Forward Deployed Engineer at Ramp
New York, NY · 15-25 FDEs · $160,000 - $220,000
Overview
Ramp FDEs deploy the company's corporate card, expense management, and financial automation platform for enterprise customers. Ramp is one of the fastest-growing fintech companies, and their FDE team handles the complex financial system integrations that enterprise adoption requires. FDEs at Ramp work at the intersection of fintech infrastructure and enterprise IT, making it a unique FDE role focused on financial data rather than AI or analytics.
What FDEs Do at Ramp
Ramp FDEs build custom integrations between Ramp's financial platform and customer systems: ERP platforms (NetSuite, SAP, Oracle), HRIS systems (Workday, BambooHR), accounting software (QuickBooks, Xero), and banking infrastructure. They also configure custom approval workflows, build expense policy automation, and implement financial controls specific to each customer. The work is less AI-focused than OpenAI or Anthropic but more operationally critical: getting financial data wrong has immediate, measurable business impact.
Tech Stack
Python, TypeScript, SQL, REST APIs, GraphQL, Ramp's internal platform, ERP integration tools, financial data standards (ISO 20022, NACHA). FDEs need strong API integration skills and comfort working with financial data. Understanding of accounting principles (GL codes, cost centers, accrual vs. cash accounting) is surprisingly helpful for this role.
Interview Process
Ramp's FDE interview is 4-5 rounds: recruiter screen, coding (practical API and data work), system design (integration architecture focus), customer scenario, and a team fit round. Ramp moves faster than most companies (2 weeks from first call to offer). They value speed and execution. The technical bar is high but the problems are more practical than algorithmic. Expect questions about designing strong integrations, handling edge cases in financial data, and managing data migration between systems.
Culture & Work-Life
Speed-obsessed startup culture. Ramp ships fast and expects FDEs to match that pace. The team is lean, which means each FDE handles significant customer impact. NYC-based with a strong in-office culture, though some remote FDE roles exist. Compensation is competitive for a growth-stage startup, with meaningful equity grants. Ramp's valuation has grown rapidly, making early equity grants potentially very valuable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Ramp's FDE role different?
Ramp FDEs focus on financial system integrations rather than AI or analytics deployments. This means more work with ERP systems, accounting software, and banking infrastructure. The work is highly operational: accuracy matters more than speed because financial data errors have immediate, quantifiable business impact. If you enjoy data integration and financial systems, Ramp's FDE role is uniquely well-suited.
Do I need fintech experience for Ramp's FDE role?
Not required but helpful. Ramp looks for strong software engineers who can learn financial systems on the job. That said, candidates who understand accounting concepts (GL codes, journal entries, cost centers) or have worked with ERP systems have a meaningful advantage. If you've built integrations with financial APIs or worked at a fintech company, highlight that experience prominently.
What is Ramp FDE compensation?
Base salary ranges from $160,000 to $220,000. Total compensation including equity is competitive with larger companies when factoring in Ramp's rapid valuation growth. Ramp stock options are pre-IPO, meaning they carry both upside potential and liquidity risk. The equity component can be significant for early FDE hires.
Is Ramp's FDE role in-office?
Ramp has a strong in-office culture in their New York City headquarters. Most FDE roles are based in NYC with in-office expectations 3-4 days per week. Some remote FDE roles exist but are less common. If you're committed to remote work, other companies (Salesforce, Databricks) offer more flexibility.
What's the career path for a Ramp FDE?
Ramp FDEs commonly progress to: senior FDE (managing larger enterprise accounts), engineering management within Ramp's customer-facing engineering org, product management (especially for integration and platform products), or solutions architecture roles at other fintech companies. Ramp's lean team structure means FDEs get broad exposure that accelerates career growth faster than at larger companies.
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