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Forward Deployed Engineer Careers at Handshake - San Francisco, California | Apply Now!

Handshake

Forward Deployed Engineer Careers at Handshake - San Francisco, California | Apply Now!

full-timePosted: Feb 9, 2026

Job Description

Forward Deployed Engineer at Handshake: Shape the Future of AI Careers

Role Overview

As a Forward Deployed Engineer at Handshake, you'll be at the forefront of bridging the gap between cutting-edge AI technology and real-world application. This unique role combines deep engineering expertise with direct customer engagement, allowing you to shape the deployment and impact of AI solutions for leading AI labs. You'll collaborate closely with these partners to understand their technical challenges and design innovative solutions that directly improve their workflows and model performance. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment and is passionate about building scalable, reliable systems.

A Day in the Life

Imagine starting your day by meeting with a top AI lab to discuss their latest challenges in deploying a new large language model. You'll delve into their technical infrastructure, identify bottlenecks, and brainstorm potential solutions. In the afternoon, you'll be heads-down in code, prototyping a new feature or optimizing an existing one. You'll also be documenting your work, creating technical playbooks that can be used for future deployments. Your day will be a mix of customer interaction, problem-solving, coding, and collaboration with internal and external teams.

Why San Francisco?

San Francisco is the epicenter of the AI revolution, home to countless AI labs, startups, and research institutions. Being based in San Francisco puts you at the heart of this innovation, giving you access to a vibrant community of engineers, researchers, and entrepreneurs. Handshake's San Francisco office provides a dynamic and collaborative environment, fostering creativity and innovation. The location also offers numerous opportunities for networking, attending industry events, and staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in AI.

Career Path

The Forward Deployed Engineer role offers a clear path for career growth. You could progress to a Senior Engineer role, taking on more complex projects and mentoring junior engineers. You might also move into a Technical Lead position, leading a team of engineers and driving architectural decisions. Alternatively, you could transition into a Solutions Architect role, focusing on designing and implementing end-to-end solutions for Handshake's customers. The possibilities are vast, and Handshake is committed to supporting your career development.

Salary & Benefits

Handshake offers a competitive salary and benefits package, recognizing the value and expertise that Forward Deployed Engineers bring to the company. The salary range for this role is typically between $120,000 and $200,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications. In addition to salary, Handshake provides comprehensive health insurance, generous paid time off, a 401(k) plan with company match, employee stock options, and various other perks designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

Our Mission

Handshake's mission is to democratize opportunity and empower every individual to build a fulfilling career. As a Forward Deployed Engineer, you'll be directly contributing to this mission by enabling leading AI labs to deploy their technologies more effectively, ultimately creating new opportunities for individuals in the AI economy. You'll be shaping the future of work and helping to create a more equitable and accessible career landscape.

How to Apply

To apply for the Forward Deployed Engineer position at Handshake, please submit your resume and cover letter through our online application portal. In your cover letter, highlight your relevant experience, technical skills, and passion for AI. Be sure to explain why you're interested in working at Handshake and how you can contribute to our mission.

FAQ

  1. What is Handshake? Handshake is the career network for the AI economy, connecting students, alumni, and professionals with employers and educational institutions.
  2. What is a Forward Deployed Engineer? A Forward Deployed Engineer works directly with customers to understand their technical challenges and design solutions that improve their workflows and model performance.
  3. What skills are required for this role? Strong proficiency in ReactJS, TypeScript, relational databases, cloud infrastructure, and excellent communication skills are essential.
  4. What is the location of this role? This role is based in San Francisco, CA, and requires 5 days/week in-office presence.
  5. What is the salary range for this role? The salary range is typically between $120,000 and $200,000 per year, depending on experience.
  6. What benefits does Handshake offer? Handshake offers comprehensive health insurance, generous paid time off, a 401(k) plan, employee stock options, and various other perks.
  7. What is the career path for this role? You can progress to Senior Engineer, Technical Lead, or Solutions Architect roles, among others.
  8. What is Handshake's mission? Handshake's mission is to democratize opportunity and empower every individual to build a fulfilling career.
  9. How do I apply for this role? Submit your resume and cover letter through our online application portal.
  10. What is the work environment like at Handshake? Handshake offers a dynamic, collaborative, and inclusive work environment.

Locations

  • San Francisco, California, United States

Salary

Estimated Salary Rangehigh confidence

120,000 - 200,000 USD / yearly

Source: ai estimated

* This is an estimated range based on market data and may vary based on experience and qualifications.

Skills Required

  • ReactJSintermediate
  • TypeScriptintermediate
  • Relational Databasesintermediate
  • PostgreSQLintermediate
  • Data Modelingintermediate
  • Cloud Infrastructureintermediate
  • AWSintermediate
  • GCPintermediate
  • Deployment Pipelinesintermediate
  • Frontend Developmentintermediate
  • Full-Stack Developmentintermediate
  • LLMsintermediate
  • AI-powered Productsintermediate
  • Component Librariesintermediate
  • Design Systemsintermediate
  • Performance Optimizationintermediate
  • Scaling Applicationsintermediate
  • Customer Interactionintermediate
  • Solution Deploymentintermediate
  • Technical Communicationintermediate
  • Collaborationintermediate
  • Problem-Solvingintermediate
  • Prototypingintermediate
  • Testingintermediate
  • Documentationintermediate

Required Qualifications

  • 2-4 years of professional software engineering experience (experience)
  • Experience in a role involving direct customer interaction or solution deployment (experience)
  • Proficiency with ReactJS and TypeScript (experience)
  • Understanding of usability and accessibility (experience)
  • Solid understanding of relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL) and data modeling (experience)
  • Familiarity with cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP) and deployment pipelines (experience)
  • Passion for clean, maintainable code (experience)
  • Experience building reliable, performant systems (experience)
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills (experience)
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment (experience)
  • Focus on continuous learning and improvement (experience)
  • Experience delivering production systems for LLMs or other AI-powered products (Extra Credit) (experience)
  • Familiarity with component libraries and design systems (Extra Credit) (experience)
  • Exposure to performance optimization and scaling (Extra Credit) (experience)

Responsibilities

  • Work with partner AI labs and internal teams to identify needs and gather requirements.
  • Design effective solutions to address technical challenges.
  • Work with custom asks from customers to rapidly design, prototype, and deploy tailored solutions.
  • Address unique and high-impact challenges.
  • Devise solutions to complex technical challenges.
  • Take ownership of delivery from concept through deployment.
  • Rapidly prototype, test, and iterate on tools based on real-time feedback.
  • Contribute to architectural decisions.
  • Establish best practices for reliability, scalability, and security in high-impact deployments.
  • Document solutions and create technical playbooks for repeatable, scalable deployment processes.
  • Engage directly with customers to understand their most pressing technical challenges.
  • Design and deploy solutions that directly impact customer workflows and model performance.

Benefits

  • general: Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
  • general: Generous paid time off (PTO) and holidays
  • general: 401(k) plan with company match
  • general: Employee stock options
  • general: Professional development opportunities
  • general: Wellness programs and resources
  • general: Commuter benefits
  • general: Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
  • general: Life insurance and disability coverage
  • general: Parental leave
  • general: Company-sponsored events and activities
  • general: Snacks and beverages in the office
  • general: Opportunity to work with cutting-edge AI technology
  • general: Collaborative and inclusive work environment
  • general: Impactful work that shapes the future of careers in the AI economy

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EngineeringAISoftware DevelopmentSan FranciscoForward Deployed EngineerAI EngineerSoftware EngineerSan Francisco JobsHandshake CareersAI DevelopmentReactJS JobsTypeScript JobsCloud Infrastructure JobsPostgreSQL JobsData Modeling JobsAI LabsCareer NetworkAI EconomyTechnical SolutionsCustomer EngagementFull-Stack EngineerFrontend EngineerBackend EngineerMachine Learning EngineerDeep Learning EngineerArtificial IntelligenceRemote JobsEngineering JobsEntry-Level EngineerMid-Level EngineerEdTechCareer PlatformEngineeringProduct

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Handshake logo

Forward Deployed Engineer Careers at Handshake - San Francisco, California | Apply Now!

Handshake

Forward Deployed Engineer Careers at Handshake - San Francisco, California | Apply Now!

full-timePosted: Feb 9, 2026

Job Description

Forward Deployed Engineer at Handshake: Shape the Future of AI Careers

Role Overview

As a Forward Deployed Engineer at Handshake, you'll be at the forefront of bridging the gap between cutting-edge AI technology and real-world application. This unique role combines deep engineering expertise with direct customer engagement, allowing you to shape the deployment and impact of AI solutions for leading AI labs. You'll collaborate closely with these partners to understand their technical challenges and design innovative solutions that directly improve their workflows and model performance. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment and is passionate about building scalable, reliable systems.

A Day in the Life

Imagine starting your day by meeting with a top AI lab to discuss their latest challenges in deploying a new large language model. You'll delve into their technical infrastructure, identify bottlenecks, and brainstorm potential solutions. In the afternoon, you'll be heads-down in code, prototyping a new feature or optimizing an existing one. You'll also be documenting your work, creating technical playbooks that can be used for future deployments. Your day will be a mix of customer interaction, problem-solving, coding, and collaboration with internal and external teams.

Why San Francisco?

San Francisco is the epicenter of the AI revolution, home to countless AI labs, startups, and research institutions. Being based in San Francisco puts you at the heart of this innovation, giving you access to a vibrant community of engineers, researchers, and entrepreneurs. Handshake's San Francisco office provides a dynamic and collaborative environment, fostering creativity and innovation. The location also offers numerous opportunities for networking, attending industry events, and staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in AI.

Career Path

The Forward Deployed Engineer role offers a clear path for career growth. You could progress to a Senior Engineer role, taking on more complex projects and mentoring junior engineers. You might also move into a Technical Lead position, leading a team of engineers and driving architectural decisions. Alternatively, you could transition into a Solutions Architect role, focusing on designing and implementing end-to-end solutions for Handshake's customers. The possibilities are vast, and Handshake is committed to supporting your career development.

Salary & Benefits

Handshake offers a competitive salary and benefits package, recognizing the value and expertise that Forward Deployed Engineers bring to the company. The salary range for this role is typically between $120,000 and $200,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications. In addition to salary, Handshake provides comprehensive health insurance, generous paid time off, a 401(k) plan with company match, employee stock options, and various other perks designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

Our Mission

Handshake's mission is to democratize opportunity and empower every individual to build a fulfilling career. As a Forward Deployed Engineer, you'll be directly contributing to this mission by enabling leading AI labs to deploy their technologies more effectively, ultimately creating new opportunities for individuals in the AI economy. You'll be shaping the future of work and helping to create a more equitable and accessible career landscape.

How to Apply

To apply for the Forward Deployed Engineer position at Handshake, please submit your resume and cover letter through our online application portal. In your cover letter, highlight your relevant experience, technical skills, and passion for AI. Be sure to explain why you're interested in working at Handshake and how you can contribute to our mission.

FAQ

  1. What is Handshake? Handshake is the career network for the AI economy, connecting students, alumni, and professionals with employers and educational institutions.
  2. What is a Forward Deployed Engineer? A Forward Deployed Engineer works directly with customers to understand their technical challenges and design solutions that improve their workflows and model performance.
  3. What skills are required for this role? Strong proficiency in ReactJS, TypeScript, relational databases, cloud infrastructure, and excellent communication skills are essential.
  4. What is the location of this role? This role is based in San Francisco, CA, and requires 5 days/week in-office presence.
  5. What is the salary range for this role? The salary range is typically between $120,000 and $200,000 per year, depending on experience.
  6. What benefits does Handshake offer? Handshake offers comprehensive health insurance, generous paid time off, a 401(k) plan, employee stock options, and various other perks.
  7. What is the career path for this role? You can progress to Senior Engineer, Technical Lead, or Solutions Architect roles, among others.
  8. What is Handshake's mission? Handshake's mission is to democratize opportunity and empower every individual to build a fulfilling career.
  9. How do I apply for this role? Submit your resume and cover letter through our online application portal.
  10. What is the work environment like at Handshake? Handshake offers a dynamic, collaborative, and inclusive work environment.

Locations

  • San Francisco, California, United States

Salary

Estimated Salary Rangehigh confidence

120,000 - 200,000 USD / yearly

Source: ai estimated

* This is an estimated range based on market data and may vary based on experience and qualifications.

Skills Required

  • ReactJSintermediate
  • TypeScriptintermediate
  • Relational Databasesintermediate
  • PostgreSQLintermediate
  • Data Modelingintermediate
  • Cloud Infrastructureintermediate
  • AWSintermediate
  • GCPintermediate
  • Deployment Pipelinesintermediate
  • Frontend Developmentintermediate
  • Full-Stack Developmentintermediate
  • LLMsintermediate
  • AI-powered Productsintermediate
  • Component Librariesintermediate
  • Design Systemsintermediate
  • Performance Optimizationintermediate
  • Scaling Applicationsintermediate
  • Customer Interactionintermediate
  • Solution Deploymentintermediate
  • Technical Communicationintermediate
  • Collaborationintermediate
  • Problem-Solvingintermediate
  • Prototypingintermediate
  • Testingintermediate
  • Documentationintermediate

Required Qualifications

  • 2-4 years of professional software engineering experience (experience)
  • Experience in a role involving direct customer interaction or solution deployment (experience)
  • Proficiency with ReactJS and TypeScript (experience)
  • Understanding of usability and accessibility (experience)
  • Solid understanding of relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL) and data modeling (experience)
  • Familiarity with cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP) and deployment pipelines (experience)
  • Passion for clean, maintainable code (experience)
  • Experience building reliable, performant systems (experience)
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills (experience)
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment (experience)
  • Focus on continuous learning and improvement (experience)
  • Experience delivering production systems for LLMs or other AI-powered products (Extra Credit) (experience)
  • Familiarity with component libraries and design systems (Extra Credit) (experience)
  • Exposure to performance optimization and scaling (Extra Credit) (experience)

Responsibilities

  • Work with partner AI labs and internal teams to identify needs and gather requirements.
  • Design effective solutions to address technical challenges.
  • Work with custom asks from customers to rapidly design, prototype, and deploy tailored solutions.
  • Address unique and high-impact challenges.
  • Devise solutions to complex technical challenges.
  • Take ownership of delivery from concept through deployment.
  • Rapidly prototype, test, and iterate on tools based on real-time feedback.
  • Contribute to architectural decisions.
  • Establish best practices for reliability, scalability, and security in high-impact deployments.
  • Document solutions and create technical playbooks for repeatable, scalable deployment processes.
  • Engage directly with customers to understand their most pressing technical challenges.
  • Design and deploy solutions that directly impact customer workflows and model performance.

Benefits

  • general: Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
  • general: Generous paid time off (PTO) and holidays
  • general: 401(k) plan with company match
  • general: Employee stock options
  • general: Professional development opportunities
  • general: Wellness programs and resources
  • general: Commuter benefits
  • general: Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
  • general: Life insurance and disability coverage
  • general: Parental leave
  • general: Company-sponsored events and activities
  • general: Snacks and beverages in the office
  • general: Opportunity to work with cutting-edge AI technology
  • general: Collaborative and inclusive work environment
  • general: Impactful work that shapes the future of careers in the AI economy

Target Your Resume for "Forward Deployed Engineer Careers at Handshake - San Francisco, California | Apply Now!" , Handshake

Get personalized recommendations to optimize your resume specifically for Forward Deployed Engineer Careers at Handshake - San Francisco, California | Apply Now!. Takes only 15 seconds!

AI-powered keyword optimization
Skills matching & gap analysis
Experience alignment suggestions

Check Your ATS Score for "Forward Deployed Engineer Careers at Handshake - San Francisco, California | Apply Now!" , Handshake

Find out how well your resume matches this job's requirements. Get comprehensive analysis including ATS compatibility, keyword matching, skill gaps, and personalized recommendations.

ATS compatibility check
Keyword optimization analysis
Skill matching & gap identification
Format & readability score

Tags & Categories

EngineeringAISoftware DevelopmentSan FranciscoForward Deployed EngineerAI EngineerSoftware EngineerSan Francisco JobsHandshake CareersAI DevelopmentReactJS JobsTypeScript JobsCloud Infrastructure JobsPostgreSQL JobsData Modeling JobsAI LabsCareer NetworkAI EconomyTechnical SolutionsCustomer EngagementFull-Stack EngineerFrontend EngineerBackend EngineerMachine Learning EngineerDeep Learning EngineerArtificial IntelligenceRemote JobsEngineering JobsEntry-Level EngineerMid-Level EngineerEdTechCareer PlatformEngineeringProduct

Answer 10 quick questions to check your fit for Forward Deployed Engineer Careers at Handshake - San Francisco, California | Apply Now! @ Handshake.

Quiz Challenge
10 Questions
~2 Minutes
Instant Score

Related Books and Jobs

No related jobs found at the moment.