Forward Deployed Engineer (GenAI & Solution Architecture) | Fast-Growing AI & Cloud Transformation Company

Job Description We are currently partnering with a fast-growing AI & Data consulting company in Japan that is actively expanding its Generative AI and Legacy Modernization division and is now looking for a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE). Please note that prior financial industry experience is NOT required. Annual Salary: ¥8M – ¥15M JPY Hybrid System: 3 ~ 4 remote days per week. JAPANESE BUSINESS LEVEL REQUIRED The company works directly with major financial institutions and enterprise clients in Japan, supporting large-scale digital transformation, Generative AI implementation, data and system modernization, cloud transformation, and legacy system transformation initiatives. While the company currently works primarily with clients in Japan, it is beginning to expand its activities internationally, with global projects starting to emerge as part of its continued growth. The company has two offices in Tokyo, both located in the Nihonbashi area. One serves primarily as the corporate and business office, while the other functions as the main engineering hub. The engineering office has a highly international environment, with the large majority of its members being bilingual engineers from diverse international backgrounds. English is commonly used within engineering teams, while Japanese remains important for communication with clients and other business functions. This combination provides an international engineering environment while offering the opportunity to work directly on large-scale transformation projects for some of Japan’s leading financial institutions and enterprise organizations. This position is part of the team responsible for deploying and expanding a proprietary AI-powered legacy modernization platform designed to help financial institutions modernize complex enterprise systems and introduce Generative AI into real-world business processes. As a Forward Deployed Engineer, you will work directly with clients to understand complex business and system challenges and translate them into practical technical solutions. Unlike a traditional consulting role focused primarily on strategy and recommendations, this is a highly hands-on technical position. You will be involved throughout the entire lifecycle, from problem definition and technical validation to architecture design, implementation, testing, and production deployment. You will work closely with client stakeholders, engineers, AI specialists, Product Managers, and consultants to design and implement solutions combining modern software architecture, cloud technologies, Generative AI, and Large Language Models (LLMs). Projects may include legacy system modernization, AI-powered business process transformation, Generative AI applications, technical PoCs, enterprise system integration, cloud migration, and client-specific AI solution development. This is an excellent opportunity for engineers who enjoy working at the intersection of Software Engineering, Solution Architecture, Generative AI, and Technical Consulting. Rather than working only on predefined technical requirements, you will have the opportunity to identify client problems, evaluate technical trade-offs, select appropriate technologies, design the architecture, and implement solutions that deliver real business impact. Key Responsibilities • Work directly with clients to understand business processes, existing systems, technical constraints, and modernization challenges • Translate ambiguous business and system challenges into clear technical requirements, architecture, and implementation plans • Design and implement technical solutions using the company’s proprietary AI-powered modernization platform • Lead technical initiatives involving legacy system modernization and Generative AI-based business transformation • Plan and execute technical validation, prototyping, and Proof of Concept (PoC) projects • Design system architecture and evaluate appropriate technologies based on client requirements • Develop and implement client-specific AI applications and system functionality • Build applications and solutions incorporating Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) • Evaluate technical trade-offs and drive technical decision-making with internal and external stakeholders • Support projects from initial technical validation through full-scale development and production deployment • Collaborate with client technical leaders, business stakeholders, Software Engineers, AI specialists, Product Managers, and consultants • Identify technical insights and requirements from client implementations and provide feedback to improve the company’s proprietary AI platform and product strategy Examples of Projects & Technical Challenges • Modernizing large-scale legacy systems used by major financial institutions • Designing and implementing Generative AI applications for enterprise business processes • Integrating LLMs into existing enterprise applications and workflows • Building PoCs and evolving successful prototypes into production-grade systems • Designing modern architectures for legacy system transformation • Supporting cloud migration and cloud-native modernization initiatives • Developing client-specific AI solutions and enterprise applications • Evaluating technical trade-offs across architecture, infrastructure, security, scalability, and implementation approaches • Working with complex enterprise environments involving security, authentication, authorization, networking, and system integration • Applying Generative AI to improve and automate complex enterprise development and business processes Requirements Requirements Required: • Professional experience designing and developing Web applications and/or enterprise business systems • Hands-on experience covering both architecture design / technology selection and software implementation • Experience working directly with clients or business stakeholders to understand ambiguous business or system challenges and translate them into technical requirements, system design, and implementation plans • Experience evaluating technical trade-offs and participating in technical decision-making while aligning with multiple stakeholders • Professional experience developing applications, PoCs, or business/system solutions using Generative AI and/or Large Language Models (LLMs) • Strong communication skills and the ability to bridge business requirements and technical implementation • Business-level Japanese communication skills Preferred: • Experience working directly with client technical leaders, business leaders, or senior stakeholders • Experience with 0→1 product or solution development • Experience leading projects from PoC through production deployment • Experience developing and improving systems incorporating AI and LLM technologies • Experience developing systems for financial institutions or large enterprise environments • Experience with large-scale system architecture, legacy modernization, or cloud migration • Experience selecting technologies and designing solutions based on business problems rather than being limited to a specific product or technology stack • Experience with enterprise security, authentication/authorization, networking, or infrastructure architecture • Experience working in cross-functional teams involving Software Engineering, AI, Product, and Consulting functions Ideal Candidate Profile This position is particularly suitable for: • Senior Software Engineers who want to expand into Solution Architecture and client-facing technical leadership • Tech Leads who remain hands-on with software development • Solution Architects with strong hands-on development experience • AI / Generative AI Engineers with architecture and client-facing experience • Technical Consultants with strong software engineering backgrounds • Engineers who enjoy taking ownership from problem definition through production implementation Benefits Benefits Compensation & Work Style: • Annual salary: ¥8M – ¥15M JPY • Location: Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo • Hybrid work style available (office + remote work combination) • Full flex-time system with no core hours • Flexible working hours: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM • Standard working hours: 8 hours/day • Performance-based bonus generally paid twice per year (June and December) Holidays & Time Off • Full two-day weekend system • 123 annual holidays • Paid leave • Refresh leave • New Year holidays • Parental leave • Condolence leave Benefits & Allowances • Defined contribution pension plan • Employee stock ownership program • Learning and self-development support • Book purchase and Udemy support • Internal and external networking support • Sports & wellness allowance • Annual health check support • Full influenza vaccination support including dependents • Full transportation reimbursement • Relocation support for eligible employees • Childcare / babysitter support • Congratulatory and condolence payments • Business trip allowances • Training and travel allowances • Full social insurance coverage