At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and implement real-time communication and voice AI applications with customers.
- Company: Join LiveKit, a cutting-edge tech company transforming the future of AI and communication.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity, health benefits, and flexible vacation policy.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for open-source contributions and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping developers succeed with innovative technology.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in backend or infrastructure engineering; proficient in programming languages like Go or Python.
The predicted salary is between 126000 - 185000 £ per year.
LiveKit is building the infrastructure layer for the agentic era of computing. Our platform gives developers everything they need to build, test, deploy, scale, and observe AI agents in production. Founded in 2021, LiveKit powers voice and agentic AI applications for OpenAI, Salesforce, Spotify, Meta, and tens of thousands of other developers, collectively facilitating billions of calls each year.
LiveKit is seeking a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) to work directly with customers building real‑time communication and voice AI applications on the LiveKit platform. This role sits at the intersection of engineering, architecture, and customer implementation. Forward Deployed Engineers partner closely with customers to design systems, prototype solutions, and solve complex technical challenges as teams move from experimentation to production. You’ll work alongside customers’ engineering teams to help them successfully deploy and scale applications built on LiveKit — designing architectures, building integrations, debugging production issues, and developing reference implementations that demonstrate best practices. This is an ideal role for engineers who enjoy solving real‑world problems in real customer environments. You’ll collaborate closely with Product and Engineering to surface insights from customer implementations and help shape the future of the LiveKit platform.
Mission
Make it seamless for developers to build and scale real‑time audio, video, and AI applications on LiveKit.
You’ll Thrive Here If You:
- are obsessed with helping developers succeed
- are known as the go‑to person for solving tricky technical issues
- work hard and can move fast without sacrificing quality
- care deeply about polish, detail, and clear communication
- are a fast learner, frequently picking up new tools, systems, and skills
What You’ll Do
- Work directly (remotely or on‑site when necessary) with customer engineering teams to design and implement real‑time applications built on LiveKit
- Design scalable architectures for voice AI, real‑time media, and developer platform use cases
- Build prototype integrations, reference implementations, and sample applications to accelerate customer development
- Help customers navigate SDKs, APIs, infrastructure, and deployment strategies for production systems
- Debug and troubleshoot complex technical issues in production environments
- Lead technical workshops and architecture sessions with developers and product teams
- Translate customer needs into technical insights that inform product and platform development
- Partner with Product and Engineering to improve developer experience, documentation, and tooling
- Contribute code, examples, or improvements to LiveKit’s open‑source ecosystem when helpful
- Act as a trusted advisor helping customers successfully launch and scale applications on LiveKit
Who You Are
- Strong engineering background with 5+ years of experience in backend or infrastructure engineering
- Proficient in one or more programming languages such as Go, Python, Node, Rust, or C++
- Comfortable working across APIs, SDKs, distributed systems, and cloud infrastructure
- Experience building or integrating developer platforms or real‑time systems
- Able to quickly understand complex systems and debug issues in real‑world environments
- Strong communicator who can collaborate directly with customer engineering teams and internal product teams
- Comfortable operating in fast‑paced, low‑process environments where ownership and initiative matter
- Excited to work hands‑on with customers solving complex technical implementation challenges
Nice to Have
- Experience with WebRTC, real‑time media systems, or telephony/SIP infrastructure
- Familiarity with voice AI, conversational agents, or AI infrastructure
- Experience working in customer‑facing engineering roles such as Solutions Engineer, Field Engineer, or Forward Deployed Engineer
- Experience contributing to open‑source projects or developer ecosystems
- Previous experience building with or integrating LiveKit
Our Commitment to You
- An opportunity to build something truly impactful to the world
- Contribute to open source alongside world‑class engineers
- Competitive salary and equity package
- Health, dental, and vision benefits
- Flexible vacation policy
LiveKit is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable law. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact recruiting@livekit.io.
Compensation Range: £126K - £185K
Forward Deployed Engineer at LiveKit employer: LiveKit
LiveKit is an exceptional employer located in London, offering a dynamic work environment where engineers can thrive while solving real-world challenges in real customer settings. With a strong commitment to employee growth, competitive salaries, and a flexible vacation policy, LiveKit fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation, empowering its team to contribute to impactful projects in the rapidly evolving field of AI and real-time communication.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Forward Deployed Engineer at LiveKit
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at LiveKit or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to LiveKit.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like LiveKit.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like LiveKit that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Forward Deployed Engineer at LiveKit
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at LiveKit.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at LiveKit and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at LiveKit
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If LiveKit uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
