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Forward Deployed Engineer

LiveKitNew York, NY (Remote)COGs
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Salary
$180K - $320K USD
Job type
Full-time
Work mode
Remote
Posted
17 Mar 2026
Status
Open · checked 7d ago

About this role

LiveKit is seeking a Forward Deployed Engineer to work remotely out of New York, NY, partnering directly with customers to build real-time communication and voice AI applications. This position is ideal for experienced backend or infrastructure professionals who enjoy solving hands-on technical challenges and guiding developers from experimentation to production.

Role Overview

The Forward Deployed Engineer sits at the intersection of engineering, architecture, and customer implementation. The professional in this role collaborates directly with client engineering teams to design systems, prototype solutions, and resolve complex technical obstacles. The mission is to ensure developers can seamlessly build, deploy, and scale audio, video, and AI applications using the LiveKit platform.

Key Responsibilities

Collaborate remotely or on-site with customer engineering teams to design and implement real-time applications using LiveKit.
Create scalable architectures specifically tailored for voice AI, real-time media, and developer platform use cases.
Build prototype integrations, reference implementations, and sample applications to speed up customer development.
Assist clients in navigating SDKs, APIs, infrastructure, and deployment strategies for production environments.
Debug and troubleshoot complex technical issues within production systems.
Facilitate technical workshops and architecture review sessions with developer and product teams.
Convert client needs into actionable technical insights that guide product and platform development.
Partner with internal Product and Engineering groups to enhance the overall developer experience, documentation, and tooling.
Contribute code, examples, or improvements directly to the LiveKit open-source ecosystem.
Serve as a trusted advisor to help customers successfully launch and scale applications.

Requirements

A strong engineering background with 7 or more years of experience in backend or infrastructure engineering.
Proficiency in at least one modern programming language such as Go, Python, Node, Rust, or C++.
Comfort working across APIs, SDKs, distributed systems, and cloud infrastructure.
Experience in building or integrating developer platforms or real-time systems.
Ability to rapidly understand complex systems and debug issues in real-world environments.
Strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with external customer teams and internal product groups.
Comfort operating in fast-paced, low-process environments that require high ownership and initiative.
Enthusiasm for working hands-on with customers to resolve complex technical implementation challenges.

Nice to Have

Experience working with WebRTC, real-time media systems, or telephony and SIP infrastructure.
Familiarity with voice AI, conversational agents, or AI infrastructure.
Previous experience in customer-facing engineering roles like Solutions Engineer, Field Engineer, or Forward Deployed Engineer.
Experience contributing to open-source projects or developer ecosystems.
Prior experience building with or integrating the LiveKit platform.

Skills and Tools

Python
Rust
C++
Go
Node
APIs and SDKs
Distributed systems and cloud infrastructure
WebRTC and real-time media systems

Salary and Benefits

Competitive salary ranging from $180,000 to $320,000 per year in USD
Equity package
Health, dental, and vision insurance benefits
Flexible vacation policy
Opportunities to contribute to open-source software alongside world-class engineers

About the Company

LiveKit is building the foundational infrastructure layer for the agentic era of computing. Founded in 2021, the platform provides developers with everything needed to build, test, deploy, scale, and observe AI agents in production. LiveKit currently powers voice and agentic AI applications for prominent technology companies and tens of thousands of developers, facilitating billions of calls each year.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should visit the official LiveKit careers page to apply for the Forward Deployed Engineer position. Reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process can be requested by contacting recruiting@livekit.io.

Skills and tech stack

PythonRustC++

Questions candidates ask

What is the salary range for the Forward Deployed Engineer role?

The salary ranges from $180,000 to $320,000 per year in USD, depending on experience, technical depth, and interview performance.

Is this position remote?

Yes, this role is based in New York, NY with remote flexibility.

How many years of experience are required?

Candidates must have 7+ years of experience in backend or infrastructure engineering.

What programming languages are required or preferred?

Candidates should be proficient in one or more programming languages such as Go, Python, Node, Rust, or C++.

What benefits does LiveKit offer?

LiveKit offers a competitive salary and equity package, health, dental, and vision benefits, and a flexible vacation policy.

Ready to apply?

The application is on the official LiveKit careers page.

Apply on company site