Senior Associate, Forward Deployed Engineer
USD 78k-143,500 / year
Posted on Oct 24, 2026
Known for being a great place to work and build a career, KPMG provides audit, tax and advisory services for organizations in today's most important industries. Our growth is driven by delivering real results for our clients. It's also enabled by our culture, which encourages individual development, embraces an inclusive environment, rewards innovative excellence and supports our communities. With qualities like those, it's no wonder we're consistently ranked among the best companies to work for by Fortune Magazine, Consulting Magazine, Seramount, Fair360 and others. If you're as passionate about your future as we are, join our team.
KPMG is currently seeking a Senior Associate, Forward Deployed Engineer to join our Clients, Technology & Innovation (CT&I) organization.
Responsibilities:
- Design, build, and ship full-stack AI-native systems, including user interfaces, APIs, data pipelines, and foundation model integrations, taking concepts rapidly from MVP to hardened production software
- Own the architecture, security, scalability, and resilience of your workstream to ensure mission-critical systems operate seamlessly under live enterprise workloads
- Execute within fast-paced two-to-six-week sprint cycles, iteratively refining solutions based on direct user and client feedback while surfacing technical constraints early
- Implement robust evaluation disciplines and harness tooling across model workflows, capturing learnings into modular, reusable components for broader team adoption
- Actively participate in client working sessions and discovery efforts, communicating technical concepts clearly and presenting working software through live demos and compelling narratives
- Pair closely with fellow engineers to elevate engineering standards through disciplined code reviews, automated testing, comprehensive documentation, and shared best practices
- Act with integrity, professionalism, and personal responsibility to uphold KPMG's respectful and courteous work environment
Qualifications:
- Minimum four years of recent, hands-on experience shipping secure, full-stack production software focused on data, ML, and AI-native applications (proficiency in modern languages such as Python, Go, Rust, or Java)
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university in a STEM field or five years relevant practical experience
- Proven track record hardening, scaling, and operating distributed systems within major cloud environments (Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud (GCP)), with hands-on experience in enterprise-grade deployments
- Deep technical familiarity with frontier LLMs, modern AI coding harnesses (e.g., Claude Code, Cursor), agent frameworks, and integration protocols (e.g., Model Context Protocol or tool-use standards)
- Demonstrated expertise across the end-to-end model loop, including context engineering, prompt optimization, automated evaluation tooling, and strategic model selection
- Entrepreneurial drive and comfort with ambiguity, characterized by strong technical leadership, a bias for shipping, and a history of owning outcomes (early-stage startup or founder experience is a strong plus
- Strong stakeholder-facing presence with the ability to translate complex architectures to diverse audiences
- A portfolio, GitHub repository, or code walk-through demonstrating shipped work is a plus
- Ability to travel domestically as needed
KPMG LLP and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“KPMG”) complies with all local/state regulations regarding displaying salary ranges. If required, the ranges displayed below or via the URL below are specifically for those potential hires who will work in the location(s) listed. Any offered salary is determined based on relevant factors such as applicant's skills, job responsibilities, prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications and market considerations. In addition, KPMG LLP is proud to offer a comprehensive, competitive benefits package, with options designed to help you make the best decisions for yourself, your family, and your lifestyle. Available benefits are based on eligibility. Depending on job classification, standard work hours, and years of service, KPMG LLP provides a Total Rewards Package that includes 401(k) and medical and may include dental, vision, disability and life insurance, personal well-being and Personal Time Off. Additionally, each year KPMG publishes a calendar of holidays to be observed during the year depending on your job classification and entity affiliation. Additional details about our benefits can be found towards the bottom of our KPMG US Careers site at Benefits & How We Work.
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KPMG LLP and its affiliates and subsidiaries ("KPMG") is an equal opportunity employer. KPMG complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding recruitment and hiring. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, color, creed, religion, age, sex/gender, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy, childbirth or other related condition, military/veteran status, genetic information, status as a victim of domestic violence or sexual abuse or any other legally protected status. The attached link contains further information regarding the firm's compliance with federal, state, and local recruitment and hiring laws.
KPMG recruits on a rolling basis. Candidates are considered as they apply, until the opportunity is filled. Candidates are encouraged to apply expeditiously to any role(s) for which they are qualified that is also of interest to them.
Los Angeles County applicants: Material job duties for this position are listed above. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness, and safeguard business operations and company reputation. Pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
