Director, Forward Deployed AI Engineering
Who We Are
Traba is building a world where the global supply chain operates at peak efficiency. We are a technology company that enhances the productivity and potential of the industrial supply chain by connecting businesses with reliable workers. We leverage location monitoring, predictive algorithms, machine learning, AI, computer vision, and other advanced technologies to drive an unparalleled customer experience.
We’re proud to be backed by some of the world’s best investors, including Founders Fund, Khosla Ventures, and General Catalyst.
The Role
If you’ve ever wanted to build an engineering organization from scratch, partner directly with industrial CEOs to design real-world AI systems, and operate like a technical founder inside a high-growth startup, this is your chance.
This quarter, we are launching Traba Atlas, our AI engineering arm embedding elite engineers inside industrial enterprises to build AI agents and automation to deliver step-function productivity gains across manufacturing and logistics, in the U.S. and beyond.
As the Director of Forward Deployed AI Engineering, you’ll take Atlas from concept to reality, owning everything from playbook design to GTM alignment to on-site deployments. You’ll partner with our Sales and Product leaders to translate customer pain points into high-ROI AI systems that deliver measurable impact. This is the rare opportunity to define how AI touches the physical world.
What You’ll Do:
Build and own the Atlas FDE playbook from zero to one, defining how engineers embed with our industrial customers
Partner with C-suite executives in manufacturing, logistics, and distribution to identify automation and AI opportunities
Lead rapid on-site discovery and deployment sprints to prove ROI within weeks
Lead from the front by being fully comfortable building AI agents for the first iterations of FDE engagements
Collaborate with Product and Data teams to turn customer insights into scalable platform solutions
Recruit and mentor the first generation of forward-deployed engineers and TPMs
Influence Traba’s AI roadmap by translating ground-truth customer needs into product requirements
What We’re Looking For:
7+ years in hybrid technical and customer-facing roles such as Forward-Deployed Engineer, Solutions Architect, AI Strategist, or Product Lead
Experience at Palantir, Anduril, C3.ai, Snorkel.ai, Scale AI, or similar organizations where software meets the real world
Track record of leading complex deployments from inception to production
Deep experience with data systems, ML or AI applications, and systems design
Executive communication and stakeholder management skills
Entrepreneurial mindset and excitement to build from zero to one
Ability to travel, 25-50% of the time
Bonus: Experience deploying AI or automation for manufacturing or logistics organizations
Salary Range Details:
The compensation range for this position is set between $210,000 and $260,000, reflecting our market analysis and other relevant considerations. However, exceptions may be made for candidates with qualifications that significantly differ from those outlined in the job description. We also offer a highly competitive equity package designed to ensure you share meaningfully in the long-term success and upside of the business.
Benefits & Perks
📈 Start-up equity
💰 Competitive salary
🩺 100% paid health, dental & vision coverage
🍽️ Dinner via DoorDash + free DashPass (and stocked NYC office kitchen)
🚍 Commuter benefits
🏋🏽♂️ Gympass membership
✚ Additional: One Medical membership, HSA via Optum, Talkspace, Teledoc Health, HealthAdvocate