Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE)

Cloudflare; New York (NY); On-site; USD 184,000 - 253,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

401(k) Plan

Flexible PTO

Mental health support

Job summary

Cloudflare is seeking a Forward Deployed Engineer to embed with a strategic customer team, acting as the primary technical resource and architecting multi‑stage migrations. You will drive implementation, guide configurations, and collaborate with Product and Support teams to deliver secure web infrastructure.

You will champion AI/LLM concepts and maintain a long‑term relationship with the account, potentially expanding into Network Security and SASE architectures in the future.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of technical customer-facing experience within cloud networks, web infrastructure, or security.
• Extensive knowledge of Application Security, Cloudflare’s Workers and Workers AI, cybersecurity, and web performance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor to key enterprise customers and lead architectural discussions and solution reviews.
• Design and configure comprehensive security-focused solutions using Cloudflare Workers to optimize global traffic and security.

Skills

Technical customer-facing experience

Application security

Terraform proficiency

Relationship management

Slack communication

AI/LLM knowledge

Networking & security

Tools

Terraform

Job description

About Cloudflare

At Cloudflare, we are on a mission to help build a better Internet. The company runs one of the world’s largest networks, powering millions of websites and other Internet properties for customers ranging from individual bloggers to SMBs to Fortune 500 companies. Cloudflare protects and accelerates any Internet application online without adding hardware, installing software, or changing a line of code. Internet properties powered by Cloudflare route web traffic through its intelligent global network, which gets smarter with every request, leading to improved performance and reduced spam and attacks. Cloudflare was named to Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top Company Cultures list and ranked among the World’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company.

Locations

Austin, TX; Dallas, TX; Atlanta, GA.

Role Summary

As a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE), you will be a dedicated Cloudflare expert directly embedded within a strategic customer’s team. You will serve as the primary technical resource, architect complex multi‑stage migrations, and provide hands‑on configuration to meet unique web infrastructure requirements. You will thrive in agile environments, act as a bridge to internal product teams, and bring a deep passion for AI‑driven security.

Responsibilities

• Customer Engagement & Technical Leadership: Serve as a trusted advisor to key enterprise customers, provide technical insights, best practices, and strategic recommendations to support their business goals. Lead architectural discussions, design sessions, and solution reviews to ensure optimal application of Cloudflare’s solutions, diagnose complex technical issues, and deliver effective solutions in collaboration with support and product teams.
• Architect Application Security: Design and configure comprehensive, tailored solutions focusing on Application Security, utilizing Cloudflare Workers to optimize and direct global traffic and network security.
• Master Infrastructure as Code: Support the account team by navigating and managing complex configurations heavily reliant on Terraform to ensure seamless operational stability.
• Act as a Strategic Liaison: Serve as a high‑speed conduit between the customer and internal Cloudflare teams (Product, Support, Engineering) to advocate for customer needs and influence product road‑maps.
• Navigate Modern Communication: Manage complex, fast‑moving technical discussions primarily through Slack, guiding the customer even when formal calls are difficult to schedule.
• Drive AI Innovation: Leverage deep knowledge of AI/LLM concepts to align Cloudflare’s capabilities with the customer’s AI‑focused culture and future technology goals.
• Provide Long‑Term Guidance: Stay with the account post‑migration, identifying future strategic initiatives, including transitioning into Network Security and SASE architectures.

Must‑Have Skills

• 10+ Years of Technical Customer‑Facing Experience: Proven track record as a technical architect or lead on complex, enterprise‑level projects within cloud networks, web infrastructure, or security.
• Application Security Expertise: Extensive knowledge of development platforms such as Cloudflare’s Application Security, Workers and Workers AI, cybersecurity, web performance, and cloud infrastructure.
• Terraform Proficiency: Extensive experience implementing and supporting complex technical solutions using Terraform for infrastructure management.
• High‑Stakes Relationship Management: Demonstrated ability to build trust and rapport in challenging environments, remaining flexible and persistent in establishing regular cadences with stakeholders.
• Advanced Communication: Exceptional ability to navigate a Slack‑first communication culture, providing clear guidance and managing technical threads under pressure.
• AI/LLM Knowledge: A strong technical understanding of and passion for AI/LLM concepts, fitting the culture of a cutting‑edge AI‑centric organization.
• Technical Background: Strong knowledge of networking protocols, cybersecurity, and industry standards (e.g., Zero Trust, SASE).

Nice‑to‑Have Skills

• Network Security Background: Experience or strong interest in transitioning application‑heavy environments toward comprehensive Network Security and SASE models.
• Scripting & Automation: Proficiency in coding languages beyond Terraform to automate tasks at scale and build proof‑of‑concept setups.
• Financial Acumen: Experience managing or advising on project‑based fund pools to maximize the value of a customer’s strategic investment.

Compensation

Compensation may vary depending on work location. This role is eligible to earn incentive compensation under Cloudflare’s Sales Compensation Plan. Estimated annual salary ranges include on‑target incentive compensation for the role.

For Colorado, Hawaii, and Illinois hires: $167,000 – $230,000.

For New York City, New Jersey, Washington DC, and California (excluding Bay Area) hires: $184,000 – $253,000.

For Bay Area hires: $192,000 – $264,000.

Equity

This role is eligible to participate in Cloudflare’s equity plan.

Benefits

• Medical, Rx, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• Flexible Spending Accounts and Commuter Spending Accounts.
• Fertility & Family Forming Benefits.
• On‑demand mental health support and Employee Assistance Program.
• Global Travel Medical Insurance.
• Short and Long‑Term Disability Insurance.
• Life & Accident Insurance.
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan.
• Employee Stock Participation Plan.
• Flexible paid time off for vacation and sick leave.
• Leave programs, including parental, pregnancy health, medical, and bereavement leave.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Cloudflare is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all people and place great value in diversity and inclusiveness. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or other protected categories. We are an AA/Veterans/Disabled Employer. Cloudflare provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.