Forward Deployed Engineer

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 wants to work directly alongside the people using what you build. As a Forward Deployed Engineer, you will be embedded with our customers' data engineering, data science, and machine learning teams and write code that connects Chalk to their unique infrastructure and use cases. As the subject matter expert in the room, you will work with these data teams to build efficient ML and AI systems. When a customer needs something that Chalk doesn't do yet, you will prove out that new capability and personally build the first version into our platform, where it becomes available to every customer. Your work will power 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 across the entire code base 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 - Discover customer's needs and then design, implement, and ship new features for customers - 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