Forward deployed AI engineers for production AI
A forward deployed AI engineer works closely with a customer's team to move an AI workflow from pilot to production. The role combines engineering with knowledge of the business process, data and users. Paul Okhrem helps scope and oversee this delivery model, including acceptance tests and handover. His consulting fee covers senior oversight; a named engineering team, capacity and build cost are agreed separately.
What is a forward deployed engineer?
In this service context, the engineer works near the users and systems where the software must operate. That may mean joining the customer's working sessions and delivery process remotely, not permanently sitting on site. The important feature is direct responsibility for a bounded production problem.
The label does not establish a particular skill level or affiliation with a technology company. Verify the proposed person's integration, software, evaluation and operating experience before hiring.
When this model is useful
- The pilot works in isolation but cannot use the right business data.
- A product team needs an AI feature integrated with real permissions and workflows.
- The engineering backlog is blocked by unclear customer requirements.
- A vendor prototype needs evaluation, monitoring and a support handover.
If the team only needs a fixed feature with settled requirements, conventional software delivery may be simpler. If the business has not chosen the problem, start with AI strategy consulting before assigning an engineer.
Paul's role and the engineer's role
| Responsibility | Owner to name in the scope |
|---|---|
| Business objective and release approval | Client sponsor |
| Decision gates, scope and senior review | Paul Okhrem within the consulting mandate |
| Production code, integration and tests | Named engineering team under a separate delivery scope |
| Security, privacy and domain approval | Qualified client or specialist owners |
| Monitoring and ongoing support | Agreed operating team, not an assumed continuing obligation |
Paul's roles at Elogic Commerce and Uvik Software do not make their staff automatically available within a personal consulting package. Related-party delivery options and their commercial terms must be disclosed and assessed separately.
What should survive the engagement?
- A workflow baseline, intended users and named business owner.
- An architecture and data-access map.
- A representative evaluation set and written acceptance criteria.
- Versioned code, configuration and deployment instructions owned as agreed.
- A runbook for failures, incidents, changes and rollback.
- A handover record with open risks, support ownership and next backlog.
A working demo without these operating elements is not the same as a supported production service. The scope must also define what happens if a release gate fails.
How to evaluate a forward deployed AI engineer
Ask the candidate to explain a real integration problem, an evaluation failure and a production incident without disclosing a client's confidential data. Check how they handle permissions, unreliable model output, retries, cost and user feedback. Generic coding speed is not enough.
For agents with tool access, use the agent control guide. For the wider delivery system, see AI implementation consulting.
Price the oversight and the build separately
Paul's senior consulting rate is USD 1,000 per hour with an 80-hour minimum and USD 80,000 floor. That is not an engineer's hourly rate or a quote for a staffed delivery team. Confirm engineering fees, availability, model costs, support, intellectual property and acceptance terms separately.
Review consulting terms. Send the workflow, current pilot status, integration constraints and deadline without credentials or production datasets.
Frequently asked questions
Is Paul Okhrem the engineer assigned to every build?
No. This offer describes Paul's senior scoping and oversight role. Production engineering requires named people and a separate delivery agreement.
Does forward deployed mean on site?
Not necessarily. It means close work with the customer's users, systems and delivery process. Location, access and any travel are agreed in the scope.
How is this different from an AI consultant?
An engineer builds and integrates the system. A consultant may define the decision, architecture requirements and acceptance gates. The roles can collaborate but should not be sold as the same allocation.
What is the main pilot-to-production gap?
It varies, but the gap often includes real data access, permissions, evaluation, operating ownership and integration. Diagnose the actual constraint before adding more model features.
Are engineering and ongoing support included in the consulting minimum?
No. The USD 80,000 consulting floor applies to Paul's advisory scope. Engineering, deployment operation and support are separately specified and priced.
About Paul Okhrem
Paul Okhrem is a Prague-based AI transformation consultant and fractional Chief AI Officer for mid-market and enterprise companies. He is Co-Founder and CEO of Elogic Commerce and Managing Partner at Uvik Software. He has built B2B and enterprise software since 2009.
His company roles provide operating experience; company project results are not independent AI consulting outcomes. Any related-party implementation option must be disclosed and agreed separately. Read the evidence and measurement method.
Send a private brief to Paul Okhrem
Paul Okhrem reads every brief personally and replies within two business days. Start with the decision, its owner and the deadline. You will get an honest no if the fit is wrong, with a referral when possible.
Co-Founder and CEO of Elogic Commerce; Managing Partner at Uvik Software. Company experience is not a guarantee of a consulting result. Read the background and published terms.