Data Engineer, Forward Deployed Engineer

Job description

Who We Are At Kyndryl, we design, build, manage and modernize the mission-critical technology systems that the world depends on every day. So why work at Kyndryl? 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. The Role At Kyndryl, we don't just build technology—we deploy it where it matters most, driving scalable technology modernization and mission-critical transformations for the world's leading enterprises. 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. Who You Are Who You Are 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 customer success in their work. And finally, you’re open and borderless – naturally inclusive in how you work with others. As a Forward Deployed Engineer, you thrive in dynamic, fast-moving environments and are highly comfortable navigating ambiguity. You are passionate about translating messy, real-world data challenges into elegant software solutions, and you value building strong, trust-based relationships with both technical teams and client stakeholders. Required Skills and Experience Strong, production-grade coding proficiency in Python and advanced SQL optimization. Practical experience designing, building, and orchestrating ETL/ELT pipelines using tools such as Airflow, dbt, and Kafka. Extensive technical expertise in database modeling, distributed computing, and deploying resources within cloud-native environments (AWS, Azure, or GCP). Hands-on experience implementing vector databases (e.g., Pinecone, Milvus, Chroma, Weaviate) and vector indexing strategies for high-context search. Working knowledge of data quality, pipeline lineage, and modern data observability tools (e.g., Great Expectations, DataHub). Cloud-native technical certifications on AWS, Azure, or GCP, or a demonstrated willingness to achieve certifications during your journey with us. Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a closely related technical field, or equivalent practical professional experience. Preferred Skills and Experience Prior experience designing and implementing data pipelines in highly regulated industries, such as Financial Services, Healthcare, or the Public Sector. Hands-on experience scaling deployments using containerization tools such as Docker and Kubernetes. Familiarity with emerging semantic modeling techniques, metadata management, and modern integration patterns for AI agent architectures. Experience building and monitoring CI/CD pipelines, utilizing version control (Git & GitHub), and delivering software under Agile methodologies. Advanced technical certifications in specialized database engineering, data architecture, or machine learning. Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, or a related discipline. Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) Statement All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The compensation range for the position in the U.S. is - $143,640 to $273,000 based on a full-time schedule. Your actual compensation may vary depending on your geography, job-related skills and experience. For part time roles, the compensation will be adjusted appropriately. The pay or salary range will not be below any applicable state, city or local minimum wage requirement. There is a different applicable compensation range for the following work locations: California (San Francisco Bay Area): $172,440 to $327,600 California (All Other): $158,040 to $300,360 Colorado: $143,640 to $273,000 Massachusetts $143,640 to $300,360 New York City: $172,440 to $327,600 Washington: $158,040 to $300,360 Washington DC: $158,040 to $300,360 "This position will be eligible for Kyndryl’s discretionary annual bonus program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Kyndryl’s applicable plans. You may also receive a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical and dental coverage, disability, retirement benefits, paid leave, and paid time off. Note: If this is a sales commission eligible role, you will be eligible to participate in a sales commission plan in lieu of the annual discretionary bonus program. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis." Being You Diversity is a whole lot more than what we look like or where we come from, it’s how we think and who we are. We welcome people of all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. But we’re not doing it single-handily: Our Kyndryl Inclusion Networks are only one of many ways we create a workplace where all Kyndryls can find and provide support and advice. This dedication to welcoming everyone into our company means that Kyndryl gives you – and everyone next to you – the ability to bring your whole self to work, individually and collectively, and support the activation of our equitable culture. That’s the Kyndryl Way. What You Can Expect With state-of-the-art resources and Fortune 100 clients, every day is an opportunity to innovate, build new capabilities, new relationships, new processes, and new value. Kyndryl cares about your well-being and prides itself on offering benefits that give you choice, reflect the diversity of our employees and support you and your family through the moments that matter – wherever you are in your life journey. Our employee learning programs give you access to the best learning in the industry to receive certifications, including Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Skillsoft, and many more. Through our company-wide volunteering and giving platform, you can donate, start fundraisers, volunteer, and search over 2 million non-profit organizations. At Kyndryl, we invest heavily in you, we want you to succeed so that together, we will all succeed. Get Referred! If you know someone that works at Kyndryl, when asked ‘How Did You Hear About Us’ during the application process, select ‘Employee Referral’ and enter your contact's Kyndryl email address.