
Junior Forward Deployed Engineer
Required skills
- software engineering
- frontend
- backend
- APIs
- databases
- SQL
- AI
- LLM
- production code
- internal tools
Nice to have
- Next.js
- Vercel
- Supabase
- Python
- Anthropic
- OpenAI
Role summary
Interplay is seeking a Junior Forward Deployed Engineer to join their AI operations platform team in New York City. This hybrid role involves embedding with business lines (Ventures, Accelerator, Studio, Ascend) to understand operational needs and rapidly translate them into working software, including internal tools, integrations, and AI-powered features. The engineer will write production code across frontend, backend, and APIs, integrate LLM automation, and iterate based on user feedback. The ideal candidate has 0-2 years of engineering experience, is comfortable with ambiguity and non-technical stakeholders, and is eager to learn and apply AI/LLM tooling.
JUNIOR FORWARD DEPLOYED ENGINEER
LOCATION
New York, NY, USA(Hybrid work – required to be in office 2–3 days/week)
JOB DESCRIPTION
At Interplay, we invest, coach, and cofound companies. We're building a next-generation AI operations platform designed to transform how our firm and portfolio companies operate. We're looking for a Junior Forward Deployed Engineer to embed directly with our business lines (Ventures, Accelerator, Studio, and Ascend) and translate real operational needs into working software, fast. You'll sit next to the end user, ship quickly, and iterate in the room rather than over a spec doc.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Embed with business line teams to understand their workflows firsthand.
Rapidly prototype and ship internal tools, integrations, and AI-powered features.
Translate ambiguous, real-world problems into scoped technical solutions.
Write production code across frontend, backend, and APIs.
Integrate LLM-powered automation into day-to-day workflows.
Demo early, gather feedback in person, and ship again.
Document what you build and hand off durable solutions as needs stabilize.
WHO YOU ARE
A builder with 0–2 years of engineering experience, hungry to learn fast in a high-ownership environment.
Energized by ambiguity and comfortable working directly with non-technical stakeholders.
Scrappy — you'd rather ship a rough version today than a polished one next month.
Curious about AI and LLM tooling and eager to apply it to real problems.
A strong communicator who can explain technical tradeoffs simply.
Low ego, coachable, and outcome-driven.
REQUIRED SKILLS
0–2 years in software engineering (internships and strong personal projects count).
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
Working proficiency across at least one modern frontend and backend stack.
Track record of shipping applications end to end.
Solid understanding of APIs and databases (SQL).
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
U.S. work authorization.
NICE TO HAVE
Experience with Next.js, Vercel, and Supabase.
Strong Python background.
Familiarity with AI/LLM platforms (Anthropic, OpenAI, Gemini).
Proficient in Claude Code / Cursor / Other AI Enabled Coding tools
Plus (Experience building agents)
COMPENSATION
$85–100k base salary, commensurate with experienceCompetitive health benefits
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