Forward Deployed Engineering
Embed experienced AI architects and engineers within client delivery teams.
Definition
Add hands-on AI engineering capability where your team needs it.
In brief: Forward Deployed Engineering embeds OB360 AI architects and engineers inside a client’s delivery team. They work in the client’s real systems to deliver scoped engineering outcomes, help make architecture decisions and transfer implementation knowledge to the client’s own engineers.
Forward Deployed Engineering gives product and enterprise teams access to specialist architects and engineers working closely with their existing delivery organization. The model focuses on practical collaboration: understanding client systems, delivering scoped engineering outcomes, helping make architecture decisions and transferring implementation knowledge. Engagement structure and staffing are agreed for each client need.
Problems
Designed around your business
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Architecture before tools
We define the business workflow, constraints and right level of AI before choosing implementation patterns.
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Engineering accountability
Our work spans concept, integration, software delivery and handover.
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Controlled enterprise AI
We design with boundaries, permissions, human review and evaluation in mind.
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Specialist depth
Agents, graph intelligence, document AI, applied ML and cloud-native engineering can be combined when the problem requires them.
Who it is for
Where this service fits
- Enterprise leaders planning practical AI adoption.
- Software and product teams extending existing applications.
- Business and engineering teams connecting workflows, knowledge and systems.
Use cases
An illustrative business scenario
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A possible engagement
A software company has an established engineering team but needs help introducing AI agents, RAG workflows or cloud-native AI components under an active product roadmap.
Related case studies
- Multi-Agent Business Intelligence for a Multi-Channel Enterprise (delivered client engagement)
- Enterprise Knowledge Retrieval and Workflow Automation (delivered client engagement)
- Connected Farmer Intelligence Using Knowledge Graphs (delivered client engagement)
Approach
From requirements to delivery
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Understand
Agree the business problem, users, existing systems and constraints.
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Design
Choose the architecture, data boundaries and appropriate human oversight.
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Engineer
Implement the agreed scope with testing and integration.
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Enable
Share implementation knowledge and agree operational next steps.
Technology
Typical scope
- Flexible engineering engagement
- Project integration
- AI implementation
- Architecture mentoring
- Handover and capability building
Delivery
Delivery model
Engagement scope, team structure and delivery priorities are agreed around your business needs.
Specific deliverables and implementation boundaries depend on the agreed engagement.
What to expect from an engagement
Embedded engineering contribution, architecture support, integrated code and delivery practices, collaboration, and knowledge transfer.
Questions
Questions about this service
Is Forward Deployed Engineering the same as traditional staffing?
The emphasis is collaborative solution delivery and specialist capability embedded into the client environment, not simply filling a job vacancy.
Can this work connect to our existing software?
OB360 can integrate AI capabilities with existing applications, data and APIs, with access boundaries defined for the engagement.
How do we start?
Discuss your workflow and constraints with OB360 to agree the relevant discovery and engineering scope.
What is a forward deployed engineer?
A forward deployed engineer is embedded with a customer’s teams to build and deploy a solution inside the customer’s real operating environment, instead of working at a distance from a fixed specification.
When does Forward Deployed Engineering fit best?
It fits when requirements cannot be fully known up front, or when a team with an active roadmap needs specialist capability in AI agents, RAG workflows or cloud-native AI components without pausing delivery.
Next steps
Related services
Explore complementary consulting and engineering services for your initiative.
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Agentic AI Consulting & Strategy
From business use cases and readiness assessment to architecture, governance and execution roadmap.
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Custom AI Solution & Product Engineering
Build AI-powered business applications and intelligent product capabilities aligned to real requirements.
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Knowledge Graph Solutions & Graph Intelligence
Turn disconnected entity records into relationship-aware intelligence with knowledge graphs, graph queries and business APIs.
Request Engineering Support
Tell us about your business workflow, users and existing systems. We will discuss the architecture, engineering support and next steps that fit your needs.