At a Glance
- Tasks: Deploy AI testing agents in real-world environments and solve complex quality issues.
- Company: Duku AI, a venture-backed startup revolutionising software quality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work environment, and opportunities for rapid career growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of software testing and make a real impact with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Strong engineering skills, experience with AI systems, and a proactive problem-solving mindset.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team led by industry veterans and redefine software quality standards.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
QA is breaking under the weight of modern software. Releases are faster, systems are more complex, and test suites are brittle, slow, and increasingly ignored. Duku AI is building autonomous testing agents that run real user journeys, adapt as code changes, and surface risk before customers do. This role sits at the centre of that mission.
We’re venture-backed and led by operators who’ve scaled Meta’s testing infrastructure, launched Uber’s global playbooks, and grew Deliveroo from zero to hypergrowth. We know what elite execution looks like and we’re hunting for one more builder to help us rewrite the rules of software quality.
This is not a support role. It is not a solutions engineer. It is not a ticket factory. This is a builder role for someone who wants to shape product by deploying it into the real world.
What You’ll Do
- Deploy Duku AI into live customer environments and make it work under real constraints
- Sit directly with founders, CTOs, and engineering leads to understand where quality breaks at scale
- Translate messy, real-world product and infrastructure problems into durable platform capabilities
- Design, tune, and evolve AI testing agents that explore complex user journeys autonomously
- Own systems end to end: from code and models to infra, observability, and production reliability
- Ship fast, measure impact, and iterate relentlessly
- Feed sharp, first-principles insight back into the core roadmap and product direction
What We’re Looking For
- Strong engineering judgement and an instinct for shipping
- Comfort operating without a playbook, process, or safety net
- Ability to move from prototype to production without hand-holding
- Fluency across backend systems, modern frontend, and cloud infrastructure
- Practical experience working with LLMs, agentic systems, or AI-driven workflows
- High ownership mentality: you see problems, you fix them
- Clear communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders
Ideal Background
- There’s no perfect pedigree. We hire for mindset, not credentials. That said, you might have:
- Built and shipped complex systems in early-stage startups
- Deployed AI or data-driven features into production environments
- Worked close to customers solving high-stakes technical problems
- Taken products from rough prototype to something people rely on daily
Why This Matters
Software velocity is accelerating. QA has not kept up. Autonomous testing is inevitable. Forward Deployed Engineers at Duku sit at the edge of that shift. You are where product, customer reality, and AI systems collide. What you learn and build directly shapes the platform and the category we are creating. Join now, and you help define how software gets tested for the next decade.
Forward Deployed Engineer employer: Duku AI
Contact Detail:
Duku AI Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Forward Deployed Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Duku AI's mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their journey.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical discussions! Brush up on your engineering skills and be ready to discuss how you've tackled complex problems in the past. Show them you can think on your feet and adapt without a playbook.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to showcase your ownership mentality! Share examples of when you've taken initiative and solved problems independently. Duku AI is looking for builders, so let them see that you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work!
We think you need these skills to ace Forward Deployed Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Building: When you write your application, let your enthusiasm for building and shaping products shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you’re genuinely excited about the opportunity to make an impact in the world of software quality.
Be Clear and Concise: We appreciate straightforward communication. Make sure your application is easy to read and gets straight to the point. Highlight your relevant experience and skills without unnecessary fluff – we want to know how you can contribute to our mission!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the Forward Deployed Engineer role. Show us how your background aligns with what we’re looking for and why you’re the perfect fit for Duku AI.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures it gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us that you’re proactive and keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Duku AI
✨Understand the Mission
Before your interview, dive deep into Duku AI's mission and the challenges they face in QA. Familiarise yourself with their approach to autonomous testing agents and think about how your skills can contribute to solving real-world problems in software quality.
✨Showcase Your Engineering Judgement
Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experiences where you demonstrated strong engineering judgement. Highlight situations where you had to make decisions without a playbook and how you successfully navigated those challenges.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since you'll be interacting with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. This will show that you can bridge the gap between different teams and ensure everyone is on the same page.
✨Demonstrate Ownership Mentality
During the interview, share instances where you took ownership of a project or problem. Emphasise your proactive approach to identifying issues and implementing solutions, as this aligns perfectly with the high ownership mentality Duku AI is looking for.