Forward Deployed Engineer
WFA Digital Insight
The demand for skilled engineers who can drive customer outcomes and product direction grew significantly in 2025, with a 28% increase in job postings. As companies like GitLab continue to innovate and expand their offerings, the need for forward-thinking engineers has never been more pressing. With over 50 million registered users, GitLab is a leader in the DevSecOps space, and this role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of customer needs, product development, and engineering expertise. Before applying, candidates should be aware of the importance of AI-driven productivity, continuous knowledge exchange, and collaboration in GitLab's high-performance culture.
Job Description
About the Role
As a Forward Deployed Engineer at GitLab, you will be working at the forefront of customer outcomes, product direction, and hands-on engineering. This role is focused on strategic accounts in the AMER region, where you will help customers adopt GitLab and the GitLab Duo Agent Platform in complex enterprise environments. You will be responsible for guiding deep technical discovery, designing practical adoption paths, and building reusable solutions that help customers move from early platform use into broader CI/CD, security, compliance, and AI-enabled workflows.The role requires a unique blend of technical expertise, business acumen, and collaborative skills. You will be working closely with customer stakeholders, GitLab account teams, and engineering teams to prioritize use cases, design and build proofs of concept, and deliver scalable solutions. Your work will have a direct impact on the customer's ability to achieve their business goals, and you will be instrumental in shaping the future of GitLab's products and services.
The Forward Deployed Engineer role is not a traditional consulting role, but rather a strategic position that requires a deep understanding of customer needs, product capabilities, and engineering expertise. You will be expected to use customer issues to create durable technical assets, shape architecture patterns, and influence upstream product and engineering decisions.
What You Will Do
- Conduct deep technical discovery in selected strategic accounts to assess platform readiness, evaluate constraints, and identify high-value adoption opportunities across GitLab and GitLab Duo Agent Platform.
- Lead architecture and delivery design for complex enterprise environments where platform migration, regulated requirements, and product boundaries intersect.
- Partner with customer stakeholders and GitLab account teams to prioritize use cases based on business impact, technical feasibility, repeatability, and long-term platform value.
- Design and build bounded proofs, prototypes, deployment patterns, and reusable accelerators across source code management, CI/CD, security, compliance, and AI-enabled workflows.
- Architect self-managed and enterprise deployments, including runners, access controls, network boundaries, observability, AI Gateway, model connectivity, and governance controls.
- Turn recurring field patterns into reusable technical assets, and influence upstream product and engineering decisions when field needs point to a broader solution.
- Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure that customer needs are addressed in product development, and that product capabilities are effectively communicated to customers.
- Develop and maintain a deep understanding of GitLab's products and services, including the GitLab Duo Agent Platform, and stay up-to-date with industry trends and emerging technologies.
What We Are Looking For
- 5+ years of experience in a technical role, with a focus on software development, engineering, or a related field.
- Strong technical skills, including proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++.
- Experience with DevSecOps tools and platforms, including GitLab, Jenkins, Docker, and Kubernetes.
- Strong understanding of cloud computing platforms, including AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
- Experience with AI and machine learning technologies, including TensorFlow, PyTorch, or scikit-learn.
- Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
- Experience working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, with a focus on delivering high-quality solutions quickly.
- Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex technical issues and develop creative solutions.
Nice to Have
- Experience with agile development methodologies, including Scrum or Kanban.
- Knowledge of IT service management frameworks, including ITIL or COBIT.
- Experience with cloud security and compliance, including AWS Well-Architected Framework or Azure SecurityCenter.
- Familiarity with containerization and orchestration tools, including Docker and Kubernetes.
- Experience with continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.
Benefits and Perks
- Competitive salary and bonus structure.
- Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance.
- Flexible work arrangements, including remote work options and flexible hours.
- Professional development opportunities, including training, mentorship, and conference attendance.
- Access to cutting-edge technologies and tools, including GitLab's own products and services.
- Collaborative and dynamic work environment, with a focus on innovation and teamwork.
- Recognition and reward programs, including employee recognition and bonus schemes.
How to Stand Out
- Tip: Make sure to highlight your technical skills and experience in your resume and cover letter, as well as any relevant certifications or training.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with DevSecOps tools and platforms, including GitLab, and how you have applied them in previous roles.
- Show enthusiasm and interest in GitLab's products and services, and be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to the company's mission and values.
- Tip: Practice your problem-solving skills, as you will be asked to analyze complex technical issues and develop creative solutions during the interview process.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, and how you handle stress and pressure.
- Tip: Research the company culture and values, and be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to and thrive in a collaborative and dynamic work environment.
This is a remote position listed on WFA Digital, the platform for professionals who work from anywhere. Browse more remote jobs across all categories.