Forward Deployed Engineering Lead

n8n

Lead n8n’s Forward Deployment function to drive enterprise customer adoption and success. Build and scale deployment methodologies for strategic accounts while advocating for customers internally.

Posted 6/12/2026full-timeRemote • 🇩🇪 GermanySeniorWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Your main goal will be to build and lead n8n’s Forward Deployment function from scratch, turning our most strategic enterprise customers into long-term expansion stories through hands-on adoption, technical enablement, and repeatable deployment playbooks.
To do so, you’ll start as a hands-on player-coach while building the function, team, and methodology that will define how n8n supports enterprise deployments at scale; while we’re proving out the model, you will step into the role of Deployment Strategist, hiring and then partnering with the first FDE on initial engagements; once the decision has been made to scale the function, you will fully step into your leadership role and hire the remainder of the team.
Build the Forward Deployment function
Define how we select strategic accounts, scope engagements, run 5-day on-site boot camps, measure success, and hand off cleanly to Customer Success.
Create the operating model for a paired Deployment Strategist and Forward Deployed Engineer team, starting with your first FDE hire.
Decide when to build internal capability versus when to work with partners, and make clear recommendations to leadership.
Lead strategic enterprise deployments
Lead 5-day on-site engagements with enterprise customers, including executive kickoffs, closeouts, and the adoption narrative throughout.
Map customer organizations to identify champions, power users, decision-makers, and the cultural dynamics that influence adoption.
Build automation ROI stories in the customer’s language, helping them understand the business value of scaling n8n.
Turn field learnings into repeatable playbooks
Codify each engagement into reusable use-case plays so every deployment becomes faster, sharper, and more scalable.
Partner closely with the Forward Deployed Engineer to prioritize the problems that create the most customer value, not just the most technical interest.
Build a playbook library that helps future teams replicate successful deployments across similar enterprise environments.
Represent the customer internally
Own the feedback loop between what you see in the field and what Product needs to know.
Advocate clearly for customers when product gaps, technical blockers, or adoption risks stand in the way of success.
Give n8n a direct view into how large organizations actually deploy automation across teams, systems, and processes.

Requirements

What you’ll need

🚀 Forward deployment or implementation leadership: You have led enterprise customer deployments in a forward deployment, implementation leadership, or technical customer success role at a high-growth B2B software company.
🏢 Enterprise customer experience: You have been on-site with large enterprise customers and driven measurable adoption outcomes across complex organizations.
🛠️ Technical fluency: You do not need to write the code, but you understand technical architecture, can challenge decisions when needed, and can demo credibly to a CTO.
🧭 Organizational navigation: You know how to find the real decision-maker, build trust across levels, and manage the cultural dynamics that make or break deployment success.
👥 Hiring and coaching: You have hired, onboarded, or developed technical customer-facing talent.
⚖️ Strategic judgment: You know when to build a function internally versus when to bring in partners, and you have the conviction to make that case to leadership.
🌍 English fluency: You are fluent in English and can lead high-stakes customer conversations with clarity and confidence.
Nice-to-haves:
🗣️ European languages: You speak additional European languages that help you build trust with customers across the region.
🤖 Automation experience: You have worked with automation, workflow, integration, developer tools, or technical platforms used by IT, SecOps, or DevOps teams.
📈 Expansion mindset: You have helped turn initial enterprise deployments into broader adoption, renewals, or expansion opportunities.
🏗️ Zero-to-one leadership: You have built a new function, playbook, or operating model from scratch in a fast-growing software company.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive compensation 💸 – We offer fair and attractive pay.
Ownership 💪 – Our core value is to “empower others,” and we mean it—you’ll get a slice of n8n with equity.
Work/life balance 🏖️ – We work hard but ensure you have time to recharge:
Europe: 30 days of vacation, plus public holidays wherever you are.
US: 20 vacation days, 8 sick days, plus public holidays wherever you are.
Health & wellness 🩺 –
Europe: We provide benefits according to local country norms.*
US: Multiple low-premium, low-deductible medical plans with coverage for individuals and families—plus a no-cost premium HDHP option with a pre-seeded HSA—along with dental and vision coverage.
Future planning 💰 –
Europe: We provide pension contributions according to local country norms.*
US: 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% employer match.
Financial security 🛡️ –
Europe: We provide benefits according to local country norms.*
US: Company-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance, plus life insurance to support you and your loved ones.
Career growth 📈 – We hire rising stars who grow with us! You’ll get €1K (or equivalent) per year to spend on courses, books, events, or coaching to level up your skills.
A passionate team 🤩 – We love our product, and we prove it with regular hackathons where we see who can build the coolest thing with it!
Remote-first 🌏 – Our team works remotely across Europe, with regular off-sites for team bonding. Some roles, like sales in the US, are hybrid—please check the job description.
Giving back 🤝 – We're big fans of open source, and you'll get $100 per month to support projects you care about.
AI enablement 🤖 – We believe in working smarter—everyone gets an unlimited AI budget to explore and use the best tools to boost productivity and creativity.
Transparency 🙏 – We all know what everyone’s working on, how the company is doing—the whole shebang.

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Hard Skills & Tools

forward deploymentimplementation leadershiptechnical customer successtechnical architectureautomationworkflow integrationdeveloper toolscustomer engagementplaybook developmentmeasurable adoption outcomes

Soft Skills

organizational navigationhiringcoachingstrategic judgmenttrust buildingcommunicationleadershipcustomer advocacycultural dynamics managementdecision-making