Forward Deployed Engineer

Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) - AI/ML Startup Location: San Francisco (In-person with 50% travel)

Compensation:

• Base: $120k - $200k
• Equity: 0.5% - 1.5%
• Full benefits
• Visa sponsorship available

About Us: We're a venture-backed AI startup ($7M seed round led by Craft Ventures) building real-world AI solutions for manufacturing and industrial automation. We've achieved $1M+ ARR within months of launch, securing multiple six and seven-figure contracts with Fortune 500 manufacturers.

Role: As an FDE, you'll deploy AI solutions directly on factory floors, working side-by-side with clients to solve critical operational challenges. This is a unique hybrid role combining engineering, customer interaction, and business development.

What You'll Do:

• Build and deploy MVPs on-site using Python, React, and AWS
• Work directly with client executives and operations teams
• Travel to client facilities (50%) to implement solutions
• Participate in enterprise contract negotiations
• Ship code to production in real-time based on immediate client feedback

Requirements:

• 1-4 years of full-stack engineering experience
• Strong Python and React skills
• Experience with AWS or similar cloud platforms
• Excellent communication and customer interaction skills
• Willingness to travel 50% of time
• Authorization to work in the US

Ideal Background:

• Early-stage startup experience
• Forward deployed engineering at companies like Scale AI, Palantir, or similar
• Experience deploying production systems
• Computer Science degree from top university

Impact: Your solutions will directly affect manufacturing operations, with recent projects saving clients millions in prevented downtimes. You'll have unprecedented autonomy and ownership while learning both technical and business aspects of scaling an AI startup.

Apply if you want to:

• Build AI solutions with immediate real-world impact
• Work directly with Fortune 500 executives
• Join a rapidly growing team at the ground floor
• Learn the full stack of building and scaling an AI company