Forward Deployed Engineer

HappyRobot; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

High-growth startup environment

Top investors backing (a16z, YC, Base十

Ownership & autonomy

Competitive salary + equity

Healthcare, dental, vision

Job summary

HappyRobot is hiring a Forward Deployed Engineer to work directly with customers, onboarding and implementing our AI platform. You will build features using React, TypeScript, Node.js, and Python, and design AI/ML solutions including LLM prompting and tuning.

You’ll own integrations with third-party systems and collaborate across Product, Engineering, and Customer Success teams. The role emphasizes ownership, rapid delivery, and high autonomy in a fast-growing startup backed by top investors.

Qualifications

• 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 to explain technical concepts.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• Founder mindset with independence and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Customer-facing engineering from onboarding to ongoing usage.
• Develop features, MVPs, and scalable solutions impacting outcomes.
• Full-stack development across front-end and back-end.
• Design, implement, and iterate AI/ML solutions including LLM prompts.
• Manage APIs and integrations with third-party systems.
• Collaborate with Product, Engineering, and Customer Success.
• Iterate solutions based on customer feedback and deadlines.
• Prioritize and manage multiple projects with high quality.

Skills

Full-stack React/TS/Node.js

Python

AI/ML applications

LLM prompting & tuning

APIs & integrations

Technical communication

Project prioritization

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 - they make decisions, take action, and run operations autonomously across voice, email, and enterprise systems. Born in Y Combinator (S23) and backed by a16z and Base10 with over $60M 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 are looking for a versatile and highly skilled Forward Deployed Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will combine strong technical abilities with excellent communication skills, working directly with customers to ensure they maximize the value of HappyRobot’s AI platform. You will be involved in onboarding, implementation, and ongoing support, while also contributing to product development and innovation.

At HappyRobot, there’s no role seniority or hierarchy — we operate as a team of builders. We execute, we build, we own, and we care deeply about our customers and their success.

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?

• Opportunity to work at a high-growth AI startup, backed by top investors.

• Rapidly growing and backed by top investors including a16z, Y Combinator, and Base10.

• Ownership & Autonomy - Take full ownership of projects and ship fast.

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

• Comprehensive Benefits - Healthcare, dental, vision coverage.

• Work With the Best - Join a world-class team of engineers and builders

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.