Senior Platform Engineer /Python Developer (Client Deployments)
(Often referred to as Forward Deployed Engineer, Customer Platform Engineer)
Location: Central London / Hybrid (3+ days in office preferred)
Type: Permanent, full-time
Industry: Data / AI / Financial Services
Tech: Python, Cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP), CI/CD
Working model: Small, founder-led engineering team
Salary: £90,000 - £120,000 DOE and open for discussion with the right candidate + Equity
The Opportunity
We are working with a highly technical, early-stage data and AI company that supports some of the most sophisticated institutions in the world.
The business has clear product-market fit, a strong roster of tier-one clients, and more demand than its current team can deliver. This hire is being made to increase delivery capacity, not to backfill.
This is a senior engineering role for someone who wants to work close to real-world problems: deploying complex systems into highly regulated, security-constrained environments and helping shape how a platform scales as the company grows.
What You’ll Be Doing
This role sits at the intersection of platform engineering and client deployment.
You will:
* Deploy a Python-based platform into client-controlled, often on-prem environments
* Work with strict data, security, and infrastructure constraints
* Own end-to-end technical delivery for multiple client implementations
* Manage and curate AI / data pipelines using client-specific data
* Interface directly with client engineering and technical stakeholders
* Contribute to core platform development alongside deployment work
* Help define boundaries between reusable product code and client-specific implementations
* Influence how deployment, infrastructure, and delivery processes evolve as the company scales
This is not a support role, and not pre-sales. It is hands-on, production engineering with real ownership.
The Kind of Engineer We’re Looking For
This role suits someone who enjoys ambiguity, autonomy, and responsibility.
We’re looking for:
* Strong Python experience in production environments
* Experience taking systems to production (CI/CD, cloud, infrastructure)
* Comfort working across cloud platforms (depth in one is fine)
* Experience with complex or regulated environments (fintech, healthcare, infrastructure, etc. helpful but not required)
* Confidence working directly with clients and technical stakeholders
* Evidence of initiative, project leadership, shaping systems, not just executing tickets
You do not need prior “forward deployed” experience, nor domain-specific knowledge. Strong fundamentals and good judgement matter more.
What Makes This Role Different
* Real impact: one hire materially changes delivery capacity and client outcomes
* Technical depth: real constraints, real systems, real complexity
* Autonomy: high trust, minimal bureaucracy, strong founder access
* Ownership: your decisions shape the platform and delivery model
* Visibility: your contribution is seen and rewarded quickly
* Equity: meaningful participation in the upside of the business
* Stability without VC pressure: founder-led, funded, no growth-at-all-costs culture
Practical Details
* Hybrid working, Central London office, ideally 3+ days a week in office
* Must be willing and able to pass standard background checks required by enterprise clients
* Occasional on-site client work as part of deployments
* No visa sponsorship available
Next Steps
This is a rare opportunity to join a small, high-quality engineering team at a moment where delivery, not vision, is the constraint. If of interest, please apply with an up-to-date CV. This is an urgent requirement so role interviewing now.