Founding Forward Deployed Engineer

Clera
San Francisco, CA
On-site

Who this role is best for

A natural match if you have experience in government technology and working directly with end users.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with experience in regulated or sensitive domains and a track record of solving real user problems
    — “Experience in regulated or sensitive domains, investigative workflows, or customer-facing field work is a plus.”
  • Individuals with a history of technical leadership or standout achievements in early-stage environments
    — “Founding-stage technical leadership or other standout technical achievements are valued.”
  • Engineers who can build practical, end-to-end solutions without needing extensive scaling design
    — “Full-stack ability to deliver end-to-end solutions, including one-off analyses or integrations that may not be designed to scale.”

Things to consider

  • Extensive travel is required, with regular on-site customer visits
    — “Travel regularly to spend time with customers and learn how they work.”
  • Must be willing to undergo background checks and clearance processes
    — “Willingness to travel extensively and support applicable background check and clearance processes.”

How to stand out

  • Highlight direct end-user collaboration and practical solution-building in your resume and interviews
    — “Work directly with law enforcement and prosecutors to understand evidence management challenges and user needs.”
  • Emphasize your ability to translate customer feedback into technical specifications and code
    — “Translate customer feedback into implemented features, pull requests, and clear technical specifications.”
  • Showcase experience in fast-paced, early-stage environments with evolving requirements
    — “Experience in fast-paced, early-stage environments, with strong autonomy and comfort navigating ambiguity.”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • solving immediate user problems
  • turning customer feedback into implemented features
Typical background
3+ years of software engineering experience

Skills & requirements

Required

Software EngineeringCustomer InteractionProduct ImprovementTechnical Leadership

Preferred

Public Safety ExperienceGovernment Technology

Stack & domain

Software EngineeringProduction SystemsEvidence ManagementCustom IntegrationsOne-off AnalysesFull-stackFast-pacedEarly-stageHigh-performingPublic SafetyGovernment TechnologyRegulatedSensitive DomainsInvestigative WorkflowsCustomer-facingTravelBackground CheckClearance ProcessesTeam PlayerAutonomyComfort Navigating AmbiguityRegulated Domains

About the role

Original posting from Clera via Ashby

ABOUT THE ROLE

Join an early-stage government technology team building software for sensitive investigative workflows. You will work closely with law enforcement and prosecutors, solving immediate user problems and turning frontline insights into product improvements that support public safety.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

  • Work directly with law enforcement and prosecutors to understand evidence management challenges and user needs.
  • Build practical solutions, including one-off analyses and custom integrations, to address urgent problems.
  • Travel regularly to spend time with customers and learn how they work.
  • Translate customer feedback into implemented features, pull requests, and clear technical specifications.
  • Help shape product direction in a fast-moving environment with evolving requirements.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

  • At least 3 years of software engineering experience building and delivering production systems.
  • Experience building software that solves real user problems and working directly with end users to turn their needs into technical solutions.
  • Full-stack ability to deliver end-to-end solutions, including one-off analyses or integrations that may not be designed to scale.
  • Experience in fast-paced, early-stage environments, with strong autonomy and comfort navigating ambiguity.
  • Strong technical background, including experience at a high-performing organization or program and at an early-stage startup.
  • Founding-stage technical leadership or other standout technical achievements are valued.
  • Interest in public safety and government technology; experience in regulated or sensitive domains, investigative workflows, or customer-facing field work is a plus.
  • Willingness to travel extensively and support applicable background check and clearance processes.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Base salary: $130,000 to $215,000 annually. The role includes a meaningful founding-level equity stake and performance-based bonuses. Visa sponsorship is available.

LOCATION

Hybrid in San Francisco, California, with New York City also listed as a secondary location. Remote work with regular travel may be considered for exceptional candidates.

Source: Clera careers (Ashby)

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