Forward Deployed Engineer

About the role

Flexport is a global logistics and supply chain technology company headquartered in San Francisco, California, United States. The Forward Deployed Engineer position is a full-time role based at the San Francisco office, serving as a critical link between engineering and operations. This role involves working closely with cross-functional teams to support the deployment and ongoing operation of logistics technology solutions. The engineer serves as a technical bridge between product development and on-the-ground operational teams, ensuring that software systems meet the practical needs of real-world supply chain workflows and deliver measurable value to business stakeholders.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Partner with product and engineering teams to understand system requirements and identify the best deployment strategies for each project
• Support the full lifecycle of logistics software including installation, configuration, and ongoing maintenance in production environments across multiple regions
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues that arise during the deployment of supply chain platforms and ensure minimal service disruption
• Collaborate closely with operations teams to gather detailed feedback on software functionality, usability, and overall user experience improvements
• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation of all deployment procedures, technical configurations, and standard operating procedures for team reference
• Participate actively in code reviews and contribute meaningful improvements to existing systems to ensure code quality and reliability
• Coordinate effectively with remote engineering teams to ensure smooth and timely rollout of new features and system updates
• Monitor system performance metrics continuously and identify actionable areas for optimization across all deployed applications and services
• Assist in the structured training of internal stakeholders on new software tools, processes, and best practices for daily workflows
• Travel occasionally to client or partner sites to provide hands-on on-site technical support and gather direct operational insights

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or a related technical field from an accredited institution is required
• A strong understanding of software deployment practices and systems administration principles is essential for this position
• Prior experience working with logistics or supply chain technology platforms demonstrates relevant domain knowledge and practical skills
• Proficiency in at least one modern programming language commonly used in web application development and scripting
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and effectively to non-technical team members and business stakeholders
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills in fast-paced and dynamic working environments where priorities shift frequently and demands are high
• Familiarity with cloud-based infrastructure and deployment pipelines is considered an important qualification for success in this role
• Willingness to travel as needed for on-site support, client engagement, and collaboration with distributed operational teams

Nice to have

• Prior experience with containerization technologies and orchestration platforms such as Kubernetes is highly beneficial
• Knowledge of database management systems and SQL query languages supports effective data-driven decision making
• Exposure to agile development methodologies and continuous integration practices shows familiarity with modern software delivery
• A background in international logistics or global trade operations provides valuable context for this role
• Experience with monitoring and observability tools in production settings helps maintain system health and uptime

Skills & tools

• Programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, or Go are commonly used across the engineering organization
• Cloud platforms including Amazon Web Services or similar providers form the backbone of deployed infrastructure
• Version control systems like Git are essential tools for collaborative and iterative software development workflows
• Linux-based operating systems and command-line interfaces are standard tools used daily in this position
• Container technologies such as Docker are widely adopted to ensure consistent and reproducible deployment environments
• Monitoring and logging tools for production systems help maintain application reliability and performance standards

Practical notes

• This role is based in San Francisco, California, United States and requires regular on-site presence at the office
• The position is full-time with standard business hours, though some schedule flexibility may be available depending on team needs
• Occasional travel to client locations or partner facilities may be required as a routine part of the role responsibilities
• The hiring process includes multiple rounds of technical interviews and a comprehensive systems design evaluation component
• Flexport is a logistics technology company that connects businesses with global trade and shipping networks worldwide
• Candidates should expect a structured onboarding process that includes mentorship from senior engineers and exposure to multiple product areas within the organization