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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Forward Deployed Engineer - **Company:** NATIVE AI LLC - **Location:** San Francisco, CA, United States (Remote available) - **Experience:** Experienced - **Salary:** $150,000.0 - $225,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Artificial Intelligence, Applications Architecture, Computer Programming, Software Debugging, Programming Tools, Design of User Interfaces, Human-Computer Interaction, Software Engineering, Software Systems, Enterprise Software Applications, Backend, Information Technology, Front End Software Development, Software Coding, Programming Languages - **Published:** September 22, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.careerbuilder.com/job-details/forward-deployed-engineer-san-francisco-ca--7faa27a0-8c86-4dcb-8df1-4abdc57aa103 ## About the Role * 2-8 years of experience as a software engineer * Strong software engineering background with experience building production applications * Full-stack or backend-focused engineering experience * Experience owning products or applications end-to-end * Experience shipping software from ideation through production * Experience working directly with customers or business stakeholders preferred * Experience operating in fast-moving startup environments preferred * Experience working in ambiguous, loosely defined problem spaces * Demonstrated ability to independently solve complex technical problems * Strong ownership mentality with a track record of driving outcomes * Ability to work at high speed and in high-intensity environments * Experience at reputable startups, high-growth technology companies, or similarly demanding environments preferred * Prior founding engineer or founder experience preferred * Experience combining engineering with another function such as product, sales, growth, or operations preferred Technical Requirements * Strong software engineering fundamentals * Ability to build and ship a full-stack application independently * Strong backend engineering capabilities * Strong programming skills and production coding experience * Ability to design and implement reliable software systems * Comfortable working across frontend and backend systems * Experience building customer-facing software * Ability to translate ambiguous requirements into working software * Strong debugging and technical problem-solving ability * Ability to architect solutions from first principles * Comfortable working with AI-powered development tools * Ability to rapidly build and iterate on software * Strong understanding of APIs, data models, and application architecture * Ability to work across the technical stack when required * Comfortable deploying and operating production software * Ability to learn new technical systems quickly * Strong technical judgment when deciding whether to build, integrate, or leverage existing infrastructure, * Top university preferred, particularly for candidates without experience at reputable startups or technology companies * Strong technical or quantitative academic background preferred * Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or equivalent technical disciplines preferred * Exceptional practical engineering experience can compensate for academic pedigree Soft Skills * Extremely high agency and ownership * Founder-like mentality * Strong bias toward action * Comfortable running toward difficult problems * Highly independent and self-directed * Comfortable operating with limited structure * Strong interpersonal range * Able to build trust quickly with enterprise customers * Comfortable communicating with both technical and non-technical stakeholders * Strong customer empathy * Excellent problem-solving ability * Comfortable working through ambiguity * High intensity and urgency * Fast learner * Strong judgment * Comfortable taking responsibility for outcomes * Strong business and product intuition * Comfortable working directly with customers * Able to balance customer needs with technical constraints * Strong communication skills * Comfortable iterating quickly based on feedback * Willing to work across engineering, product, and customer-facing responsibilities * Excited by solving real-world business problems rather than only writing code * Comfortable working onsite in San Francisco or New York City, Academic Background, Application Programming Interface (API), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Artificial Intelligence (AI) Programming Languages, Automation, Automation Systems, Best Practices, Business Operations, Business Processes, Communication Skills, Computer Programming, Computer Science, Customer Relations, Data Modeling, Debugging Skills, Engineering, English Language, Enterprise Applications, High Tech Industry, Identify Issues, Interpersonal Skills, Keyboards, Leadership, Mathematics, Problem Solving Skills, Production Systems, Production Volume, Programming Languages, Programming Tools, Revenue Growth, Software Engineering, Startup, User Interface/Experience (UI/UX) ## Description As a Forward Deployed Engineer, you'll own strategic customer deployments end-to-end - from initial discovery and process mining through architecture, implementation, iteration, and global 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. What You'll Do * Own strategic enterprise customer deployments from initial discovery through production rollout * Conduct extensive process mining with customers to understand complex business workflows * Break down ambiguous enterprise processes into precise, actionable technical requirements * Work directly with customers to understand their operational challenges and identify automation opportunities * Build robust automations using AI-powered programming tools and the company's AI-English-based programming language * Design and implement production-grade software and automation systems * Architect solutions that are reliable, scalable, and capable of operating in complex enterprise environments * Build full-stack applications end-to-end based on customer requirements * Translate customer workflows into software systems and automated processes * Work directly with enterprise stakeholders to iterate on implementations * Partner closely with customers throughout deployment and adoption * Scale solutions from initial pilots to full production volume * Troubleshoot complex technical and operational problems during deployments * Own the outcome of customer projects rather than simply completing assigned engineering tasks * Balance technical quality with speed and customer impact * Make independent technical and product decisions in ambiguous environments * Develop deep understanding of customer workflows and business operations * Build lasting relationships with enterprise customers * Define and document deployment best practices * Help establish repeatable implementation patterns for future customers * Collaborate closely with internal engineering, product, and leadership teams * Identify opportunities to improve the company's deployment methodology and technology * Operate with a high level of urgency and intensity * Take responsibility for solving problems rather than waiting for direction * Help shape how AI-powered software is deployed across major enterprises ## Related Videos - [Hiring AI Native Talents](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100268-hiring-ai-native-talents) - [Developing the Backend with Stefan Lingler, CTO at Shpock](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100360-developing-the-backend-with-stefan-lingler-cto-at-shpock) - [Unleashing the Power of Developers: Why Cybersecurity is the Missing Piece?!?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/712-unleashing-the-power-of-developers-why-cybersecurity-is-the-missing-piece) - [Rethinking Intelligence: AI, Accessibility, and the Future of Inclusive Work - Artur Ortega](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1377-rethinking-intelligence-ai-accessibility-and-the-future-of-inclusive-work-artur-ortega) - [Are We All Prompt Engineers? How AI Changed What It Means to Build Software](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1980-are-we-all-prompt-engineers-how-ai-changed-what-it-means-to-build-software) - [AI Killed DevOps... What Now? - Lee Faus](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1759-ai-killed-devops-what-now-lee-faus) ## Related Articles - [Navigating the AI Shift](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/629-navigating-the-ai-shift) - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs) - [The 12 Best Jobs for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/401-the-12-best-jobs-for-software-engineers) - [What is Software Engineering in the Age of AI?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/640-what-is-software-engineering-in-the-age-of-ai)