Director, Forward Deployed Engineering

HackerRank; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

HackerRank is scaling its Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE) function globally. We are hiring a Director, Forward Deployed Engineering (Global) to set the strategy, standards, and execution bar for this team. This is a hands-on leadership role.

You will lead the global FDE function, directly manage FDEs in the U.S., and partner closely with regional GMs in EMEA and APAC. You will lead by example, coaching engineers, shaping solutions with Sales, Product, and Customer Success, and delivering

Qualifications

• 8+ years in engineering, solutions engineering, or technical delivery.
• 2+ years leading high-performing technical teams.
• Experience leading customer-facing technical teams where credibility, clarity and execution matter.
• Fluent across engineering and business contexts; able to discuss architecture with engineers and align with sales/product.
• Excellent presenter and communicator for technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and grow a team of FDEs that lead customer engagements (pre- and post-sales) to define and deliver solutions.
• Partner with Sales, Product, Engineering, and Customer Success to shape solutions that solve real customer problems.
• Work with Product and Engineering to incorporate customer-specific solutions into the product roadmap.
• Provide hands-on technical leadership across APIs, integrations, and platform capabilities.
• Elevate how we run demos, proofs of concept, and onsite engagements.
• Build repeatable playbooks, delivery standards, and best practices to move fast at scale.

Skills

8+ years in engineering solutions tech

2+ years leading high-performing teams

Strong presenting & communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

HackerRank helps companies like NVIDIA, Amazon, and Microsoft hire and upskill the next generation of developers based on skills, not pedigree. Our platform is trusted by over 2,500 of the world’s most innovative companies to build strong engineering teams ready for what’s next.

Software has entered an era where humans and AI build side by side. As this shift accelerates, the definition of strong technical talent is changing. We give companies better ways to identify and invest in next-generation skills.

People at HackerRank care deeply about the impact of their work and sweat the small details so our customers can be wildly successful with products they genuinely love to use. We move with urgency and believe great outcomes come from high standards.

About the role

HackerRank is scaling its Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE) function globally. We are hiring a Director, Forward Deployed Engineering (Global) to set the strategy, standards, and execution bar for this team. This is a hands‑on leadership role. You will lead the global FDE function, directly manage FDEs in the U.S., and partner closely with regional GMs in EMEA and APAC.

What you will do

• Lead, coach, and grow a team of FDEs that lead customer engagements (pre- and post-sales) to define and deliver solutions.
• Partner with Sales, Product, Engineering, and Customer Success to shape solutions that solve real customer problems.
• Work with Product and Engineering to incorporate customer‑specific solutions into the product roadmap.
• Provide hands‑on technical leadership across APIs, integrations, and platform capabilities.
• Elevate how we run demos, proofs of concept, and onsite engagements.
• Build repeatable playbooks, delivery standards, and best practices to move fast at scale.

Who you are

• A seasoned technical leader with 8+ years in engineering, solutions engineering, or technical delivery, and 2+ years leading high‑performing technical teams.
• Obsessed with operating alongside the team, reviewing designs, challenging assumptions, and stepping in when problems get ambiguous or high‑stakes.
• Highly experienced in leading customer‑facing technical teams where success depends on credibility, clarity, and execution, not scripts or handoffs.
• Fluent across engineering and business contexts, you can debate architecture with engineers and align outcomes with sales, product, and customer leaders.
• Excellent presenter and communicator who can modulate the message across both technical and non‑technical audiences.

Even better if you have

• Experience as a Forward Deployed Engineer, Solutions Engineer, or Technical Consultant.
• Background in developer tools, HR tech, or API‑first SaaS platforms.
• Experience working in globally distributed or matrixed teams.

You will thrive in this role if

• You enjoy building teams, systems, and standards from the ground up.
• Ambiguity energizes you, especially in fast‑moving environments.
• You hold high standards for ownership and quality, with a bias toward action and urgency.