Forward Deployed AI Engineer - Washington DC

Description

Windward is the maritime AI leader helping governments and enterprises navigate risk, compliance, and geopolitical uncertainty across global trade. Our platform transforms massive unstructured datasets into real-time, actionable insights. From intercepting dark fleet tankers to predicting supply chain disruptions, we enable confident, data-driven decisions that keep global trade flowing safely.

We are seeking a Forward Deployed AI Engineer to be the hands-on builder, charting new waters at customer sites. You'll lead technical deployments for US public sector accounts, turning complex maritime challenges into working solutions in days. This is where code meets the ocean - you'll ship features that matter, from pilot to production.

What will you do?

• Lead deployments for strategic customers, on-site when needed in DC
• Build demo-ready POCs that evolve into production-grade solutions at maritime speed
• Develop microservices, APIs, and integrations connecting Windward's intelligence to customer workflows
• Transform maritime and geospatial data into operational insights that drive decisions
• Partner with Product and Engineering to navigate field learnings back to our roadmap
• Work directly with analysts and operators to solve real maritime workflows

Requirements

Who Are You?

• 2+ years software development experience. Strong in Python or JavaScript/TypeScript; comfortable with APIs, data pipelines, AWS, containers, and SQL
• GenAI experience - you've shipped features using LLMs and understand the AI seascape
• Customer-facing delivery experience in forward deployed, solutions engineering, or similar roles where you owned outcomes end-to-end
• Clear communicator with strong writing and live demo skills. Comfortable navigating high-trust, high-velocity environments
• DC based. Regular on-site work with agencies
• A US citizen. Active clearance preferred (TS/SCI ideal); at minimum, clearance eligible
• Experience with geospatial, maritime, trade, logistics, or ATO-aware delivery - an advantage 

This isn't a sales engineering role. This is a builder's role - where you'll work at the intersection of data and impact, writing code, integrating APIs, and shipping solutions that keep global trade moving safely and efficiently. Join us where innovation meets the ocean!