Forward Deployed Engineer
Groningen / hybrid·32–40 hours·€3,600–€4,400
The bridge between problem and solution. You don't work on tickets from a head office; you step into the client's operation to build solutions that actually work. From better healthcare and smarter government to breakthroughs in logistics, energy and science.
What will you do?
As a Forward Deployed Engineer you're the technical link between client and team. You understand that software fails without the right context, so you spend as much time talking with the client as writing code. Stakeholder management and advice weigh as heavily as the building itself. You enjoy short, fast projects with a lot of client interaction, working mainly at the front end where much still has to be shaped and where you demonstrate the business value.
- You get to grips with client processes and data challenges, both on site with the client and at the office.
- You shift the focus from shipping features to adding business value.
- You work with modern frameworks, cloud environments and CI/CD.
- You help shape architecture and technical choices.
- You work with clients and your team of developers and engineers to make maximum impact.
- You write clear documentation and carry out code reviews.
A workday at Researchable
You start with the stand-up, but instead of coding blindly you dive into the client's context. You see users' challenges up close, analyse complex data flows and translate them into concrete solutions for your team. In the afternoon you advise stakeholders on the course to take and manage expectations around scope.
You don't celebrate a shipped feature, but a solved business problem the client is genuinely helped by.
Your potential playing field
- Healthcare innovation: a kidney transplant app that saves lives and a diabetes self-help app we're building with leading US universities.
- Advanced AI tools with partners like AIMZ and LegalMike, and large-scale consortia: high-impact innovation projects with market leaders such as Philips and Vitens.
Who are you?
You love short-cycle building, iterating and improving, often with the focus on the Proof of Value and the Proof of Concept. You think along on technical choices, bring in new ideas and dare to work on things you're not yet an expert in. You enjoy working in a team, communicate clearly with clients and colleagues across disciplines, and take ownership of the code, the performance and the success of the product.
Must-haves
- At least 2 years of experience as a (Forward Deployed) Engineer, Software or AI Engineer, or IT consultant.
- University-level ability.
- Experience with modern programming languages (Python, TypeScript, Go or similar).
- Strong communication and empathy for the client, with a feel for business and sales.
- Knowledge of frameworks such as Ruby on Rails, Node.js or similar.
- Experience with frontend or full-stack development (React is a plus).
- Experience with CI/CD and Git.
- Experience with Scrum.
- Excellent command of English.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience with data engineering or AI product development.
- Affinity with DevOps or infrastructure as code.
- Experience across different types of organisations.
- Excellent command of Dutch.
What makes you strong
Collaboration
You work well in a multidisciplinary team and with clients. You align actively, share knowledge and keep shared goals central.
Quality-driven
You set the bar high for yourself and your code. You work precisely, mind performance, security and maintainability, and keep improving.
Autonomy
You take ownership, work independently and show initiative without being steered. You feel responsible for the end result.
Problem-solving
You analyse complex questions, think in possibilities and find practical, scalable solutions that fit the context.
Innovative
You're curious about new technology, experiment where it adds value and contribute to renewal within projects and the team.
Where you'll work
Researchable is the strategic AI partner from the north of the Netherlands. With a team of around twenty colleagues we combine AI development, software development and data engineering to help organisations decide better. Our goal: to improve 10 million lives. We work just as gladly for scale-ups and corporates as for universities and projects with lasting impact. We're building an inclusive team where everyone feels welcome, whether you're from the Netherlands or from further afield. We steer on craftsmanship and behaviour: instead of hard KPIs we work with competency reviews and reflection moments, three times a year.
The team
You work closely with sales, experienced consultants, developers, data engineers and AI specialists. We bring in UX expertise per project, so there's always a good match for the audience and the challenge.
What we offer
Pay & contract
- Gross salary €3,600–€4,400 per month
- 8% holiday allowance, paid monthly
- 4% pension contribution via Brand New Day or your own choice
- One-year contract with a view to permanent
- Travel allowance €0.23/km
Workplace & setup
- 32–40 hours per week
- Hybrid, with two office days as the norm
- Laptop on loan (or your own device)
- Tech Campus Groningen
- A free, healthy lunch every day
Growth & wellbeing
- €1,000 annual development budget
- Home-office budget for an ergonomic setup
- Flexible working hours
- Inclusive and accessible, work visa welcome
- Socials: board games, sport and drinks
Application process
- 1Intro conversation with Frank Blaauw, online or on site.
- 2Technical interview with our Lead Developer and CIO.
- 3Offer and start date by agreement.