Role Description
Forward Deployed Engineer- Full-time position
Location- Redwood City, CA
About this role
As a Senior Forward Deployed Engineer, you’ll deliver Retells voice AI solutions to enterprise clients, embedding with their teams to build production-ready systems.You’ll bridge technical and non-technical stakeholders with exceptional communication, driving adoption and shaping our platform through customer insights.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead end-to-end delivery of projects using Retell's voice agent platform - from prototyping to production, communicating progress and risks clearly.
- Become go-to experts on building voice AI solutions, especially LLM prompting tips & tricks.
- Build full-stack integrations (Python, JavaScript) with enterprise tools (e.g. CRMs, ERPs, scheduling tools)
- Partner with sales to engage clients to gather requirements, prototype demos, and present system designs.
- Scope projects, resolve blockers, and align teams with concise updates.
- Codify reusable patterns into tools or platform components.
- Translate field feedback into actionable product and GTM recommendations.
- 5+ years of experience in a customer-facing role at multiple start-ups or tenured in big tech
- Tech stack- React, Node.js, JavaScript, Python
LinkedIn URLs are mandate for proceeding further.
Visa sponsorship detailsOpen to visa transfers (e.g. OPT, H1B transfers)
Additional visa sponsorship details-Open to all except net new H1Bs
Pay: $21,500.00 - $290,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
About Forward Deployed Engineering
Forward Deployed Engineers are embedded directly with customers to build custom solutions, integrate products into existing infrastructure, and bridge the gap between product engineering and customer success. The role combines deep technical skills with the ability to operate in client environments and translate business requirements into working software.
Originally pioneered by Palantir, the FDE model has spread across AI, enterprise SaaS, and cloud infrastructure companies. FDEs write production code, architect integrations, train customer teams, and feed product insights back to the core engineering organization. At companies like OpenAI, Salesforce, and Databricks, FDE teams are treated as elite engineering units that can ship custom solutions in days rather than quarters.
Typical FDE stack: Python, TypeScript, SQL, REST/GraphQL APIs, cloud platforms (AWS/GCP/Azure), and increasingly LLM APIs and AI orchestration frameworks. Strong communication and the ability to context-switch between technical and business conversations are as important as coding ability.
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