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CoLab Software is seeking a Mechanical Forward Deployed Engineer to serve as a dedicated technical problem-solver and trusted advisor embedded with enterprise customers. This high-impact role focuses on optimizing how customers use CoLab's AI tools, particularly AutoReview and Operator, within mechanical engineering organizations.
You will work within the forward deployed team alongside a technical program manager, software FDE, and customer-facing teams to close technical gaps, shape product direction, and directly influence customer success. The role involves getting deep into customer workflows, testing new ways of working, and building repeatable methods the team can scale. You'll help large mechanical engineering organizations rethink how they manage feedback, data, and decision-making across design and PLM systems.
Key responsibilities include:
- Embedding with enterprise customers to optimize CoLab usage, focusing on AI tools
- Investigating and solving complex engineering data and integration challenges across PLM, ERP, QMS, and design feedback tools
- Partnering with cross-functional teams to test and implement new CoLab workflows in customer environments
- Collaborating with product teams to identify feature gaps and refine capabilities
- Building technical documentation, playbooks, and repeatable frameworks based on successful projects
- Providing mechanical engineering expertise to validate AI-generated results and ensure engineering rigor
This is not a sales or pitching role—it's about deeply understanding engineering problems and solving them alongside customers. You'll run sprints, lead cross-functional projects, and communicate effectively with both customer engineers and internal developers.
The role includes a travel component with customer visits typically 1-3 days total, one or two times per month.
**Requirements:**
Must-haves:
- Background in mechanical design engineering, ideally in a medium to large sized organization
- Strong understanding of PLM systems and enterprise engineering data architecture
- Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects and cross-functional collaborations
- Experience working directly with customers or internal stakeholders to solve technical problems
- Comfort working in fast-changing, ambiguous environments
- Strong written communication and documentation skills
- Working knowledge of high-level AI architecture, specifically LLMs
- Familiarity with APIs, data integrations, and enterprise architecture concepts
Nice-to-haves:
- Experience with internal tool development, scripting, or automation
- Exposure to AI/ML tools applied to engineering workflows
- Prior work in design consulting or product development at scale
