The Problem
of enterprise AI pilots never generate measurable business impact.
And it's because of deployment. The demo works.
Then it hits your real infrastructure and stops.
MIT NANDA Report, 2025 · Forward Deployed Engineering is the answer.
Most AI Projects Never Leave the Pilot Phase
You Have the Tools but Your Workflows Didn't Change
You're paying for AI licenses. Your team used them. But your operation runs exactly the same. That's not an AI problem, that's an integration problem.
This Skill Set Is Rare
Most engineers build demos. Few know how to take AI into a real business environment. That gap is exactly what I solve.
Your Pilot Worked. Your Production Didn't.
The demo ran great. But now you have a prototype nobody maintains and an operation that still runs manually. I stay until the system runs in production.
The Engineer Who Stays
Until It Works
Forward Deployed is military language for being at the front line. Most engineers build things. An FDE ships them inside your environment, with your data, on your constraints, and owns the outcome until it's live.
Embeds With Your Team
Lives inside your systems, until he understands the real problem.
Writes Production Code
The same person who scopes the problem builds the system and deploys it.
Owns the Outcome
Stays until it's in production, stable, and your team can run it. That's the difference.
A consultant delivers a document
A Forward Deployed Engineer delivers a working system
How It Works
From Stuck Pilot to Running System
Every engagement follows the same structure.
You bring the problem. I map it, build it, and ship it.
Why ZNAS
I've Been Building Production Systems for 17 Years
Not advising on them. Building them.
Years in Production
Industries
Companies Founded
IA Certificates
Bilingual
Based · Remote-Ready
Projects & Case Studies
Real environments, real constraints, running in production
Created by ZNAS
PresentWhat People Say About
Working With ZNAS
José is an extremely competent AI developer. In a very short time, he put together architectural documentation, determined which components each team member could take on and quickly delegated work. After development was complete, he also jumped into presenting to a community of software developers and technologists as part of an AI-focused workshop series.
Aaron Eden
AI Process Automation · Intuit
I can't say enough good things about Jose. He did not disappoint. His technical skills are top notch, but more than that, he has a firm grasp of the soft skills necessary to help a team work better together. If you need a software developer to lead your team who also has a firm grasp of the business side, Jose is your guy.
Allen Trevethan
Technologist & Entrepreneur
Jose is an excellent software engineer, professional, and co-worker. I witnessed Jose drive innovation and excel as a software developer at CyraCom. Jose is a great mentor and has excellent leadership abilities. Any company would benefit from having Jose as a Lead Software Engineer or Architect on their team.
Stephen Miller
Senior Software Engineer, University of North Dakota
If Your AI
Implementation
Is Stuck, Let's Talk.
A scoping call takes 30 minutes. You leave with a clear diagnosis of what's blocking it.
What is exactly a Forward Deployed Engineer?
What is the difference between a Forward Deployed Engineer and a Fractional CTO?
| Fractional CTO | Forward Deployed Engineer | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Technical leadership and strategy | Building and deploying in production |
| Deliverable | Roadmap, architecture decisions, team direction | Working system running in production |
| Writes code | Rarely | Yes — always |
| Owns the outcome | Partially | Total — stays until it runs |
| Ideal when | You need senior technical direction at the executive level | Your AI project is stuck or not reaching production |
| Works from | Meetings, documents, decisions | Inside your stack, your data, your team |
Primary focus
Technical leadership and strategy
Building and deploying in production
Deliverable
Roadmap, architecture decisions, team direction
Working system running in production
Writes code
Rarely
Yes — always
Owns the outcome
Partially
Total — stays until it runs
Ideal when
You need senior technical direction at the executive level
Your AI project is stuck or not reaching production
Works from
Meetings, documents, decisions
Inside your stack, your data, your team