Data Engineer, Forward Deployed Engineer

Forward Deployed Data Engineer

At Kyndryl, we design, build, manage and modernize the mission-critical technology systems that the world depends on every day. We are always moving forward – always pushing ourselves to go further in our efforts to build a more equitable, inclusive world for our employees, our customers and our communities.

Within our newly established Lab, we design, build, and deploy real-world enterprise technology where it creates the greatest physical impact. We operate under a modern triad delivery model, combining deep engineering, design, and business strategy to deliver outcomes that keep global industries moving forward.

As a Forward Deployed Data Engineer, you are the builder whom customers ask for by name. You will serve as a critical bridge between complex business challenges and scalable data solutions, operating at the intersection of AI innovation and real-world impact. Operating as a technical anchor, you will design, deploy, and refine the high-performance data infrastructure, pipelines, and context engines that fuel next-generation artificial intelligence, machine learning, and autonomous workflows in live customer environments.

This is a dynamic, highly collaborative, and hands-on role. Operating in a hybrid model out of our Lab with a minimum of three days in-office, you will work directly alongside architects, software engineers, and client stakeholders in rapid-prototype cycles. You will take true ownership of outcomes, moving quickly from scoping and building initial proof-of-concepts to deploying hardened, production-ready systems that generate immediate business value for our customers.

Forward Deployed Pipeline Architecture & Optimization

• Design, optimize, and maintain scalable ETL/ELT pipelines to support high-volume batch processing and low-latency real-time streaming.
• Architect distributed systems and database models across hybrid and cloud-native environments, ensuring they are optimized for performance, scale, and cost.
• Diagnose, debug, and resolve complex performance bottlenecks across diverse database schemas and distributed data layers.

AI Grounding & Context Engineering

• Deploy, index, and manage vector databases and semantic layers specifically tailored for high-context AI search, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and agent memory structures.
• Construct robust, secure, and high-throughput API endpoints that enable autonomous systems to interact dynamically with complex, distributed datasets.
• Design and configure feature stores to support active machine learning pipelines and real-time inference loops.

Data Quality, Observability & Compliance

• Implement modern data quality and pipeline observability frameworks to ensure clean, high-fidelity data delivery to downstream systems.
• Log pipeline activities, track metadata lineage, and set up automated testing loops to systematically prevent schema drift.
• Ensure all built technical solutions align seamlessly with strict industry compliance, security, and data protection regulations.

Field Intelligence & Platform Evolution

• Capture deployment insights, document real-world best practices, and feed these learnings back into Kyndryl's core technology platforms and frameworks to accelerate future customer implementations.
• Collaborate seamlessly across global teams and practices, cutting through organizational silos to prioritize the right customer outcome.
• Balance rapid software delivery and field prototyping with long-term platform stability, reducing technical debt as solutions mature.

Kyndryl currently does not require employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, however, if you are hired to work at a client, customer, or partner location, you may be required to show proof of vaccination to align with their respective COVID-19 vaccination policies. Those who believe they are eligible may apply for a medical or religious accommodation prior to the start of employment.

You're good at what you do and possess the required experience to prove it. However, equally as important – you have a growth mindset; keen to drive your own personal and professional development. You are customer-focused – someone who prioritizes…