Forward Deployed Engineer - job 1 of 2

As a Forward Deployed Engineer at Sourcegraph, you will engage directly with some of the world's most sophisticated software firms. Your main responsibilities include collaborating with clients to deploy AI-powered coding solutions, gathering feedback to improve our offerings, and leading customer engagements from start to finish. This role requires a blend of technical expertise and strong communication skills to ensure that client needs are effectively addressed.

To thrive as a Forward Deployed Engineer at Sourcegraph, candidates should possess a strong software engineering background, including hands-on coding experience. Proficiency with developer tools, code search, and AI-assisted coding is vital. Additionally, you should be comfortable in fast-paced environments and have solid problem-solving abilities, paired with excellent communication skills to facilitate collaboration between technical and non-technical stakeholders.

The Forward Deployed Engineer role at Sourcegraph requires extensive travel, typically up to 80% of your time, primarily from Monday to Thursday. This travel is essential for on-site customer engagements, where you'll work directly with clients to implement and refine our technology solutions while building relationships within their teams.

At Sourcegraph, growth opportunities for Forward Deployed Engineers are abundant. Within a short period, you will gain deep knowledge about our technology stack, and as you engage with esteemed clients, you'll identify potential for new product capabilities. Your experiences will contribute to refining the FDE program, and you will have a direct impact on customer satisfaction and company growth, paving the way for career advancement.

Sourcegraph offers a dynamic and open work environment where innovation thrives. As a Forward Deployed Engineer, you will work closely with a passionate team dedicated to transforming software development. Expect a culture that values transparency, collaboration, and a shared drive to create powerful solutions that impact the coding community positively.

When answering this question, be specific about the AI-assisted coding tools you've used, their functionalities, and your direct experience implementing or developing them. Illustrate how you’ve used them to solve real problems and the outcomes achieved to show your practical knowledge.

Showcase your interpersonal skills by discussing how you would actively listen to the client's needs, clarify their technical requirements, and propose tailored solutions. Use examples from past experiences to emphasize your ability to build relationships and trust with clients.

Discuss your method for learning new technologies, such as breaking down documentation, leveraging online courses, and engaging with community forums. Stress the importance of hands-on practice and networking with experienced colleagues for accelerated learning.

Provide a specific example of a problem, detailing the steps you took to analyze and resolve it. Highlight your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as any collaboration with teammates that may have contributed to the resolution.

Share experiences where you directly engaged with customers, detailing how you understood their requirements and delivered solutions. Highlight any technical aspects of these interactions and your ability to translate complex ideas into understandable terms for clients.

Describe your approach to time management and prioritization, possibly mentioning tools or methods you use for project tracking. Emphasize how you maintain client satisfaction while meeting deadlines.

Share a story where you faced changing requirements and how you adapted your plans or methodologies. Illustrate your flexibility and the importance of stakeholder communication in adjusting your technical approach.

Discuss aspects like user experience, integration capabilities, reliability, and the ethical implications of AI. Emphasize the importance of understanding client needs and gathering feedback to continuously improve the tools.

Show your commitment to continuous learning by detailing your methods for staying informed, like participating in industry conferences, following relevant blogs, or engaging with professional communities online.

Discuss how you value team collaboration and share ideas. Emphasize your eagerness to learn from others, mentor junior engineers, and contribute positively to the team's dynamic by fostering creativity and open communication.