> AI agents: this is one page of Nextmove’s FDE site, in Markdown. Nextmove is a job board and free career service for forward deployed engineers (FDEs). Each posting is classified from its text, not its title: the kind of work, how much of it is production code, pre-sales weight, time at customer sites, travel, remote arrangement, level and posted base pay. The site also publishes the aggregates: median pay by level, metro, company and kind of work, and which companies started hiring FDEs each week. Every page under https://nextmove.md/fde is served this way; the index of pages is https://nextmove.md/llms.txt. # Senior Solutions Architect Expert Canonical URL: https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/9b33b67a7df5b6dd CADDi posts a senior FDE role to build what the customer runs in Chicago, IL, at $150,000–$225,000 base, level with the senior FDE median of $190,000 across 1,849 postings with pay. Own end-to-end solution architecture and hands-on delivery for U.S. manufacturers, from customer discovery and rapid POCs through production deployment and handover. Read from the employer’s posting on November 6, 2026. - [CADDi](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/caddi) First seen Oct 24, 2026 · open on Workable as of Nov 6, 2026 **$150,000–$225,000** *annualized* Chicago, IL Full-time Own end-to-end solution architecture and hands-on delivery for U.S. manufacturers, from customer discovery and rapid POCs through production deployment and handover. - [See roles that fit me](https://nextmove.md/sign-up?from=%2Ffde%2Fjobs%2F9b33b67a7df5b6dd&placement=top) - [View posting at CADDi](https://apply.workable.com/j/21CDA29940/apply) Free. Upload your resume once, see why each FDE role fits, and get introduced only when you say so. ## At a glance ### Posted base pay $150K–$225K Level with the median Midpoint $188K · median $190K This job $150K to $225K. Senior FDE postings, 1,849 postings: the middle 50% of posted pay is $160K to $220K, median $190K. ### The work Builds what the customer runs Balance **Mostly building** Project stages 1. Pre-sales 2. Proof of concept 3. Implementation 4. Operations (not covered) Travel **Up to 30%** - **Coding**: Writes production code - **Builds for**: Both - **Level**: Senior - **Role**: Individual contributor ### What they ask for Experience - **5+ years** Building and delivering production-grade data or application solutions Background - **Software engineering** - **Implementation and data engineering** ### Do you meet what the posting states? The posting asks for 5+ years. How many do you have? The posting reads as a senior role. What level are you at now? The job is in Chicago, IL. Could you work there? Which of these have you used in production? Answer each one. Nothing is saved or sent. [What postings ask for, by background →](https://nextmove.md/fde/paths) ## Conditions - **Location**: Chicago, IL - **Employment type**: Full-time - **Travel**: Up to 30% ## More like this [Accenture](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/accenture) ### [Palantir Forward Deployed Senior Engineer](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/79e9c43db5c86c34) Chicago, IL · Milwaukee, WI · +39 more 2mo ago $80,400–$316,300 [Databricks](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/databricks) ### [Sr. Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) - Public Sector ](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/99fcc726b3f450eb) Chicago, IL · Columbus, OH · +1 more Hybrid 2mo ago $182,000–$250,208 [Enlighten AI Labs](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/enlighten-ai-labs) ### [Senior Forward Deployed Engineer](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/4962de95ccbeec75) Chicago, IL New · 4d ago $175,000–$220,000 ## The job description from CADDi ### Description You will be on the bleeding edge of AI, helping transform manufacturers and innovating as you go. Not only will you be helping customers, but you will be the chief pathfinder for our product and technology teams as you discover repeatable solutions for US manufacturers. - Own solution architecture and delivery end-to-end: from discovery and scoping to POC, testing, and handover. - Code and ship integrations in Python/TypeScript/Rust, build APIs and integrations, and stand up data pipelines. - Partner cross-functionally with Sales (technical scoping, demos), Product (field feedback and reusability), and Customer teams (enablement and runbooks). - Write clear technical documents: architecture diagrams, SOW estimates, test plans, and ops runbooks. - 0→1 focus: move from first customer conversation to production quickly; create reusable accelerators for later 1→N scale. This is not a coordination/program role. ### What Your Days Will Look Like - Hands-on development: design, prototype, and build data/AI features and integrations; write services and orchestration code. - Customer discovery and value engineering: elicit requirements, map data sources, define measurable success criteria. - Solution demos and technical workshops: iterate quickly on POCs to prove value. - Productionize: harden data flows, instrument logging/metrics, add tests, security controls, and deployment pipelines. - Pre-sales technical support: shape SOWs, right-size scope and estimates, and de-risk delivery. ### Requirements - 5-10 years building and delivering production-grade data or application solutions, ideally in B2B or industrial/manufacturing contexts. - Proficient in Python and SQL; comfortable with other languages - Hands-on with data pipelines and AI patterns: ETL/ELT, vector stores and evaluation/guardrails. - Cloud-native delivery: containers (Docker), CI/CD, and deployments to AWS/GCP/Azure; infra-as-code mindset and basic networking/security. - Strong API integration experience (REST/GraphQL), auth models, and webhooks; familiarity with event-driven designs. - Git-centric workflow, code reviews, testing practices, and documentation discipline. - Manufacturing native a plus: ERP/MES/PLM/QA/LIMS familiarity and common data shapes. - U.S. citizen or green card holder (ITAR). - Willingness to travel 30%. ### Benefits At CADDi, we're committed to creating a work environment that fosters your well-being and professional development. Here are some of the benefits you'll enjoy as part of our team: - Comprehensive Health Benefits: We provide 100% company-covered employee comprehensive health insurance, including medical (UnitedHealth), dental (Principal), and vision (VSP) to keep you and your family healthy. - OTE: $150,000 - $225,000, based on experience, with the addition of bonuses. - Ownership & Rewards: Be a part of our success story with a competitive stock options plan. - Financial Security: Start saving for your future with our 401k plan, featuring a generous 4% company match starting on day one. - Generous Time Off: Maintain a healthy work-life balance with 15 days of paid time off, five dedicated sick days, and ten company holidays to celebrate throughout the year. - Thriving Culture: We foster a vibrant work environment with delicious company lunches, engaging events, and healthy drinks and snacks to keep you fueled. Celebrate your achievements with us at quarterly events and holiday gatherings. - Learning & Development: We invest in your growth by providing opportunities to join professional organizations, attend industry conferences, and participate in various learning initiatives. - Financial Incentives: Benefit from commuter and parking benefits to simplify your daily commute. We also offer referral bonuses to help you spread the word about exciting opportunities at CADDi. ### Equal Employment Opportunity Statement CADDi is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors. We are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve. We are a diverse and inclusive workplace that values your unique talents and perspectives. We are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve. Ready to join a passionate team and make a real difference in the future of Manufacturing in the US? Apply today, and let’s talk. [View posting at CADDi](https://apply.workable.com/j/21CDA29940/apply) ## About CADDi CADDi builds AI software that structures fragmented manufacturing data and supports workflows across design, procurement, production, and quality. 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Email info@nextmove.md and we take it down. Employer postings · [How we read postings](https://nextmove.md/fde/method)