[Job-31965] Principal FDE

At CI&T, we help large enterprises transform the potential of AI into real business impact with AI Deployment, AI-native execution, and tech-integrated business solutions.

With 30 years of experience in technological transformation, we accelerate innovation with expertise in Agentic SDLC, Application modernization, Data & AI, Martech and Business strategy.

We are 8,000 CI&Ters across more than 25 countries, collaborating to build solutions with real impact. AI is already part of how we work, evolve, and innovate every day.

About the Role

We are looking for a Principal Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) to lead complex system modernization initiatives, combining deep architecture and technical leadership expertise with modern AI-assisted engineering practices.

In this role, you will take ownership of modernization missions from initial scope through technical execution, working closely with engineering teams and client stakeholders to understand legacy environments, define transition architectures, and drive the evolution of complex systems.

You will combine strategic architectural thinking with hands-on technical involvement, using AI-assisted development and analysis techniques to accelerate reverse engineering, documentation, testing, and modernization activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical direction of complex legacy system modernization initiatives, from initial assessment through transition and implementation.

• Analyze existing applications, architectures, dependencies, databases, and business logic to build a comprehensive understanding of legacy environments.

• Define and plan transition architectures and modernization strategies, including the progressive refactoring of legacy systems.

• Guide the modernization of database components, including stored procedures and database-dependent application logic.

• Use AI tooling to analyze existing codebases and generate high-quality technical documentation that supports modernization decisions and engineering execution.

• Apply structured AI-driven development workflows, particularly reverse engineering, Spec-Driven Development (SDD), and test generation.

• Translate an initial mission and scope into an actionable technical plan and continuously evolve it as new information and constraints emerge.

• Take end-to-end ownership of technical delivery while providing direction and structure to the broader engineering team.

• Remain actively involved in the engineering process, supporting architecture decisions, technical analysis, troubleshooting, and implementation when needed.

• Communicate technical progress, risks, dependencies, and architectural decisions clearly to technical and client stakeholders.

• Act as a trusted technical interface between client stakeholders and a fast-paced engineering team.

Requirements

• Experience working with system modernization projects in an architecture or technical leadership role.

• Strong experience planning system transition architectures and defining modernization approaches for complex legacy environments.

• Hands-on experience refactoring legacy systems, including systems involving database stored procedures.

• Knowledge of legacy Microsoft IE5 HTCs and DHTML architectures.

• Proven experience using AI tools to generate high-quality technical documentation from existing codebases under analysis.

• Practical knowledge of structured AI-driven software development workflows, particularly reverse engineering, Spec-Driven Development (SDD), and automated test generation.

• Demonstrated ability to take an initial mission and scope, own it end-to-end, and evolve it independently, both for yourself and the engineering team.

• Strong architecture, technical leadership, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.

• Ability to operate effectively in complex environments with ambiguity and evolving requirements.

Nice to Have

• Practical, hands-on experience with Cursor.

• A strong preference for and track record of hands-on involvement in the engineering process, even when operating in architecture or technical leadership roles.

• Experience using software profiling, architecture analysis, or application intelligence tools, such as CAST Imaging.

• Fluent business English, with the ability to communicate effectively in technical and client-facing environments.

• Experience preparing and presenting project status reports to technical stakeholders.

• Ability to project manage and coordinate other engineers while maintaining technical ownership.

• Experience acting as a professional client interface, connecting client stakeholders with a high-speed engineering team.

#midsenior #li-mg04 Our benefits:   -Health and dental insurance -Meal and food allowance -Childcare assistance -Extended paternity leave -Partnership with gyms and health and wellness professionals via Wellhub (Gympass) TotalPass; -Profit Sharing and Results Participation (PLR); -Life insurance -Continuous learning platform (CI&T University); -Discount club -Free online platform dedicated to physical, mental, and overall well-being -Pregnancy and responsible parenting course -Partnerships with online learning platforms -Language learning platform And many more!   More details about our benefits here: https://ciandt.com/br/pt-br/carreiras   At CI&T, inclusion starts at the first contact. If you are a person with a disability, it is important to present your assessment during the selection process. See which data needs to be included in the report by clicking here.This way, we can ensure the support and accommodations that you deserve. If you do not yet have the assessment, don't worry: we can support you in obtaining it.   We have a dedicated Health and Well-being team, inclusion specialists, and affinity groups who will be with you at every stage. Count on us to make this journey side by side.