Forward Deployed Engineer

About the role

You will work as an embedded technical expert within one of Cloudflare's most important enterprise accounts, acting as the primary point of contact for complex infrastructure projects. This position combines hands-on configuration work with strategic advisory responsibilities, helping customers migrate and optimize their web infrastructure while shaping future product direction.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Serve as the dedicated technical resource for a strategic customer, guiding architectural decisions and conducting design sessions around Cloudflare Workers and Workers AI platforms
• Build and configure application security solutions, using Cloudflare Workers to manage and route global traffic
• Manage infrastructure configurations through Terraform, ensuring operational consistency across complex environments
• Function as the communication bridge between the customer and internal Cloudflare teams including Product, Support, and Engineering, advocating for customer priorities
• Handle fast-paced technical conversations primarily through Slack, providing clear direction when formal meetings are not feasible
• Apply knowledge of AI and LLM concepts to align Cloudflare capabilities with the customer's technology roadmap
• Remain with the account after migration to advise on future initiatives including Network Security and SASE adoption

Requirements

• 10+ years of customer-facing technical experience in cloud networks, web infrastructure, or security at the enterprise level
• Deep expertise in application security, including familiarity with Cloudflare Workers, Workers AI, cybersecurity principles, and cloud infrastructure
• Strong Terraform skills for implementing and maintaining complex infrastructure configurations
• Ability to build trust in high-pressure environments and establish regular communication rhythms with stakeholders
• Comfort operating in Slack-first cultures, managing technical threads and providing guidance asynchronously
• Solid understanding of AI and LLM technologies
• Knowledge of networking protocols, cybersecurity standards, and Zero Trust/SASE frameworks

Nice to have

• Background in network security or interest in transitioning application-focused environments toward SASE models
• Scripting and automation skills beyond Terraform for building proof-of-concept setups
• Experience managing or advising on project-based budgets to maximize customer investment value

Skills & tools

• Cloudflare Workers
• Workers AI
• Terraform
• Application security platforms
• Zero Trust/SASE architectures
• Networking protocols
• Slack

Practical notes

• Colorado salary range: $167,000 to $230,000 (includes on-target incentive under Sales Compensation Plan)
• New York City and New Jersey salary range: $184,000 to $253,000 (includes on-target incentive under Sales Compensation Plan)
• Equity participation available
• Benefits include medical, dental, vision, FSA, commuter accounts, fertility and family forming support, mental health resources, 401(k), ESPP, flexible PTO, and parental leave
• Candidates advancing to offer stage may be asked to attend an in-person interview at a Cloudflare office or hub
• This role may require access to U.S. export-controlled information; offers may be contingent on authorization to receive such technology without export license sponsorship

About the company

Cloudflare, Inc. is an American technology company located in San Francisco, California. Matthew Prince, Lee Holloway, and Michelle Zatlyn founded the business in 2009. The firm went public on the New York Stock Exchange in 2019 under the ticker symbol NET. The company operates primarily as a reverse proxy between website visitors and customer hosting providers. It offers content delivery network services, cloud cybersecurity, DDoS mitigation, and ICANN-accredited domain registration. These offerings improve website performance and protect against malicious online traffic. Cloudflare expanded into edge computing through its Workers platform, a public DNS resolver named 1.1.1.1, and a VPN-like service called WARP. The business integrated artificial intelligence into its infrastructure by acquiring Replicate and launching tools to manage AI bots and scrapers. According to W3Techs, Cloudflare powered approximately 21.3 percent of all internet websites in January 2026. Company executives have historically advocated for remaining a neutral infrastructure provider. However, significant public pressure led Cloudflare to terminate services for specific high-profile websites linked to hate speech and violence, such as The Daily Stormer, 8chan, and Kiwi Farms. The firm has also faced criticism and litigation regarding copyright infringement on client sites, losing a lawsuit against Japanese publishers in 2025. Significant global system outages in late 2025 disrupted services for major international platforms.