Founding Forward Deployed Engineer
Clera
About the role
About the Role
Join an early-stage government technology company building software to help law enforcement and prosecutors manage and analyze evidence. As a founding forward deployed engineer, you will work closely with users, address their immediate technical needs, and bring frontline insights into product decisions.
What You'll Do
Work directly with law enforcement and prosecutors to understand evidence management challenges and user needs.
Build practical solutions for specific problems, including one-off analyses and custom integrations.
Travel regularly to spend time with customers and learn from their workflows.
Translate customer feedback into implemented features, pull requests, and clear technical specifications.
Adapt quickly as priorities and requirements evolve in an early-stage environment.
What We're Looking For
At least 3 years of software engineering experience building and delivering production systems, including experience at an early-stage startup.
Experience building software that directly addresses user needs and working with end users to turn problems into technical solutions.
Ability to work across the stack and deliver end-to-end solutions, including targeted analyses or integrations that may not be intended to scale.
Strong autonomy, a bias toward action, and comfort with ambiguity and shifting priorities.
Background in government, law enforcement, criminal justice, defense, intelligence, or other sensitive or regulated domains is useful.
Willingness to travel extensively and support applicable background check and security clearance processes.
Compensation & Benefits
Base salary is $130,000 to $215,000 annually, with founding-level equity and performance-based bonuses. Visa sponsorship is available.
Location
Hybrid in San Francisco, California. New York City is also listed as a location, and remote work with regular travel may be considered for exceptional candidates.
Responsibilities
- Work with law enforcement and prosecutors to understand evidence management challenges and user needs
- Build practical solutions, custom integrations, and targeted analyses
- Travel regularly to work with customers and understand their workflows
- Turn customer feedback into product features, pull requests, and technical specifications
- Adapt to evolving priorities in an early-stage environment
Qualifications
- At least 3 years of software engineering experience building and delivering production systems
- Experience working at an early-stage startup
- Experience building software based on end-user needs and translating problems into technical solutions
- Ability to deliver end-to-end solutions across the stack, including targeted analyses and integrations
- Autonomy, initiative, and comfort with ambiguity and changing priorities
- Willingness to travel extensively and complete applicable background checks and security clearance processes
- Experience in government, law enforcement, criminal justice, defense, intelligence, or other sensitive or regulated domains is useful
Benefits
- Founding-level equity
- Performance-based bonuses
- Visa sponsorship available
Skills mentioned
About Clera
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