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Entertainment, Music Production, Media Production

Forward Deployed Engineer

San Francisco, California, United StatesOnsiteFull Time$120,000–$180,000 /yrPosted 2 months agoHidden Gem · YC Startup

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Role summary

HappyRobot is seeking a Forward Deployed Engineer to join their AI-native operating system company. This role involves working directly with customers to ensure they maximize value from the AI platform, covering onboarding, implementation, and ongoing support. Responsibilities include full-stack development using React, TypeScript, Node.js, and Python, as well as designing and implementing AI/ML solutions, managing APIs, and integrating with third-party systems. The engineer will collaborate with internal teams and iterate on solutions based on customer feedback, requiring strong project management skills and a founder mindset. This is a hybrid role within a high-growth AI startup backed by top investors.

HappyRobot is the AI-native operating system for the real economy—a system that closes the circuit between intelligence and action. By combining real-time truth, specialized AI workers, and an orchestrating intelligence, we help enterprises run complex, mission-critical operations with true autonomy.

Our AI OS compounds knowledge, optimizes at every level, and evolves over time. We’re starting with supply chain and industrial-scale operations, where resilience, speed, and continuous improvement matter most—freeing humans to focus on strategy, creativity, and other high-value tasks.

You can learn more about our vision in our [Manifesto](https://www.happyrobot.ai/blog/manifesto).

HappyRobot has raised $62M to date, including our most recent $44M Series B in September 2025. Our investors include Y Combinator (YC), Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), and Base10—partners who believe in our mission to redefine how enterprises operate. We’re channeling this investment into building a world-class team: people with relentless drive, sharp problem-solving skills, and the passion to push limits in a fast-paced, high-intensity environment. If this resonates, you belong at HappyRobot.

**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.

## 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
Ready to apply?
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