Forward Deployed Engineer

We're living through a fundamental shift in how people discover, evaluate, and purchase products. The next generation doesn't respond to traditional marketing -- they build relationships with brands through authentic social interactions, seek recommendations from communities they trust, and expect personalized experiences that feel human, not corporate.

At Nectar Social, we're building the AI-native social operating system that enables this new era of commerce. We believe every social interaction should deepen the relationship between brands and their communities while creating genuine value for both sides.

Founded by ex-Meta product and engineering leaders, we've raised over $30M in total capital from investors including GV and True Ventures. We work with brands like Oura Health, Caraway, e.l.f. Cosmetics, Kosas, OLIPOP, and many more. We're building the future of social commerce -- where community, conversation, and commerce converge.

As a Forward Deployed Engineer, you'll be the technical bridge between Nectar's platform and our most strategic enterprise customers. You'll own end-to-end technical success from initial deployment through production optimization.

This is a hybrid role combining deep technical execution with close customer partnership. You'll deploy, integrate, and optimize Nectar within complex customer environments while ensuring they realize meaningful value from the platform.

Think of it like being a startup CTO embedded with our largest customers: you'll work in small, agile teams, own high-impact technical projects end-to-end, and directly influence both customer outcomes and product direction.

• Own enterprise deployments end-to-end, leading technical implementations for strategic accounts from pilot through production

• Build custom integrations with customer systems including CRMs, CDPs, e-commerce platforms, Shopify, and social platform APIs

• Configure and optimize AI agents for customer-specific workflows, brand voice, and use cases

• Translate customer feedback and field learnings into product improvements and platform features

• Partner with go-to-market teams to support sales cycles and scope technical implementations

• Embed with customers to understand their workflows, technical environments, and opportunities for automation
  

• 3+ years of software engineering experience, ideally in customer-facing or platform roles

• Strong TypeScript skills and experience working with APIs, data pipelines, and system integrations

• Experience working with LLMs, AI agents, or machine learning systems in production environments

• Excellent communication skills and comfort working with both engineers and executive stakeholders

• Startup mentality with high ownership, bias toward action, and comfort operating in ambiguity

• Willingness to travel up to 25% to customer sites
  

• Prior experience as a Forward Deployed Engineer, Solutions Engineer, or Technical Consultant

• Experience working with Shopify, commerce workflows, or e-commerce integrations
  

• Competitive compensation and early equity

• Health, vision, and dental benefits + 401(k) match

• Hybrid work schedule (4 days in office) with 3 flex remote days per quarter (available after 3 months)

• Comprehensive stipends: $1,000/month housing stipend for living near the office, $50/month mobile stipend, $50/month internet stipend for remote employees, and commuter benefits (train stipend or Palo Alto parking permit reimbursement)

• Free lunch in the heart of University Ave. in Palo Alto