S Open role · via a16z Speedrun Staff Forward Deployed Software Engineer Spruce Systems FORWARD-DEPLOYED Express interest →

JoinStartup; United States; Remote; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

SpruceID, a privacy-preserving digital identity company, is seeking a Staff Forward Deployed Software Engineer for fully remote work within the US. You will lead medium- to large-scale projects, translate customer requirements into technical solutions, and collaborate with internal teams and external partners to deliver secure identity solutions.

You will own technical design, drive architecture decisions, and provide mentorship while engaging directly with customers.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of software engineering experience.
• Proven solo leadership of medium- to large-scale projects.
• Strong stakeholder management across technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proficiency in Rust, Go, Java, or C#.
• Experience with APIs, system integrations and cloud infrastructure.
• Willingness to travel and based in the US.

Responsibilities

• Lead medium- to large-scale software projects from requirements through deployment and maintenance.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to align priorities and manage expectations.
• Own technical design decisions for scalable, secure solutions.
• Architect and maintain backend systems and full-stack applications.
• Serve as the technical point of contact for customers and partners.
• Mentor other engineers and contribute to engineering best practices.
• Collaborate with product and delivery teams to manage dependencies and risks.

Skills

Rust

Go

Java

C#

APIs

System integrations

Cloud infrastructure

Stakeholder management

Job description

Spruce Systems# Staff Forward Deployed Software Engineer Remote-friendly REMOTEAT A GLANCEStaff-level forward deployed engineer leading medium-to-large digital identity projects with customers, combining hands-on development with technical project leadership and stakeholder management.LEVELstaff · 7+ yrsKEY SKILLSRustGoJavaC#Backend developmentAPIsSystem integrationsCloud infrastructureDigital identityVerifiable credentialsAuthentication protocolsSecurity standardsProject leadershipStakeholder managementWHAT YOU'LL DO* Lead medium-to-large software engineering projects from requirements through deployment and maintenance* Work with internal and external stakeholders to understand requirements and manage expectations* Own technical design and implementation decisions for scalable, secure solutions* Architect, develop, and maintain backend systems and full-stack web applications* Serve as key technical point of contact for customers and partners* Support integrations with customer infrastructure and legacy systems* Translate complex customer requirements into technical specifications* Identify technical risks and project dependenciesTHE ROLEAbout SpruceID SpruceID builds privacy-preserving, standards-based digital identity and credentialing solutions that give individuals control of their information while enabling governments and enterprises to deliver secure, interoperable services. We partner with public-sector organizations to modernize how identity is issued, verified, and used.About the Role As a Staff Forward Deployed Software Engineer, you will play a key role in delivering SpruceID's digital identity solutions to our customers and partners. You will lead medium- to large-scale technical projects, working closely with internal engineering teams and external stakeholders to ensure successful implementation and delivery. This role combines hands-on software engineering, technical project leadership, and stakeholder collaboration. You'll work directly with customers to understand their requirements, translate business needs into technical solutions, and coordinate across teams to drive projects forward. The ideal candidate brings strong technical expertise, experience independently leading complex engineering projects, and the ability to build trusted relationships with technical and non-technical stakeholders. You should be comfortable navigating ambiguity, managing competing priorities, and taking ownership of technical outcomes. Experience with digital identity, security, privacy, and credentialing technologies is highly valuable. This job is fully remote within the US.What You'll Do* Lead medium- to large-scale software engineering projects from requirements gathering and technical planning through implementation, deployment, and ongoing maintenance.* Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to understand requirements, align priorities, manage expectations, and ensure successful project delivery.* Own technical design and implementation decisions, ensuring solutions are scalable, secure, maintainable, and aligned with customer needs.* Collaborate with engineering, product, and delivery teams to coordinate dependencies, resolve blockers, and deliver high-quality solutions.* Serve as a key technical point of contact for customers and partners, communicating project progress, technical decisions, risks, and recommendations.* Architect, develop, and maintain backend systems, full-stack web applications, and integrations supporting SpruceID's digital identity solutions.* Translate complex customer requirements into clear technical specifications and actionable implementation plans.* Proactively identify technical risks, project dependencies, and opportunities to improve delivery efficiency.* Support integrations with customer infrastructure, third-party services, and legacy systems.* Contribute to code reviews, technical documentation, testing, and engineering best practices.* Provide technical guidance and mentorship to other engineers, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.* Partner with internal teams to share customer feedback and contribute to product and platform improvements.Qualifications* 7+ years of professional software engineering experience, including designing, building, and maintaining production-grade applications.* Proven experience independently leading medium- to large-scale engineering projects, coordinating multiple teams and driving technical initiatives from planning through delivery.* Strong stakeholder management experience, including working directly with customers, gathering requirements, aligning expectations, and communicating effectively across technical and non-technical audiences.* Proficiency in one or more statically typed programming languages such as Rust, Go, Java, or C#.* Strong understanding of software architecture, backend development, APIs, system integrations, and cloud infrastructure.* Experience making technical design decisions, evaluating tradeoffs, and solving complex engineering challenges.* Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including engineering, product, and delivery.* Ability to navigate ambiguity, manage competing priorities, and take ownership of outcomes with minimal oversight.* Excellent problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.* Experience working directly with customers or external partners in technical delivery or implementation environments.* Based in the US and willing to travel as needed to support customer engagements (should not be much).Bonus Qualifications* Experience with digital identity, verifiable credentials, digital wallets, or identity verification solutions.* Knowledge of privacy-preserving technologies, authentication protocols, security standards, and interoperability frameworks.* Experience working with public-sector organizations, government agencies, or highly regulated industries.* Familiarity with SpruceID's technology ecosystem and standards-based digital identity solutions.* Experience leading complex integrations involving multiple systems, vendors, or external partners.* Familiarity with accessibility, compliance, and legacy system modernization.* Experience mentoring engineers or providing technical leadership across project teams.* Background in forward deployed engineering, solutions engineering, technical consulting, or other customer-facing engineering roles.Equal Opportunity At SpruceID, we value diversity of perspectives and backgrounds. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or veteran status.Sourced from the a16z Speedrun talent network — apply on Speedrun.