Forward Deployed Engineer, Applied AI

Help bring applied AI into the real world by building Python and LLM-powered solutions for defence customers, owning client relationships and turning real operational needs into software that works.

About SE3

SE3 Labs builds spatial intelligence and autonomy software for unmanned systems. We combine 3D computer vision, state estimation and AI to help autonomous platforms perceive their surroundings, know where they are and operate when GPS and other sensors become unreliable. Defence is a core application of our work today.

We are growing to a team of 100+ people. Join at a stage where you can shape our Forward Deployed team, help build the team and grow your responsibilities as the company expands.

Our founding team’s research has received more than 90,000 citations. You will work closely with technical founders and engineers with deep experience in computer vision and autonomous systems, turning that research depth into systems that work in the field.

As a Forward Deployed Applied AI Engineer at SE3 Labs, you’ll work at the intersection of software engineering, applied AI and customer delivery. You’ll collaborate directly with defence customers to understand their challenges, build LLM-powered solutions, and take ownership of projects from first requirements through to deployment. Our solutions are built to work in real operational environments, so you’ll also test and demonstrate them with customers in the field, not just at your desk.

This is a hands-on role where you combine coding with client engagement, helping shape both the solutions we deliver today and the opportunities we develop for tomorrow.

What You’ll Work On

• Applied AI Development: Build, test and integrate applications in which LLMs and other AI technologies play a central role, to solve practical customer problems. Python is our main language, but we care about the right solution, not the language. Turn emerging capabilities into usable software that can be deployed in real operational environments.

• Customer Discovery & Project Ownership: Work directly with customers to understand their workflows and to distinguish between what they ask for and what they actually need. Own your projects from scoping and realistic planning through development, testing and delivery. Coordinate with the Forward Deployed Team, handle changing requirements and keep customers informed.

• Field Testing & Troubleshooting: Test our solutions under realistic conditions, at our facilities in Erding but also at customer sites, training areas and exercises together with the armed forces. Observe how users actually work with the software, investigate issues on the spot and adapt quickly, so that you can show something better the next day.

• Customer Integrations: Develop and adapt our codebase to specific client requirements and integrate new functionality into existing systems, while keeping solutions maintainable and reusable for future customers.

• Demonstrations & Delivery: Prepare and run technical demonstrations, gather feedback and iterate. Make sure that what we build works in practice, not just in a demo.

• Relationship Building: Become a trusted technical point of contact for your customers. Identify emerging needs and potential follow-on projects.

Your Profile

• You have experience in a client-facing technical role, such as technical consulting, professional services, applied AI engineering or software implementation. You’re comfortable discussing requirements, explaining technical decisions and working directly with customers.

• You take ownership of problems and follow them through, from understanding customer needs to delivering a working solution.

• You bring strong software development skills and a solid grasp of software architecture. You can write, debug and improve code yourself rather than relying solely on high-level AI tools or prototypes. Python experience is a plus, but we’re more interested in how you build software than in which language you use.

• You speak German at a fluent or professional level and can confidently work with customers in German-speaking environments.

• You think on your feet, adapt when requirements change and work through unfamiliar technical or operational challenges without needing every step laid out for you.

• You’re curious about how customers operate and can translate ambiguous problems into practical solutions. You ask the right questions, challenge assumptions and focus on what delivers value.

• You want to work in defence and apply AI to real operational challenges, and you’re excited to join exercises and field tests with our customers.

• You enjoy hands-on development but are equally comfortable presenting a demo or discussing a problem with a customer.

• You’re comfortable working on-site in Munich and travelling regularly, primarily within Germany.

Especially Valued Bonus Skills

• Defence Experience: You have previously worked with defence or military customers and understand their operational environments, procurement processes or ways of working.

• Applied AI & LLMs: You have built and delivered LLM-powered applications or integrated AI capabilities into production software, ideally in response to specific customer needs.

• Customer Relationship Development: You have grown existing customer relationships, identified new opportunities and helped turn initial projects into longer-term partnerships.

• End-to-End Solution Delivery: You have taken a solution from an ambiguous customer problem through scoping, implementation, demonstration and deployment, adapting your approach as you learn more.

Perks & Benefits

• Real Ownership: Participate in SE3’s growth through our employee participation programme

• Work Environment to Excel at: Find a high-quality and modern toolset, flat hierarchy and a skilled, driven team which will push the limits together with you

• AI-boosted workplace: We empower every employee with best-in-class AI tools and agents, giving you unlimited access to the latest advancements and a true productivity edge

• 31 Paid Days Off: 30 vacation days plus your birthday off

• Well-being Access: Free membership to gyms, yoga, and wellness through EGYM Wellpass

• Team Offsites: We go on 2 company retreats per year, our last ones were in Italy and Greece

• Mentorship: Work closely with experienced engineers and get paired with a professional mentor to support your growth

Our Process

1. Intro Call (30 min): Let’s get to know each other and talk about your experience, motivations, and what you’re looking for next.

2. Hiring Manager Interview (45 min): We’ll explore your experience in more detail, give you a clearer picture of the role and its needs, and discuss technical fit.

3. Coding Exercise: A practical coding assessment to understand how you approach technical problems.

4. Technical Interview / Case Study (1 hr): We’ll dive into your experience with applied AI, Python, LLMs, client integrations, and solving real-world problems.

5. Team Lunch / Dinner: An opportunity to meet more of the team and get a feel for how we work together.