Founding Forward Deployed Engineer

Happyrobot Inc.; Sydney; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Equity in a high-growth startup

Job summary

HappyRobot Inc. is hiring a Forward Deployed Engineer (Founding Australia Team Member) to co-create deployments with enterprise customers in Australia. You’ll be the first technical hire in-region, working with the Country GM to shape how we operate and scale locally.

You’ll combine strong full-stack skills with AI/ML expertise to design, deploy, and optimize AI workers within customer environments, while shaping onboarding, feedback loops, and the regional playbook for future hires.

Qualifications

• Strong full-stack experience with React, TypeScript and Node.js.
• Hands-on proficiency in Python.
• Experience building AI/ML applications, including LLM prompting and tuning.
• Ability to manage APIs and integrate with third-party systems.
• Excellent communication skills to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Proven ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• Founder mindset: independent, ownership-driven, fast-paced.

Responsibilities

• Customer-facing engineering – onboard and optimize with enterprise customers.
• Technical development – build features and scalable MVPs.
• Full-stack development – React, TypeScript, Node.js, Python applications.

Skills

Full-stack React

TypeScript

Node.js

Python

LLM prompting

APIs integration

Communication

Project management

Founder mindset

Job description

About HappyRobot

HappyRobot is the infrastructure for enterprises to build and orchestrate AI workforces. Our AI workers don't just communicate through voice and email - they make decisions, take action, and run operations autonomously across entire enterprise systems. Born in Y Combinator (S23) and backed by a16z, Base10, Prysm Capital and Eurazeo with over $150M raised, we power critical operations for global enterprises worldwide.

Our platform is battle-tested in the most demanding environments, where AI has real consequences. We started in logistics, built our own voice stack, models, and orchestration layer from the ground up, and are now bringing that infrastructure to every enterprise that runs the real economy. Learn more about our vision in our manifesto.

Role Overview

We're looking for a Forward Deployed Engineer (Founding Australia Team Member).

This will be the first technical hire in the region and the second team member locally. You'll work directly with the Country General Manager to define how HappyRobot operates and scales in Australia.

You'll combine strong technical ability with exceptional communication skills, working directly with enterprise customers to design, deploy, and optimize AI workers within their operations.

Beyond delivering high-quality AI deployments, you'll help establish the local playbook — shaping how we onboard customers, deploy AI workers, create feedback loops into product, and build the foundation for future hires in the region.

At HappyRobot, there's no bureaucracy or rigid hierarchy. We operate as builders — we execute, we ship, we take ownership, and we care deeply about customer outcomes.

What You’ll Do

• Customer-Facing Engineering – Work closely with customers from onboarding to ongoing usage, helping them integrate and optimize our AI solutions.

• Technical Development – Build new features, MVPs, and scalable solutions that directly impact customer outcomes.

• Full-Stack Development – Utilize React, TypeScript, Node.js, and Python to develop robust applications and tools.

• AI/ML Applications – Design, implement, and iterate on AI/ML solutions, including LLM prompting, tuning of voices, and transcribers to optimize use cases.

• Integration & APIs – Manage APIs and integrations with third-party systems to ensure seamless functionality for customers.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration – Partner with Product, Engineering, and Customer Success teams to deliver tailored solutions.

• Iterative Problem-Solving – Continuously iterate and improve AI solutions based on customer feedback and evolving requirements.

• Project Management – Prioritize and manage multiple projects under tight deadlines while maintaining high-quality results.

Must Have

• Strong full-stack experience: React, TypeScript, Node.js.

• Hands-on proficiency in Python.

• Experience building AI/ML applications, including LLM prompting and tuning.

• Ability to manage APIs and integrate with third-party systems.

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

• Proven ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.

• Founder mindset: highly independent, takes ownership, and thrives in a fast-paced environment.

Why join us?

• Join a world-class team of engineers and builders.

• Backed by top investors including a16z, Y Combinator, Base10, Prysm Capital and Eurazeo.

• Have ownership and autonomy of projects and are encouraged to ship.

• Comprehensive Benefits including healthcare, dental, vision coverage.

• Competitive salary + equity in a high-growth startup.

Our Operating Principles

_ Extreme Ownership _

We take full responsibility for our work, outcomes, and team success. No excuses, no blame-shifting - if something needs fixing, we own it and make it better. This means stepping up, even when it's not \"your job.\" If a ball is dropped, we pick it up. If a customer is unhappy, we fix it. If a process is broken, we redesign it. We don't wait for someone else to solve it - we lead with accountability and expect the same from those around us.

_ Craftsmanship _

Putting care and intention into every task, striving for excellence, and taking deep ownership of the quality and outcome of your work. Craftsmanship means never settling for \"just fine.\" We sweat the details because details compound. Whether it's a product feature, an internal doc, or a sales call — we treat it as a reflection of our standards. We aim to deliver jaw-dropping customer experiences by being curious, meticulous, and proud of what we build — even when nobody's watching.

_ We are \"majos\" _
Be friendly & have fun with your coworkers. Always be genuine & honest, but kind. \"Majo\" is our way of saying: be a good human. Be approachable, helpful, and warm. We're building something ambitious, and it's easier (and more fun) when we enjoy the ride together. We give feedback with kindness, challenge each other with respect, and celebrate wins together without ego.

_ Urgency with Focus _
Create the highest impact in the shortest amount of time. Move fast, but in the right direction. We operate with speed because time is our most limited resource. But speed without focus is chaos. We prioritize ruthlessly, act decisively, and stay aligned. We aim for high leverage: the biggest results from the simplest, smartest actions. We're running a high-speed marathon - not a sprint with no strategy.

_ Talent Density and Meritocracy _
Hire only people who can raise the average; 'exceptional performance is the passing grade.' Ability trumps seniority. We believe the best teams are built on talent density — every hire should raise the bar. We reward contribution, not titles or tenure. We give ownership to those who earn it, and we all hold each other to a high standard. A-players want to work with other A-players — that's how we win.

_ First-Principles Thinking _
Strip a problem to physics-level facts, ignore industry dogma, rebuild the solution from scratch. We don't copy-paste solutions. We go back to basics, ask why things are the way they are, and rebuild from the ground up if needed. This mindset pushes us to innovate, challenge stale assumptions, and move faster than incumbents. It's how we build what others think is impossible.

The personal data provided in your application and during the selection process will be processed by Happyrobot, Inc., acting as Data Controller.

By sending us your CV, you consent to the processing of your personal data for the purpose of evaluating and selecting you as a candidate for the position. Your personal data will be treated confidentially and will only be used for the recruitment process of the selected job offer.

In relation to the period of conservation of your personal data, these will be eliminated after three months of inactivity in compliance with the GDPR and legislation on the protection of personal data.

If you wish to exercise your rights of access, rectification, deletion, portability or opposition in relation to your personal data, you can do so through [e-mail] subject to the GDPR.

For more information, visit https://www.happyrobot.ai/privacy-policy

By submitting your request, you confirm that you have read and understood this clause and that you agree to the processing of your personal data as described.