Forward Deployed Engineer

Position: Forward-Deployed Security Engineer (AI Infrastructure)
Location: San Francisco, CA (50-75% travel to client sites)
Compensation: $200,000 - $500,000 base + 1-3% equity
Clearance: Active U.S. TS/SCI required
Employment Type: Full-time
Visa Sponsorship: Not available
About the Role

A stealth-mode startup backed by top security leaders and AI pioneers recently closed a $3M seed round to secure the most sensitive infrastructure of the 21st century-AI data centers. The company is deploying security systems to protect the tens of millions of GPUs powering the global economy and collaborating directly with classified government and defense customers.

We are seeking a Forward-Deployed Security Engineer to work closely with customers in defense, intelligence, and frontier AI infrastructure environments. This is a rare opportunity to shape critical systems at the heart of global AI deployment.
Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical bridge between engineering and customer sites, deploying and integrating security solutions on-site
• Lead field-based customer discovery, integration, troubleshooting, and iteration
• Translate complex customer requirements into actionable engineering feedback
• Build trust and navigate complex technical and bureaucratic environments
• Rapidly prototype, test, and ship security features in high-stakes environments

Ideal Background

Experience:

• 2+ years as a forward-deployed, customer-facing, or solutions engineer
• Background in one or more of the following:
  
  • AI infrastructure (e.g., Nvidia, TSMC, Intel)
  • AI labs (e.g., Anthropic, DeepMind, OpenAI)
  • Agile defense/hardware (e.g., Anduril, SpaceX, Hadrian)
  • National security or intelligence roles (e.g., NSA, CIA, IDF)
  • High-frequency trading or quant (e.g., Jane Street)
  • Deep security firms (e.g., Trail of Bits, CrowdStrike)

Technical Skills:

• Experience with system integration in secure or regulated environments
• Familiarity with confidential computing, secure enclaves, or TEEs
• Programming experience in Rust, C, or low-level systems languages
• Background with FPGAs, Xilinx SoCs, or hardware-secure elements
• Applied ML or research experience, ideally with PyTorch or similar
• Security engineering or CTF competition background a plus

Bonus Qualifications:

• PhD from top institutions (e.g., MIT, CMU, Oxford)
• Medals from IMO, IOI, or national-level technical competitions
• Superforecaster status (Good Judgment Project or similar)
• Active technical portfolio (GitHub, blog, YouTube channel, etc.)

Traits We're Looking For

• Deep belief in the transformative power of AGI
• Mission-driven mindset oriented toward national security and AI alignment
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with high EQ
• Ability to operate independently in ambiguous, high-pressure field environments
• Obsessive about speed, safety, and security