Forward-Deployed Engineering Lead
Lead embedded AI systems for enterprise in Warsaw: own architecture, delivery, and scaling from 5 to 50; hands-on coding, Polish fluency, equity, high ownership.
We usually respond within a day
Who we are
Wonderful is a hyper-growth applied-AI company — 500+ people in 15 months. We operate a Palantir-style model: small teams of practitioners, augmented by AI agents, embedded directly inside large enterprises to build and manage AI systems. Two to three people deliver what a 14-person consulting team used to. Every engagement ships working software and leaves behind reusable IP.
What you'll do
This is not an advisory role. You will be the senior technical leader embedded in client environments, turning AI ambition into actual deployed systems.
Own architecture, implementation, and deployment of AI systems and agentic workflows
Be the senior technical face for client stakeholders and leadership
Hire, grow, and lead delivery teams as projects scale, you'll grow teams from 5 to 50 people
Set engineering standards, documentation, and quality benchmarks
Translate complex technical concepts for non-technical decision makers
Contribute reusable IP and methodology that accelerates every future engagement
Win and deliver enterprise accounts in the Polish market — you will establish and lead the entire Poland operation from the ground up
What you need
Non-negotiable:
8+ years of backend, full-stack, or infrastructure experience: you must be comfortable reading and writing code
Proven founder or co-founder experience: an exit, significant funding raised, or a team built and scaled
Experience scaling engineering teams from under 10 to 50+ people
Track record of delivering complex, multi-month implementations inside large enterprise clients (think tier-1 banks, not SaaS startups)
Fluency in Polish — you will work on-site with local clients and the Warsaw team
Willingness to work 4 days per week on-site in Warsaw
High agency, extreme ownership, and the ability to operate independently with zero hand-holding
Strong signals:
Pedigree from high-growth, technically respected companies (Palantir, DeepSense, GitLab, or similar)
Mix of startup 0→1 build experience and enterprise client logos
Direct hands-on experience with production AI, LLM, or agentic systems
Forward-deployed or customer-facing engineering experience
Deep backend or full-stack expertise (mobile-only or frontend-only backgrounds will not work here)
What this is not
A stable, predictable 9-to-5 role
A position for someone looking for a Plan B
A role for pure people managers who haven't touched code in 5+ years
A fit for mobile-only or frontend-only engineers
A home for "job hoppers": if you've left roles every 12-18 months without a clear reason, this isn't it
Open to candidates with notice periods longer than 3 months
The environment
Intense, fast-paced, high-ownership. The culture mirrors an Israeli startup ethos — assertive, direct, energized by controlled chaos. You will be surrounded by people who move fast, ship hard, and don't wait for permission. If that excites you, you'll thrive. If you want structure and predictability, keep looking.
Hiring process
Recruiter screening call
Interview with Head of Operations, Poland
Technical deep dive interview
Final interview with Pawel O (Co-founder)
- Locations
- Warsaw
- Yearly salary
- $230,000 - $300,000
- Employment type
- Full-time
- Employment level
- First /Mid-Level Officials
- Recruitment Speed
- 21 days
- Additional Bonus
- Equity