Forward Deployed Engineer

📋 Description

• • As a Forward Deployed Engineer at Siftstack Inc., you will be at the forefront of innovation, bridging the critical gap between our advanced telemetry platform and the complex, real-world engineering challenges faced by our customers. This role is pivotal in ensuring that Sift’s cutting-edge technology is not only understood but also expertly adapted and integrated to solve mission-critical problems in industries such as aerospace, autonomous systems, and renewable energy. You will be the technical lynchpin, working directly with customer engineering teams to tailor Sift’s capabilities, develop bespoke solutions, and cultivate robust, trust-based partnerships. Your contributions will directly influence the success of next-generation machines and the evolution of our platform, making this a unique opportunity to shape the future of modern machine development in an early-stage startup environment.
• • Your day-to-day will be dynamic and deeply engaging, involving close collaboration with customer engineering teams to thoroughly understand their unique technical hurdles and operational environments. You will be instrumental in adapting Sift’s powerful telemetry platform to precisely meet these specific customer needs, ensuring maximum value and efficacy. A significant part of your role will involve developing custom solutions and sophisticated integrations, leveraging Sift’s robust APIs to overcome complex customer problems and unlock new possibilities. You will act as a crucial conduit, translating intricate customer requirements and feedback into clear, actionable insights for Sift’s product and engineering teams, thereby driving the platform’s continuous improvement and future development. Furthermore, you will be responsible for creating and maintaining seamless integrations with a variety of common engineering tools, thereby enhancing customer workflows and streamlining their development processes. A key aspect of your responsibility will also include preparing comprehensive technical materials and actively assisting in the technical onboarding and training sessions for customer teams, empowering them to fully utilize Sift’s capabilities. Ultimately, you will focus on building and nurturing strong, trust-based relationships with our customers, serving as their dedicated technical partner and a vocal advocate for their success within Sift.
• • You will be joining a highly motivated and experienced team, born from the demanding environments of SpaceX, Google, and Palantir. This team is dedicated to redefining how modern machines are built, tested, and operated, focusing on providing real-time observability over high-frequency telemetry to eliminate bottlenecks and accelerate development. Sift’s platform is specifically engineered for mission-critical systems where precision, scalability, and reliability are paramount. You will be part of a company that understands the stakes involved in developing advanced technologies, having directly contributed to groundbreaking projects like Dragon, Falcon, Starlink, and Starship.
• • In this role, you will gain invaluable experience working at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and demanding industrial applications. You will develop a deep understanding of complex engineering systems across various high-tech sectors and hone your skills in API integration, custom solution development, and customer relationship management within a fast-paced startup setting. You will have the opportunity to directly influence the product roadmap by providing real-world customer feedback and see the tangible impact of your work on the success of our clients and the advancement of Sift’s platform. This position offers a unique chance to grow your expertise in a supportive environment that encourages continuous learning and adaptation, preparing you for future leadership opportunities in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
• • The ideal candidate will possess a strong foundation in software or data engineering, with at least two years of professional experience. Proficiency in Python is essential, complemented by a solid understanding of REST APIs, which are critical for developing integrations and custom solutions. A basic grasp of data analysis and visualization techniques will be beneficial for interpreting telemetry data and presenting insights to customers. The role demands exceptional problem-solving skills, characterized by a meticulous attention to detail and the ability to dissect complex technical issues. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are paramount, enabling you to articulate technical concepts clearly and effectively to a diverse range of stakeholders, from highly technical engineers to less technical client representatives. A genuine passion for industries such as aerospace, autonomous systems, or other advanced engineering applications is highly desired, as it will fuel your engagement and understanding of customer needs. Furthermore, a proactive eagerness to learn and adapt in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment is crucial for success. A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant STEM field, such as computer science, data science, engineering, mathematics, or physics, provides a strong academic underpinning for the technical demands of this role.
• • Beyond the core technical requirements, we are seeking individuals who embody a customer-first mindset, demonstrating a genuine excitement for tackling and solving real-world engineering problems directly in the field. The ability to thrive in ambiguity, adapting swiftly and effectively to evolving customer needs and project requirements, is a key attribute. You should be a highly collaborative team player, capable of working synergistically with customers, Sift’s internal engineering and product teams, and go-to-market functions to collectively drive significant impact and achieve shared objectives. This collaborative spirit ensures that Sift remains aligned with customer needs and market demands, fostering a cohesive and results-oriented approach to business development and product evolution. The willingness and ability to work from the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area or travel to customer sites Monday through Thursday is a fundamental requirement due to the hands-on nature and business necessities of the role, underscoring the importance of on-site engagement and direct client interaction. This hybrid approach ensures both proximity to Sift’s headquarters and the flexibility needed for essential customer visits, facilitating strong working relationships and efficient problem resolution.
• • The role necessitates a willingness and ability to travel approximately 10-15% of the time, with the exact percentage varying based on specific location and evolving customer needs. This travel is essential for on-site collaboration, problem-solving, and relationship building. Sift’s headquarters are strategically located in Los Angeles (Marina del Rey), operating within a hybrid work environment. This location is particularly important as Sift collaborates closely with hardware companies developing cutting-edge technologies, including autonomous vehicles and spacecraft. Being physically accessible for site visits and direct collaboration is therefore critical to the success of the role and the company's mission. The salary range for this position is competitive, set between $105,000 and $150,000 per year, in addition to equity and comprehensive benefits, reflecting the value and impact of this critical role within the organization. Eligibility requires US Person status, meaning candidates must be a U.S. Citizen or Green Card Holder, a necessary condition due to compliance requirements with ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) and EAR (Export Administration Regulations).