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RipplingRipplingSan Francisco, CA

Manager, Forward Deployed Engineering

Leads a team of forward deployed engineers to deliver customized integrations, workflows, and solutions for customers using Rippling's platform. Requires 5+ years software development experience in languages like Python/JavaScript and 1-3 years leading engineers, with strong customer-facing skills.

Salary not listed
Hybrid5+ YOEEngineering Management

About the role

Responsibilities

Lead and develop a high-performing team of FDEs

  • Provide day-to-day guidance, mentorship, and coaching
  • Drive performance management, feedback, and career development
  • Build a strong team culture focused on ownership and customer impact

Own execution across customer engagements

  • Ensure successful delivery of complex implementations across multiple projects
  • Oversee development of custom integrations, workflows, applications, and analytics using Rippling products and languages like Python, Javascript, Ruby, Java, Go, C or C++
  • Maintain high standards for quality, reliability, and scalability

Drive operational excellence

  • Improve team-level processes, delivery consistency, and execution rigor
  • Manage resourcing, prioritization, and execution across concurrent engagements
  • Identify and resolve delivery bottlenecks and cross-team dependencies

Partner cross-functionally

  • Collaborate with Account Management, Product, Engineering, and CX teams
  • Escalate and resolve issues impacting customer delivery
  • Ensure alignment between customer needs and product capabilities

Engage directly with customers when needed

  • Support critical engagements and high-priority accounts
  • Help scope solutions and guide technical decision-making
  • Ensure strong customer outcomes and satisfaction

Contribute to team hiring and growth

  • Participate in recruiting and onboarding new FDEs
  • Maintain a high bar for technical and customer-facing talent

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field
  • 5+ years of software development experience with strong proficiency in one or more of: Python, Javascript, Ruby, Java, Go, C or C++, along with SQL and data modeling
  • 1–3+ years of experience leading or mentoring engineers (formal or informal leadership)
  • Proven ability to deliver complex technical projects in fast-paced environments
  • Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to navigate ambiguity and prioritize effectively
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, especially in customer-facing contexts
  • Customer-centric mindset with experience working directly with external stakeholders
  • Willingness to travel to client sites as needed (up to ~25%)

Skills

PythonJavaScriptRubyJavaGoC++SQLData Modeling

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