Forward Deployed Engineer

AI is transforming how every company operates, but most enterprises are stuck. They want to move fast with AI agents, tools, and workflows, but they can't do it safely. We're fixing that.

Our team built AI Actions for OpenAI, shipped Zapier Agents to millions of users, and launched the first remote MCP server with Anthropic. The co-creator of MCP is on our cap table. We helped establish the protocol, and now we're building the platform enterprises need to actually use it.

Runlayer is one platform for MCPs, Skills, and Agents. Purpose-built security, fine-grained governance, and complete observability so organizations can push AI forward across the entire company without the risk. We raised $11M from Khosla Ventures and Felicis, and customers include Gusto, Instacart, and Opendoor.

We're a team of 25, mostly engineers, shipping fast. If you want to work at the center of how AI gets things done, this is the moment.

As our Forward-Deployed Engineer, you'll own the technical side of customer GTM, running POCs, troubleshooting integrations, and working shoulder-to-shoulder with customers to get them live on Runlayer.

Why You'll Thrive Here

• Impact: If a POC succeeds, you made it happen. You're directly responsible for turning prospects into customers.

• Excellence: Work alongside founders and senior engineers, learning the intersection of enterprise sales and deep technical work

• Ownership: Own customer outcomes end-to-end, from first technical deep dive through successful deployment

What You'll Do

• Own technical GTM of POCs and customer implementations

• Run pre-sales technical deep dives, demos, and architecture discussions

• Troubleshoot integrations across customer environments (IdPs, security tooling, infrastructure)

• Build one-off solutions and custom configurations for enterprise customers

• Be the technical expert in the room during sales cycles, able to handle stump questions from senior engineers

• Handle complex technical support and customer escalations

What We're Looking For

• ~4+ years experience with a CS degree from a strong program

• Background in consulting, solutions engineering, or pre-sales with real technical depth

• Can establish credibility with senior engineers and security teams

• Comfortable with ambiguity; can wing technical conversations and sell the future

• Want to use both sides of your brain: technical depth + customer-facing work

Bonus Qualifications

• Shipped production code at some point in your career

• Experience with enterprise infrastructure, identity systems, or security tooling

• Built your own side projects or have founder experience

What We Offer

We provide a competitive package designed to attract and retain top talent who can work effectively with enterprise customers.

• Competitive salary and equity — compensation that reflects your expertise and customer-facing responsibilities.

• Paid time off — 4 weeks paid vacation, paid sick leave, and paid parental leave.

• Professional development — budget for conferences, courses, and certifications in AI, enterprise software, and customer success.

• Top-tier equipment — your choice of laptop and accessories to create your ideal work environment.

• Health benefits — comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.

• Customer interaction opportunities — work directly with innovative companies and see the immediate impact of your work.

Not quite the right fit? Reach out to careers@runlayer.com with details about your experience and interests.