Forward Deployed Engineer

Job description

**About Chalk** Chalk is building the data platform that powers the future of machine learning applications. We tear down complexity, latency, and scale barriers that have traditionally constrained ML capabilities. Our platform combines Rust-speed performance with elegant tools that developers love to use. Leading companies depend on Chalk for everything from stopping fraudulent credit card swipes, verifying identities, and maximizing clean energy capture. We've recently raised a [$50 million Series A](https://www.reuters.com/business/databricks-competitor-chalk-raises-50-million-series-2025-05-28/), led by Felicis. **About the role** You are an exceptional software engineer who is able to build bespoke technical solutions and partner with machine learning teams to develop Chalk’s proprietary infrastructure. You will work with customers of Chalk to build efficient feature pipelines for problems in healthcare, finance, and recommendation systems. This role will give you a unique opportunity to work closely with customers, gathering requirements and engineering feature pipelines that support use-cases like cancer detection, fraud prevention, and product recommendation. This is your opportunity to join us in-person as an early employee and make a significant impact at a high growth start-up. **What you will do** - Write code to implement Chalk technology for Chalk customers and prospects. You will become familiar with Chalk infrastructure and find the best way to integrate and implement them in different environments - Work closely with our Engineering and Sales teams - Act as the primary technical point of contact pre-sales and post-sales (when we are onboarding a new customer or supporting an existing one) - Recommend new products to customers as their business evolves - Help interview and grow the Engineering team **What we’re looking for** - Technical background including experience writing software or building ML models - 4+ years experience of professional backend software engineering experience - Proficient in Python, SQL - Ability to collaborate effectively in teams of technical and non-technical individuals - Excellent written and verbal communication, problem-solving, storytelling, and analytical skills - Experience working closely with sales teams and customers is a plus. - Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent **Bonus points** - Previous experience working with ML/data products or services - Understanding of Machine Learning Ops/Infrastructure - Previous experience as a forward-deployed engineer in a high-growth startup focusing on Machine Learning **Benefits** ⚕️Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family 🏦 Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA) 🚌 Flex Commuter Benefits 🦮 Expert Healthcare Guidance 💵 Retirement savings 🏖️15 days of PTO and 14 company holidays each year 👶Paid parental leave 🌮 Daily lunch and dinner on Chalk 🥤Office is fully-stocked with drinks and snacks to fuel your work day. 🍽️ Staying late? Dinner is on us 🚖 Staying even later? Grab an Uber / Lyft home on Chalk 🌆Team building events & happy hours **Compensation** Chalk offers early team members a generous salary + equity package based on experience and competitive benefits. Actual compensation awarded to successful candidates will be based on several factors, including but not limited to: market, location, scope of the position and individual qualifications objectively assessed during the interview process. Our comprehensive total package plays a major role in how we recognize individuals for the impact they will have on Chalk’s growth and us achieving our goals. **Inclusivity** Chalk is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and inclusion and provide reasonable accommodations to anyone in need of individualized support.