Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) - VC Backed Startups

Join SignalFire’s Talent Network for Forward Deployed Engineer Roles at VC-Backed Startups

🛑 This is not an application for a specific job. Instead, this is a way to get on the radar of VC-backed startups that are actively hiring Forward Deployed Engineering talent. If you have any questions, please direct inquiries to talentnetwork@signalfire.com.

At SignalFire, we partner with top early-stage startups that are shaping the future of technology. Our portfolio spans 200+ innovative companies across AI, cybersecurity, healthtech, fintech, developer tools, and enterprise SaaS.

We’re looking to connect with exceptional Forward Deployed Engineers who are excited about working directly with customers to solve complex technical problems, deploy production-ready solutions, and shape how emerging technologies are implemented in real-world environments.

By joining SignalFire’s Talent Network, your profile will be shared with our portfolio companies, giving you visibility into exclusive early-stage opportunities that may not be publicly listed.

Who Should Join?

We’re looking for engineers who are:

✔ Passionate about solving complex customer problems through software and technical implementation
✔ Excited to work at the intersection of engineering, product, and customer success
✔ Comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast-moving startup environments
✔ Interested in translating customer requirements into scalable technical solutions
✔ Strong communicators who can partner effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders

Typical Roles & Responsibilities

• Partner directly with customers to understand their workflows, technical environments, and business requirements

• Design, build, and deploy production-ready solutions using the company’s core platform or APIs

• Develop custom integrations, applications, and technical workflows tailored to customer needs

• Troubleshoot complex implementation, infrastructure, data, and product issues

• Collaborate with product and engineering teams to translate customer feedback into platform improvements

• Guide customers through technical architecture, deployment, testing, and adoption

• Create reusable tools, documentation, and implementation frameworks that improve delivery across customers

• Support pilots and proofs of concept while helping customers move successfully into production

• Identify recurring customer needs that can inform product strategy and roadmap priorities

Common Qualifications

While each startup has its own hiring criteria, many Forward Deployed Engineer roles in our network look for:

• 3+ years of experience in software engineering, solutions engineering, technical consulting, or a similar customer-facing technical role

• Strong coding skills in languages such as Python, JavaScript or TypeScript, Java, Go, or C++

• Experience building APIs, integrations, data pipelines, or production applications

• Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, or Azure

• Ability to understand customer requirements and translate them into practical technical solutions

• Strong debugging, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills

• Experience working with technical and non-technical stakeholders

• Comfort managing multiple customer deployments or technical workstreams simultaneously

• Willingness to travel periodically, depending on the company and customer environment

💡 Technologies You Might Work With:

• Languages & Frameworks: Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, React, Node.js, Java, Go, C++

• Data & Infrastructure: PostgreSQL, Snowflake, Databricks, Kafka, Spark, Redis, Elasticsearch

• Cloud & DevOps: AWS, GCP, Azure, Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, GitHub Actions

• AI & Machine Learning: Large language models, retrieval-augmented generation, model APIs, vector databases, machine learning pipelines

• Integrations & Tools: REST APIs, GraphQL, webhooks, enterprise data systems, CRM and ERP platforms

What Happens Next?

1. Submit your application to join SignalFire’s Talent Ecosystem.

2. We review applications on an ongoing basis to identify strong candidates.

3. If there’s a match, a SignalFire talent partner or a leader from one of our startups may reach out directly.

4. No match yet? We’ll keep your profile on file for future Forward Deployed Engineer roles across our portfolio.