount programmes for various retailers. On our London campus, we have subsidised catering facilities and host regular social events, and sports activities, for everyone to enjoy.
To support you in building a meaningful career, the practice offers opportunities to develop both your technical and non-technical skills through continuous learning, professional development support, and knowledge sharing and insights from experienced colleagues.
If our designs spark your curiosity and you would like to contribute to solving complex challenges with local and global impact, we invite you to join our team. You’ll be challenged and inspired, collaborating on extraordinary projects in an environment designed to cultivate excellence.

Department

Applied R+D

Employment Type

Permanent - Full Time

Workplace type

Hybrid