An independent industrial AI deployment firm, led by one of the world's foremost specialists in industrial AI deployment — Sebastian J. Brau, 25+ years and 300+ deployments led personally. We put production AI to work on the plant floor through a partner network of 150+ forward-deployed engineers (FDE), agnostic across AI models and vendors. Selective, principal-led engagements with top-market manufacturers and industrial private equity across the United States, Europe and Latin America.
Get in touchWhat we do
American Lean AI operates as an independent industrial AI deployment firm. We deploy — forward-deployed engineers embedded on the plant floor — and we advise from that ground truth, never the other way around. Engagements are selectively chosen, personally led, and structured for executive-level relationships. We bring 25+ years of plant-floor experience to the question of how production AI actually reaches operations — not slide decks, not pilots, deployment.
Beyond the principal, American Lean AI operates through a curated network of 150+ senior industrial AI practitioners across the United States, Europe, and Latin America. The network includes operators with direct operational experience in major manufacturers — Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Airbus, Nestlé, Bayer, and others. Engagements are matched to the right practitioners based on operational proximity, sector expertise, and case fit.
Senior on-site engagements with manufacturers and their internal AI deployment teams. Direct involvement in architectural decisions, integration patterns, and the operational reality of AI inside SAP, MES, SCADA, and PLC environments.
Selective engagements with industrial private equity sponsors — as Senior Industry Advisor, Board Advisor, or deployment partner across PE-backed industrial portfolios where deep vertical capacity in manufacturing is the brief. Secondarily, American Lean AI acts as deployment partner for the industrial joint ventures of AI labs, executing plant-floor deployment where those ventures require it.
Board-level and executive advisory for industrial operations evaluating AI transformation. Diagnosis, roadmap, governance, and oversight of implementation. Independent of any technology vendor — recommendations are based on operational fit, not commercial alignment.
Principal
Sebastian is Chief Industrial AI Deployment Officer at iLEAN Industrial Systems, a multinational industrial AI company with 25+ years of operations and active presence across Europe, the United States, and Latin America. He has personally led 300+ industrial AI deployments across automotive, aerospace, food, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Engagements led for clients including:
American Lean AI is the vehicle through which Sebastian conducts selective deployment and advisory work that complements his role at iLEAN — an independent, discreet operation for clients and investors where direct senior involvement is the requirement.
See full CV & track recordHow we engage
American Lean AI operates as an independent deployment firm with two operational layers: principal-led engagements directed personally by Sebastian, and network-led engagements executed under his architectural and quality oversight. Both are structured for senior-level relationships and selectively accepted.
| Engagement layer | Led by | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Principal-led | Sebastian Brau personally, with daily involvement | One to three engagements per year |
| Network-led | A designated senior lead, under Sebastian's architectural and quality oversight | Greater frequency |
01
Engagements personally directed by Sebastian are intentionally limited each year — typically one to three. This is not artificial scarcity; it reflects the depth of personal involvement these engagements require. Network-led engagements operate under his architectural and quality oversight at greater frequency.
02
Sebastian is personally involved in every engagement. Principal-led engagements operate with his daily involvement. Network-led engagements operate under his architectural oversight, with a designated senior lead from our network matched to the project. Advisory work is not delegated to junior staff.
03
Network engagements activate senior practitioners with direct experience in the relevant industry, geography, and operational context. We do not outsource advisory work; we orchestrate the right team for each engagement.
04
Although Sebastian leads iLEAN Industrial Systems, engagements via American Lean AI are vendor-independent. Technology recommendations are made based on operational fit, not commercial alignment.
05
Inquiries are evaluated for strategic alignment, operational fit, and potential for measurable impact before acceptance. All engagements are conducted under appropriate confidentiality; client names and engagement specifics are not disclosed publicly.
FAQ
Industrial AI deployment is the work of taking production AI live on the plant floor — integrated with SAP, MES, SCADA, and PLC environments — rather than stopping at pilots or slide decks. It is American Lean AI's sole focus: an independent firm that deploys first and advises from that ground truth.
A forward-deployed engineer (FDE) is a senior industrial AI practitioner embedded on-site with the manufacturer's own teams, working inside the operational reality of the plant. American Lean AI operates through a partner network of 150+ forward-deployed engineers across the United States, Europe, and Latin America.
It means deployments and recommendations are independent of any AI model or technology vendor. American Lean AI selects what fits the plant — based on operational fit, not commercial alignment — and remains vendor-independent even though its principal leads iLEAN Industrial Systems.
Two client profiles: top-market manufacturers deploying production AI, and industrial private equity funds with plant portfolios. Secondarily, American Lean AI acts as deployment partner for the industrial joint ventures of AI labs.
Principal-led engagements are intentionally limited to one to three per year — they require the depth of personal involvement of Sebastian Brau, who has led 300+ industrial AI deployments over 25+ years. Network-led engagements operate at greater frequency under his architectural and quality oversight.
Contact
For inquiries about advisory engagements, board appointments, or strategic conversations.
Inquiries are typically reviewed within 7 business days. Acceptance is subject to fit assessment and current engagement capacity.
Contact
Leave your email and we will get back to you. Inquiries are typically reviewed within 7 business days.
