At a Glance
- Tasks: Build cutting-edge agents and data pipelines directly with customers in their environment.
- Company: Join Redpanda, a pioneering tech company transforming AI infrastructure.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, remote work flexibility, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel opportunities and excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by developing innovative solutions for global leaders.
- Qualifications: Experience in software development, especially with backend systems and integrations.
Redpanda is pioneering the Agentic Data Plane (ADP) - a new category in AI infrastructure that makes it simple and secure to connect AI agents with enterprise data and systems. Built on a multi‑modal data streaming engine, Redpanda empowers agentic applications that reason and act in real‑time with speed, autonomy, and precision. Global leaders including Activision Blizzard, Cisco, Moody's, Texas Instruments, Vodafone and 2 of the top 5 banks in the U.S. rely on Redpanda to process hundreds of terabytes of data a day. Backed by premier venture investors Lightspeed, GV and Haystack VC, Redpanda is a diverse, people‑first organization with teams distributed around the globe.
About the Role: Redpanda is building the Agentic Data Plane (ADP) — the streaming and data infrastructure the world’s largest enterprises run mission‑critical agents on. Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE) is the delivery arm. We embed engineers directly with strategic customers and build the agents and integrations that turn ADP into owned outcomes. As a Forward Deployed Engineer, you are the builder: embedded on‑site, working inside the customer’s environment, writing the code that ships. This is not a solutions engineering role. You are here to build — agents, integrations, data pipelines, and the infrastructure that runs them — alongside a customer team, in their environment, on their timeline.
You Will:
- Build at the customer site.
- Write production‑quality agents, integrations, and data pipelines on Redpanda ADP, inside the customer’s environment and codebase.
- Work in unfamiliar territory, fast.
- Own the technical deliverable.
- Be the Redpanda technical voice with the customer’s engineers.
- Drive toward exit from day one.
- Feed learnings back.
You Have:
- Engineering depth.
- Agent and integration experience.
- Ability to operate in any environment.
- Customer‑facing communication.
- Shipped at a customer site or in a deployment context.
Bonus:
- Experience in a forward‑deployed or customer‑embedded engineering model.
- Background in streaming or real‑time data systems.
- Experience in regulated industries or air‑gapped environments.
- Have been the first or only technical person in a customer engagement.
How We Work: Reports to: Head of FDE. Travel: 30–50% during active engagements; lighter between engagements. Join Redpanda if you’d enjoy being part of a fast‑moving, diverse, people‑first organization with team members around the globe and a culture based on trust, transparency, communication, and kindness.
Forward Deployed Engineer employer: Redpanda Data
Redpanda is an exceptional employer for Forward Deployed Engineers, offering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises trust, transparency, and collaboration. With opportunities to work directly with leading global enterprises, employees can expect meaningful engagement in cutting-edge AI infrastructure projects while benefiting from a remote-first approach that supports work-life balance and professional growth. The company fosters a diverse environment where innovative ideas are encouraged, making it an ideal place for engineers looking to make a significant impact in their field.
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 Redpanda's projects, values, and culture. This way, when you chat with them, you can show you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their mission.
✨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 interviews by brushing up on your coding skills and understanding data pipelines. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how they relate to what Redpanda is doing. Show them you can hit the ground running!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Redpanda and being part of something big.
We think you need these skills to ace Forward Deployed Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Forward Deployed Engineer role. Highlight your experience with production software, data pipelines, and customer-facing communication. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re building at Redpanda!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t hold back on detailing your engineering depth! Share specific examples of projects where you’ve built agents or integrations, especially in unfamiliar environments. We love seeing how you’ve tackled challenges and delivered results in production.
Communicate Clearly:Your written application is your first chance to communicate with us, so make it count! Be clear and concise about your experiences and how they relate to the role. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can be a credible technical partner with our customers.
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 you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our fast-moving, people-first organisation!
How to prepare for a job interview at Redpanda Data
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
As a Forward Deployed Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your engineering depth. Brush up on your experience with backend systems, data pipelines, and APIs. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you’ve built production-quality software and how you tackled challenges in unfamiliar environments.
✨Understand the Customer's Needs
Since you'll be working directly with customers, it's crucial to understand their business logic and constraints. Research the company and its industry beforehand. Prepare to discuss how you can integrate Redpanda ADP into their existing systems and what unique solutions you can offer.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
You'll be the technical voice for Redpanda, so practice articulating complex ideas clearly. Be prepared to explain your thought process and decisions to non-technical stakeholders. Highlight any past experiences where you successfully collaborated with customer teams and earned their trust.
✨Prepare for Real-World Scenarios
Expect to discuss real-world deployment scenarios during your interview. Think of examples where you’ve had to ramp up quickly in a new codebase or environment. Be ready to share how you ensured a smooth handoff and documented your work for future maintenance by the customer’s team.
