Founding Forward Deployed Engineer
- Level
- Mid
- Work type
- Hybrid · Sydney
Not stated in the posting: salary, visa.
Open. First seen 6 October 2026.
About the role
About HappyRobot
HappyRobot is the infrastructure for enterprises to build and orchestrate AI workforces. Our AI workers don't just communicate through voice and email - they make decisions, take action, and run operations autonomously across entire enterprise systems. Born in Y Combinator (S23) and backed by a16z, Base10, Prysm Capital and Eurazeo with over $200M raised, we power critical operations for global enterprises worldwide.
Happyrobot's standard text
Our platform is battle-tested in the most demanding environments, where AI has real consequences. We started in logistics, built our own voice stack, models, and orchestration layer from the ground up, and are now bringing that infrastructure to every enterprise that runs the real economy. Learn more about our vision in our manifesto.
Role Overview
We’re looking for a Forward Deployed Engineer (Founding Australia Team Member).
This will be the first technical hire in the region and the second team member locally. You’ll work directly with the Country General Manager to define how HappyRobot operates and scales in Australia.
You’ll combine strong technical ability with exceptional communication skills, working directly with enterprise customers to design, deploy, and optimize AI workers within their operations.
Beyond delivering high-quality AI deployments, you’ll help establish the local playbook — shaping how we onboard customers, deploy AI workers, create feedback loops into product, and build the foundation for future hires in the region.
At HappyRobot, there’s no bureaucracy or rigid hierarchy. We operate as builders — we execute, we ship, we take ownership, and we care deeply about customer outcomes.
What You’ll Do
- Customer-Facing Engineering – Work closely with customers from onboarding to ongoing usage, helping them integrate and optimize our AI solutions.
- Technical Development – Build new features, MVPs, and scalable solutions that directly impact customer outcomes.
- Full-Stack Development – Utilize React, TypeScript, Node.js, and Python to develop robust applications and tools.
- AI/ML Applications – Design, implement, and iterate on AI/ML solutions, including LLM prompting, tuning of voices, and transcribers to optimize use cases.
- Integration & APIs – Manage APIs and integrations with third-party systems to ensure seamless functionality for customers.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration – Partner with Product, Engineering, and Customer Success teams to deliver tailored solutions.
- Iterative Problem-Solving – Continuously iterate and improve AI solutions based on customer feedback and evolving requirements.
- Project Management – Prioritize and manage multiple projects under tight deadlines while maintaining high-quality results.
Must Have
- Strong full-stack experience: React, TypeScript, Node.js.
- Hands-on proficiency in Python.
- Experience building AI/ML applications, including LLM prompting and tuning.
- Ability to manage APIs and integrate with third-party systems.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
- Proven ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.
- Founder mindset: highly independent, takes ownership, and thrives in a fast-paced environment.
Why join us?
- Join a world-class team of engineers and builders.
- Backed by top investors including a16z, Y Combinator, Base10, Prysm Capital and Eurazeo.
- Have ownership and autonomy of projects and are encouraged to ship.
- Comprehensive Benefits including healthcare, dental, vision coverage.
- Competitive salary + equity in a high-growth startup.
Our Operating Principles
Happyrobot's standard text
Extreme Ownership
We take full responsibility for our work, outcomes, and team success. No excuses, no blame-shifting — if something needs fixing, we own it and make it better. This means stepping up, even when it’s not “your job.” If a ball is dropped, we pick it up. If a customer is unhappy, we fix it. If a process is broken, we redesign it. We don’t wait for someone else to solve it — we lead with accountability and expect the same from those around us.
Craftsmanship
Putting care and intention into every task, striving for excellence, and taking deep ownership of the quality and outcome of your work. Craftsmanship means never settling for “just fine.” We sweat the details because details compound. Whether it’s a product feature, an internal doc, or a sales call — we treat it as a reflection of our standards. We aim to deliver jaw-dropping customer experiences by being curious, meticulous, and proud of what we build — even when nobody’s watching.
We are “majos”
Be friendly & have fun with your coworkers. Always be genuine & honest, but kind. “Majo” is our way of saying: be a good human. Be approachable, helpful, and warm. We’re building something ambitious, and it’s easier (and more fun) when we enjoy the ride together. We give feedback with kindness, challenge each other with respect, and celebrate wins together without ego.
Urgency with Focus
Create the highest impact in the shortest amount of time. Move fast, but in the right direction. We operate with speed because time is our most limited resource. But speed without focus is chaos. We prioritize ruthlessly, act decisively, and stay aligned. We aim for high leverage: the biggest results from the simplest, smartest actions. We’re running a high-speed marathon — not a sprint with no strategy.
Talent Density and Meritocracy
Hire only people who can raise the average; ‘exceptional performance is the passing grade.’ Ability trumps seniority. We believe the best teams are built on talent density — every hire should raise the bar. We reward contribution, not titles or tenure. We give ownership to those who earn it, and we all hold each other to a high standard. A-players want to work with other A-players — that’s how we win.
First-Principles Thinking
Strip a problem to physics-level facts, ignore industry dogma, rebuild the solution from scratch. We don’t copy-paste solutions. We go back to basics, ask why things are the way they are, and rebuild from the ground up if needed. This mindset pushes us to innovate, challenge stale assumptions, and move faster than incumbents. It’s how we build what others think is impossible.
The personal data provided in your application and during the selection process will be processed by Happyrobot, Inc., acting as Data Controller.
By sending us your CV, you consent to the processing of your personal data for the purpose of evaluating and selecting you as a candidate for the position. Your personal data will be treated confidentially and will only be used for the recruitment process of the selected job offer.
In relation to the period of conservation of your personal data, these will be eliminated after three months of inactivity in compliance with the GDPR and legislation on the protection of personal data.
If you wish to exercise your rights of access, rectification, deletion, portability or opposition in relation to your personal data, you can do so through security@happyrobot.ai subject to the GDPR.
For more information, visit https://www.happyrobot.ai/privacy-policy
By submitting your request, you confirm that you have read and understood this clause and that you agree to the processing of your personal data as described.
What this role asks for
In most of Happyrobot's ads
LLM · Machine Learning · Python · TypeScript
Named in most of its open postings, whatever the role.
41% of this description is written for the role. The rest is Happyrobot's standard text, folded away below.
Read against Happyrobot's other open postings on this site.
The team: Deployment Engineer HIRES STEADILY
This role is one of 17 open in Deployment Engineer. 2 were posted in the last 30 days and the oldest in March: a team that hires all year rather than one being built.
WHAT THE TEAM WORKS WITH, ACROSS ITS POSTINGS
JavaScript (17 of 17), LLM (17 of 17), Machine Learning (17 of 17), Node.js (17 of 17), Python (17 of 17), React (17 of 17), TypeScript (17 of 17)
OTHER ROLES ON THIS TEAM
- Forward Deployed Engineer - German Speaking posted Oct 9
- Forward Deployed Engineer posted Aug 25
- Forward Deployed Engineer posted Aug 6
- Founding Forward Deployed Engineer - French Speaking posted Jun 30
- Founding Forward Deployed Engineer - French Speaking posted Jun 30
- Forward Deployed Engineer posted Jun 12
- Forward Deployed Engineer posted May 13
- Forward Deployed Engineer posted Apr 22
- Forward Deployed Engineer posted Apr 9
- Forward Deployed Engineer posted Apr 9
- Forward Deployed Engineer posted Mar 24
- Forward Deployed Engineer - German Speaking posted Feb 18
- Forward Deployed Engineer - German Speaking posted Dec 9
- Founding Forward Deployed Engineer - French Speaking posted Oct 1
- Forward Deployed Engineer posted Jun 16
- Forward Deployed Engineer posted Mar 10
From the team and dates on Happyrobot's own job board.
Salary context
14 other open postings titled Founding Forward Deployed Engineer state a salary: median USD 160,000 to USD 250,000 a year.
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