J-1 Visa Forward Deployed Engineering Jobs
Forward Deployed Engineering roles in the U.S. attract J-1 exchange visitors through the Trainee or Intern program categories, depending on your career stage. Securing sponsorship requires a designated sponsor organization to issue your DS-2019, so identifying host employers who work with established sponsors is the critical first step.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
For over 20 years, Smartsheet has helped people and teams achieve–well, anything. From seamless work management to smart, scalable solutions, we’ve always worked with flow. We’re building tools that empower teams to automate the manual, uncover insights, and scale smarter. But more than that, we’re creating space– space to think big, take action, and unlock the kind of work that truly matters. Because when challenge meets purpose, and passion turns into progress, that’s magic at work, and it’s what we show up for everyday.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
You independently lead the most complex AI deployments Smartsheet undertakes. You own the full engagement lifecycle from technical discovery through production deployment through solutions org handoff. You architect multi-agent solutions, design client-personalized MCP resource packs, and build the Deployment Kits that transform how 200+ solutions consultants and partners operate. You mentor junior FDEs, drive the intelligence loop, and present field findings at weekly Applied AI strategy sessions. You are building a function, not filling a role.
What You Will Do
- Lead complex, multi-system AI deployments end-to-end scope, architect, build, validate, and manage the customer relationship throughout.
- Own the AI workshop program for your pod, customize modules per customer, lead technical sessions, translate outputs into production requirements, evolve content from field learning.
- Architect multi-agent solutions selecting the right coordination pattern for each customer’s workflow characteristics and compliance requirements.
- Design client-specific and industry-specific MCP resource packs that serve personalized intelligence from the server so every connected AI surface gets smarter for that customer automatically.
- Own Deployment Kit quality for your pod. If a kit is not documented well enough for a solutions consultant with no engineering background to follow, it isn’t done.
- Lead Solutions Enablement Sprints: transfer AI deployment patterns to solutions consultants and partners with training materials and certification criteria.
- Drive the intelligence loop: author strategic memos, present field findings weekly, contribute Agent Bricks and Skills, file RFCs for platform improvements.
- Mentor junior FDEs on customer engagements, code reviews, and Deployment Kit quality.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 6–10+ years production software engineering, including 3+ years deploying AI/ML to production. Deep Python; strong TypeScript/JavaScript.
- Proven track record leading complex enterprise technical engagements. You’ve managed customer relationships, navigated security reviews, and delivered production systems organizations depend on.
- Deep production LLM experience: multi-agent orchestration, MCP/tool-use, RAG optimization, evaluation frameworks, agent deployment at scale.
- System architecture expertise spanning enterprise systems, cloud infrastructure, and AI services explainable to a CIO and a junior engineer.
- Demonstrated ability to create reusable technical assets that others use in production. You think in platforms, not projects.
- Strong written and verbal communication. Architecture documents, runbooks, strategic memos, training materials. Your Deployment Kits are your portfolio.
- You leave teams better than you found them. You make sure the people you work with understand what was built, why it works, and how to own it without you.
- Ability to travel. This role requires domestic and international travel approximately 25–50% of the time.
- Legally eligible to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis.
- BS or MS in Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience founding or scaling an FDE/solutions engineering function.
- Technical founder background. Databricks, AWS Bedrock, or Temporal experience.
- Deep domain knowledge in healthcare, financial services, or government. Agent framework contributions (Strands SDK, LangChain, open-source MCP servers).
CURRENT US PERKS & BENEFITS
- Medical/vision and dental coverage options for full-time employees.
- 401k Match to help you save for your future (50% of your contribution up to the first 6% of your eligible pay).
- Monthly stipend to support your work and productivity.
- Flexible Time Away Program, plus Sick Time Off.
- US employees are automatically covered under Smartsheet-sponsored life insurance, short-term, and long-term disability plans.
- US employees receive 12 paid holidays per year.
- Up to 24 weeks of Parental Leave.
- Personal paid Volunteer Day to support our community.
- Opportunities for professional growth and development including access to Udemy online courses.
- Company Funded Perks, including a counseling membership, local retail discounts, and your own personal Smartsheet account.
- Teleworking options from any registered location in the U.S. (role specific).
COMPENSATION
Smartsheet provides a competitive base salary range for roles that may be hired in different geographic areas we are licensed to operate our business from. Actual compensation is determined by several factors including, but not limited to, level of professional, educational experience, skills, and specific candidate location. In addition, this role will be eligible for a market competitive incentive opportunity.
- US Base Salary Pay Range: $227,500 - $245,000 USD
GET TO KNOW US
At Smartsheet, your ideas are heard, your potential is supported, and your contributions have real impact. You’ll have the freedom to explore, push boundaries, and grow beyond your role. We welcome diverse perspectives and nontraditional paths—because we know that impact comes from individuals who care deeply and challenge thoughtfully. When you’re doing work that stretches you, excites you, and connects you to something bigger, that’s magic at work. Let’s build what’s next, together.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Smartsheet is an Equal Opportunity (EEO) employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment with the best employees. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants in accordance with applicable laws in the US, UK, Australia, Germany, Costa Rica, Japan, Bulgaria, and India. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. If there are preparations we can make to help ensure you have a comfortable and positive interview experience, please let us know.
INTRODUCTION
For over 20 years, Smartsheet has helped people and teams achieve–well, anything. From seamless work management to smart, scalable solutions, we’ve always worked with flow. We’re building tools that empower teams to automate the manual, uncover insights, and scale smarter. But more than that, we’re creating space– space to think big, take action, and unlock the kind of work that truly matters. Because when challenge meets purpose, and passion turns into progress, that’s magic at work, and it’s what we show up for everyday.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
You independently lead the most complex AI deployments Smartsheet undertakes. You own the full engagement lifecycle from technical discovery through production deployment through solutions org handoff. You architect multi-agent solutions, design client-personalized MCP resource packs, and build the Deployment Kits that transform how 200+ solutions consultants and partners operate. You mentor junior FDEs, drive the intelligence loop, and present field findings at weekly Applied AI strategy sessions. You are building a function, not filling a role.
What You Will Do
- Lead complex, multi-system AI deployments end-to-end scope, architect, build, validate, and manage the customer relationship throughout.
- Own the AI workshop program for your pod, customize modules per customer, lead technical sessions, translate outputs into production requirements, evolve content from field learning.
- Architect multi-agent solutions selecting the right coordination pattern for each customer’s workflow characteristics and compliance requirements.
- Design client-specific and industry-specific MCP resource packs that serve personalized intelligence from the server so every connected AI surface gets smarter for that customer automatically.
- Own Deployment Kit quality for your pod. If a kit is not documented well enough for a solutions consultant with no engineering background to follow, it isn’t done.
- Lead Solutions Enablement Sprints: transfer AI deployment patterns to solutions consultants and partners with training materials and certification criteria.
- Drive the intelligence loop: author strategic memos, present field findings weekly, contribute Agent Bricks and Skills, file RFCs for platform improvements.
- Mentor junior FDEs on customer engagements, code reviews, and Deployment Kit quality.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 6–10+ years production software engineering, including 3+ years deploying AI/ML to production. Deep Python; strong TypeScript/JavaScript.
- Proven track record leading complex enterprise technical engagements. You’ve managed customer relationships, navigated security reviews, and delivered production systems organizations depend on.
- Deep production LLM experience: multi-agent orchestration, MCP/tool-use, RAG optimization, evaluation frameworks, agent deployment at scale.
- System architecture expertise spanning enterprise systems, cloud infrastructure, and AI services explainable to a CIO and a junior engineer.
- Demonstrated ability to create reusable technical assets that others use in production. You think in platforms, not projects.
- Strong written and verbal communication. Architecture documents, runbooks, strategic memos, training materials. Your Deployment Kits are your portfolio.
- You leave teams better than you found them. You make sure the people you work with understand what was built, why it works, and how to own it without you.
- Ability to travel. This role requires domestic and international travel approximately 25–50% of the time.
- Legally eligible to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis.
- BS or MS in Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience founding or scaling an FDE/solutions engineering function.
- Technical founder background. Databricks, AWS Bedrock, or Temporal experience.
- Deep domain knowledge in healthcare, financial services, or government. Agent framework contributions (Strands SDK, LangChain, open-source MCP servers).
CURRENT US PERKS & BENEFITS
- Medical/vision and dental coverage options for full-time employees.
- 401k Match to help you save for your future (50% of your contribution up to the first 6% of your eligible pay).
- Monthly stipend to support your work and productivity.
- Flexible Time Away Program, plus Sick Time Off.
- US employees are automatically covered under Smartsheet-sponsored life insurance, short-term, and long-term disability plans.
- US employees receive 12 paid holidays per year.
- Up to 24 weeks of Parental Leave.
- Personal paid Volunteer Day to support our community.
- Opportunities for professional growth and development including access to Udemy online courses.
- Company Funded Perks, including a counseling membership, local retail discounts, and your own personal Smartsheet account.
- Teleworking options from any registered location in the U.S. (role specific).
COMPENSATION
Smartsheet provides a competitive base salary range for roles that may be hired in different geographic areas we are licensed to operate our business from. Actual compensation is determined by several factors including, but not limited to, level of professional, educational experience, skills, and specific candidate location. In addition, this role will be eligible for a market competitive incentive opportunity.
- US Base Salary Pay Range: $227,500 - $245,000 USD
GET TO KNOW US
At Smartsheet, your ideas are heard, your potential is supported, and your contributions have real impact. You’ll have the freedom to explore, push boundaries, and grow beyond your role. We welcome diverse perspectives and nontraditional paths—because we know that impact comes from individuals who care deeply and challenge thoughtfully. When you’re doing work that stretches you, excites you, and connects you to something bigger, that’s magic at work. Let’s build what’s next, together.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Smartsheet is an Equal Opportunity (EEO) employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment with the best employees. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants in accordance with applicable laws in the US, UK, Australia, Germany, Costa Rica, Japan, Bulgaria, and India. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. If there are preparations we can make to help ensure you have a comfortable and positive interview experience, please let us know.
See all 6+ Forward Deployed Engineering jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Forward Deployed Engineering roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Forward Deployed Engineering
Translate your technical credentials for U.S. employers
Document your engineering competencies using O*NET occupation profiles for Forward Deployed Engineering roles. U.S. host employers assess candidates against specific technical benchmarks, and aligning your credentials to those frameworks strengthens your training plan from the start.
Build a targeted list of J-1-ready host employers
Search Migrate Mate to find U.S. companies actively hiring for Forward Deployed Engineering roles that align with J-1 sponsorship. Filtering by host employer history saves time you'd otherwise spend cold-contacting companies unfamiliar with the DS-2019 process.
Choose the right J-1 category before applying
If you're a current student or recent graduate, the Intern category applies. If you've graduated and have relevant field experience, pursue the Trainee category instead. Applying under the wrong category forces a restart of the DS-2019 issuance process.
Draft a precise training plan with your host employer
The DS-7002 training plan must outline specific engineering competencies, measurable objectives, and a weekly supervision schedule. Vague plans are the most common reason designated sponsors delay or decline DS-2019 issuance for technical training roles.
Confirm your host employer's designated sponsor relationship early
Not every employer has an existing relationship with a State Department-designated sponsor like Cultural Vistas or AIPT. Ask during the offer stage, before accepting, whether the company has previously hosted J-1 exchange visitors in engineering roles.
Account for the 30-day grace period when planning start dates
Your J-1 status ends on the program end date listed on your DS-2019, with a 30-day grace period to depart the U.S. Coordinate your training program end date with your host employer to avoid status gaps if the role extends.
Forward Deployed Engineering jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Forward Deployed Engineering JobsForward Deployed Engineering J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to Forward Deployed Engineering roles?
Current students or those within 12 months of graduation typically qualify for the Intern category. Professionals who have graduated and have prior relevant engineering experience qualify for the Trainee category. The distinction matters because each category has different eligibility windows, maximum program durations, and documentation requirements your designated sponsor will verify before issuing the DS-2019.
Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa for a Forward Deployed Engineering position?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not your host employer. Organizations like Cultural Vistas or AIPT issue the DS-2019, monitor your training plan compliance, and maintain your SEVIS record. Your host employer is the company where you work. These are two separate entities with distinct responsibilities, and both must agree to participate before your visa process can begin.
How do I find U.S. companies that host J-1 exchange visitors in engineering roles?
Search Migrate Mate to identify U.S. employers with a history of hosting international engineering talent under J-1-aligned programs. Many engineering companies are open to J-1 participants but haven't formalized sponsor relationships, so confirming a prospective host's prior experience with the DS-2019 process during your interview is a practical step before accepting any offer.
Does a Forward Deployed Engineering J-1 role trigger the two-year home residency requirement?
It depends on your funding source and home country. If your training is funded by your home government or a U.S. government agency, or if your home country appears on the Exchange Visitor Skills List, the two-year home residency requirement applies. You'd need to return home for two years, or obtain a waiver, before changing to most other U.S. visa categories after your J-1 ends.
Can I extend my J-1 Trainee program if my Forward Deployed Engineering project runs longer than expected?
Trainee programs have a maximum duration of 18 months. Extensions within that limit require your designated sponsor to amend the DS-2019 and your host employer to update the DS-7002 training plan with revised objectives. Extensions beyond 18 months are not permitted under the Trainee category, so plan your program end date carefully when negotiating the initial training agreement with your host.
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