Forward Deployed Engineer — Summer 2026 Intern
Role Description
Dedalus (YC S25) is hiring Forward Deployed Engineer interns for Summer 2026 (June–August) to help customers and developers build practical AI agent systems on top of our infrastructure platform.
This role sits at the intersection of engineering, product, and user enablement. You will work directly with users, help design and prototype solutions, build integrations and demos, and rapidly iterate on real-world agent workflows. The ideal candidate enjoys both building technical systems and helping others succeed with them.
What You’ll Work On -----------------------
- Building and deploying AI agent workflows and integrations
- Working directly with developers and users to solve technical problems
- Creating demos, prototypes, and developer tooling
- Supporting customer onboarding and technical implementation
- Designing practical solutions using AI agents and infrastructure tools
- Collaborating closely with engineering and product teams
Requirements ----------------
- Passion for building and shipping practical solutions
- Strong communication skills and enthusiasm for engaging with users
- Ability to understand user needs and design effective technical solutions
- Enjoy teaching, demonstrating, and enabling others to build with agents
- Proficiency in Python, TypeScript, Go, Rust, or similar languages
- Strong technical foundation in computer science or related fields
Nice-to-Have ------------------
- Experience building AI agents, developer tools, or infrastructure products
- Experience with APIs, integrations, or cloud platforms
- Hackathon, startup, research, or open-source experience
- Strong product intuition and rapid prototyping ability
- Experience working in fast-paced or highly ambiguous environments
What We Look For --------------------
We look for people who combine technical ability with strong character, initiative, and a commitment to building meaningful technology.
- High agency and ownership mindset
- Fast learner who thrives in dynamic environments
- Collaborative, kind, and team-oriented
- Open-minded, creative, and intellectually curious
- Strong problem-solving ability and practical judgment
- Thoughtful perspectives on technology and its applications
- Resilient and composed under ambiguity or pressure
Compensation & Benefits ----------------------------
- Competitive compensation
- Housing and relocation support available
- Meals and office benefits included
- In-person in San Francisco
To apply, submit your resume, GitHub, personal website, demos, projects, or anything else that shows how you build and solve problems.
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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