Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE)

United States Digital Space LLC

United States

Hybrid

USD 167,000 - 264,000

Full time

14 days+

Get more replies from employers

Send a job-specific resume in minutes.

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Rx Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Global Travel Medical Insurance

Job summary

United States Digital Space LLC is looking for a Forward Deployed Engineer dedicated to providing technical leadership and customer engagement. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of customer-facing technical experience, particularly in cloud networks and application security.

This role involves architecting solutions, managing complex configurations with Terraform, and driving AI innovation. Compensation ranges from $167,000 to $264,000 depending on location, along with benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance.

Qualifications

10+ years of technical customer-facing experience in cloud networks or security.
Extensive knowledge of Application Security and web performance.
Experience using Terraform for infrastructure management.

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted advisor to key enterprise customers.
Design and configure solutions focusing on Application Security.
Manage complex configurations using Terraform.

Skills

Technical Customer Facing Experience

Application Security Expertise

Terraform Proficiency

Relationship Management

Advanced Communication

AI/LLM Knowledge

Technical Background

Job description

About Us

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

At the company, we’re not looking for people who wait for a polished roadmap; we’re looking for the builders who see the cracks in the Internet that everyone else has simply learned to live with. We value candidates who have the instinct to spot a \"normalized\" problem and the AI-native curiosity to create a solution using the latest tools. Our culture is built on iteration, leveraging AI to ship faster today to make it better tomorrow, while ensuring that every improvement, no matter how small, is shared across the team to lift everyone up. If you’re the type of person who values curiosity over bureaucracy, and that AI is a partner in solving tough problems to keep the Internet moving forward, you’ll fit right in.

Locations: Austin/TX, Dallas/TX or Atlanta/GA

As a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE), you will be a dedicated the company expert directly embedded within the team of one of our most strategic and fast‑paced customers. You will serve as the primary technical resource, architecting complex multi‑stage migrations and providing the hands‑on configuration necessary to drive the success of unique web infrastructure requirements. We are looking for a proactive, high‑trust partner who thrives in agile environments, acts as a bridge to internal product teams, and possesses a deep passion for the future of AI‑driven security.

Role Responsibilities

Customer Engagement & Technical Leadership: Serve as a trusted advisor to key enterprise customers, providing technical insights, best practices, and strategic recommendations that support their business goals and drive success with the company’s solutions in particular the company’s worker and workers AI platforms. Lead architectural discussions, design sessions, and solution reviews to ensure the optimal application of the company’s offerings in customer environments. Diagnose complex technical issues and deliver effective, strategic solutions in collaboration with the support and product teams.
Architect Application Security: Design and configure comprehensive, tailored solutions with a focus on Application Security, utilizing the company 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 relied on Terraform to ensure seamless operational stability.
Act as a Strategic Liaison: Serve as a high‑speed conduit between the customer and internal the company teams (Product, Support, Engineering), effectively advocating for customer needs and influencing product roadmaps.
Navigate Modern Communication: Manage complex, fast‑moving technical discussions primarily through Slack, acting as a guide for the customer even when formal calls are difficult to schedule.
Drive AI Innovation: Leverage your deep knowledge of AI/LLM concepts to align the company’s capabilities with the customer’s AI‑focused culture and future technological goals.
Provide Long‑Term Guidance: Stay with the account post‑migration as a trusted advisor to identify future strategic initiatives, including a transition 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 and proven knowledge of development platforms such as the company’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 \"Slack‑first\" communication cultures, 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 be adjusted depending on work location.

This role is eligible to earn incentive compensation under the company’s Sales Compensation Plan.

The estimated annual salary range includes the on‑target incentive compensation that may be attained in this role under the Sales Compensation Plan.

For Colorado, Hawaii, and Illinois based hires: Estimated annual salary of $167,000 - $230,000.

For New York City, New Jersey, Washington, Washington DC, and California (excluding Bay Area) based hires: Estimated annual salary of $184,000 - $253,000.

For Bay Area based hires: Estimated annual salary of $192,000 - $264,000.

Equity

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

Benefits

the company offers a complete package of benefits and programs to support you and your family. Our benefits programs can help you pay health care expenses, support caregiving, build capital for the future and make life a little easier and fun! The below is a description of our benefits for employees in the United States, and benefits may vary for employees based outside the U.S.

Health & Welfare Benefits