Forward Deployed Engineer (Principal)

About the role

For our client, we are seeking a Forward Deployed Engineer (Principal) to join the team of a leader in the Telecommunications & Hardware space. This principal-level role sits at the intersection of deep technical architecture and customer engagement, helping enterprise stakeholders translate complex needs into scalable solutions. You will partner closely with engineering teams and customer architects to design, validate, and improve production systems in demanding environments. The role also focuses on bridging legacy infrastructure with cloud-native modernization while influencing product direction through real-world implementation insights. Location: Remote - US based candidates only, no visa sponsorship available.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary technical authority between engineering teams and enterprise customer architects
• Architect and validate production-grade Kubernetes and VMware topologies
• Design production systems for real-time AI inferencing and data pipelines
• Lead migration strategies for transitioning complex legacy systems to cloud-native solutions
• Engineer high-value prototypes and contribute code into core repositories
• Synthesize customer pain points into product strategies with management
• Establish best practices and mentor team members to improve performance

Qualifications

• 10+ years of software engineering experience
• 5+ years in infrastructure, distributed systems, AI platforms, or Kubernetes at scale
• Proven credibility with C-suite stakeholders
• Expertise in Kubernetes mechanics and GitOps architecture
• Extensive experience with high-throughput AI inferencing and virtualized GPU environments
• Track record of successful legacy-to-cloud-native migrations
• Hands-on coding proficiency in Go, Python, or Java

Pay

$132,200 – $211,500 annually

Benefits

• Discretionary annual bonuses
• Competitive new hire equity grants and annual equity awards
• Collaborative environment with opportunities for impactful contributions
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
• 401(K) with company matching
• Employee stock purchase program
• Paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation time