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Founding Forward Deployed Engineer

Clera
San Francisco Posted Oct 29, 2026
Full-timeOn-site

About this 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.

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