Forward Deployed Engineer

Forward Deployed EngineerLocation: San Francisco, CA / New York City, NYOn-site role in either San Francisco or New York City.Compensation: $150,000 – $225,000 Base + Competitive EquityVisa: Open to visa transfers and sponsorship, including new or renewed visas.Company Stage: Growth-Stage AI / Enterprise Automation CompanyIndustry: Artificial Intelligence, Enterprise Software, AI Automation, B2B SaaS, Workflow Automation, Enterprise Technology, Applied AIAbout the Company: Our client is building an AI-native platform that enables enterprises to automate complex business processes and fundamentally transform how work gets done. The company works directly with some of the world's largest organizations to replace load-bearing workflows that previously required thousands of human hours with AI-powered software and automation.As a Forward Deployed Engineer, you'll own strategic customer deployments from initial discovery through production rollout. This is a highly autonomous role combining software engineering, customer partnership, product thinking, and operational execution. You'll work directly with enterprise customers while building production-grade applications and automations that materially change how their businesses operate.Own strategic enterprise customer deployments from initial discovery through production rolloutConduct extensive process mining with customers to understand complex business workflowsBreak down ambiguous enterprise processes into precise, actionable technical requirementsWork directly with customers to understand their operational challenges and identify automation opportunitiesBuild robust automations using AI-powered programming tools and the company's AI-English-based programming languageDesign and implement production-grade software and automation systemsArchitect solutions that are reliable, scalable, and capable of operating in complex enterprise environmentsBuild full-stack applications end-to-end based on customer requirementsTranslate customer workflows into software systems and automated processesWork directly with enterprise stakeholders to iterate on implementationsPartner closely with customers throughout deployment and adoptionScale solutions from initial pilots to full production volumeTroubleshoot complex technical and operational problems during deploymentsOwn the outcome of customer projects rather than simply completing assigned engineering tasksBalance technical quality with speed and customer impactMake independent technical and product decisions in ambiguous environmentsDevelop deep understanding of customer workflows and business operationsBuild lasting relationships with enterprise customersDefine and document deployment best practicesHelp establish repeatable implementation patterns for future customersCollaborate closely with internal engineering, product, and leadership teamsIdentify opportunities to improve the company's deployment methodology and technologyOperate with a high level of urgency and intensityTake responsibility for solving problems rather than waiting for directionHelp shape how AI-powered software is deployed across major enterprisesIdeal Candidate BackgroundExperience Requirements2–8 years of experience as a software engineerStrong software engineering background with experience building production applicationsFull-stack or backend-focused engineering experienceExperience owning products or applications end-to-endExperience shipping software from ideation through productionExperience working directly with customers or business stakeholders preferredExperience operating in fast-moving startup environments preferredExperience working in ambiguous, loosely defined problem spacesDemonstrated ability to independently solve complex technical problemsStrong ownership mentality with a track record of driving outcomesAbility to work at high speed and in high-intensity environmentsExperience at reputable startups, high-growth technology companies, or similarly demanding environments preferredPrior founding engineer or founder experience preferredExperience combining engineering with another function such as product, sales, growth, or operations preferredTechnical RequirementsStrong software engineering fundamentalsAbility to build and ship a full-stack application independentlyStrong backend engineering capabilitiesStrong programming skills and production coding experienceAbility to design and implement reliable software systemsComfortable working across frontend and backend systemsExperience building customer-facing softwareAbility to translate ambiguous requirements into working softwareStrong debugging and technical problem-solving abilityAbility to architect solutions from first principlesComfortable working with AI-powered development toolsAbility to rapidly build and iterate on softwareStrong understanding of APIs, data models, and application architectureAbility to work across the technical stack when requiredComfortable deploying and operating production softwareAbility to learn new technical systems quicklyStrong technical judgment when deciding whether to build, integrate, or leverage existing infrastructureEducationTop university preferred, particularly for candidates without experience at reputable startups or technology companiesStrong technical or quantitative academic background preferredComputer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or equivalent technical disciplines preferredExceptional practical engineering experience can compensate for academic pedigreeSoft SkillsExtremely high agency and ownershipFounder-like mentalityStrong bias toward actionComfortable running toward difficult problemsHighly independent and self-directedComfortable operating with limited structureStrong interpersonal rangeAble to build trust quickly with enterprise customersComfortable communicating with both technical and non-technical stakeholdersStrong customer empathyExcellent problem-solving abilityComfortable working through ambiguityHigh intensity and urgencyFast learnerStrong judgmentComfortable taking responsibility for outcomesStrong business and product intuitionComfortable working directly with customersAble to balance customer needs with technical constraintsStrong communication skillsComfortable iterating quickly based on feedbackWilling to work across engineering, product, and customer-facing responsibilitiesExcited by solving real-world business problems rather than only writing codeComfortable working onsite in San Francisco or New York CityCompensation & BenefitsBase Salary: $150,000 – $225,000Competitive equity packageOpportunity to work directly with major enterprise customersOwnership of high-impact customer deploymentsOpportunity to build production AI-powered softwareExposure to complex enterprise workflows and operational transformationOpportunity to work at the forefront of AI automationHigh degree of autonomy and ownershipDirect exposure to strategic customers and business leadersOpportunity to shape deployment methodologies and engineering practicesFast-paced environment with significant technical and professional growthOpportunity to work across engineering, product, and customer-facing functionsVisa transfers and sponsorship availableWhy JoinThis is an opportunity to join an AI-native company building software that fundamentally changes how some of the world's largest enterprises operate.As a Forward Deployed Engineer, you'll work directly with major